General Counsel

FORMA Therapeutics, Inc (Watertown, MA) is a patient-focused, Cambridge-area, private biotechnology corporation dedicated to the discovery and advancement of life-saving therapies to patients across multiple therapeutic areas. While advancing multiple novel small molecule therapies discovered at FORMA in ongoing Phase I and Phase II clinical trials for diverse indications in oncology, hepatology and hematology, FORMA remains committed to the cutting-edge discovery of novel chemical matter for clinically relevant disease targets.  

Overview  

We are seeking a General Counsel to join our team as a strategic planning partner, member of the executive leadership team and advisor on all legal matters, including but not limited to corporate and commercial transactions, regulatory matters, compliance, corporate governance, tax, litigation, executive compensation and employment.  

Reporting to the CEO, the General Counsel will make an immediate impact on shaping the future of FORMA as the principal legal officer of the company and strategic advisor to the FORMA executive team and Board of Directors, with overall responsibility for the vision and leadership of FORMA’s global legal strategy and services and the management of legal risk throughout the organization.   

Detailed Responsibilities   

Specific responsibilities of the General Counsel will include:    

Serving as chief advisor and strategic business partner to the CEO, executive business team and the Board of Directors on all legal, corporate governance and compliance matters, including managing and supporting the Company’s practices and policies in ethics, corporate compliance and regulatory compliance.   
Assuming ultimate responsibility for ensuring the company conducts its business in compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations, while staying abreast of laws, legislative developments and developing external trends.  
Advising and counseling multiple strategic corporate governance and financing initiatives and advising on securities, tax, governance and regulatory matters, in close collaboration with CFO, investor relations, and the executive leadership team.  
Advising and counseling complex legal and business transactions, including negotiation and drafting of strategic partnership agreements, research collaboration agreements with commercial and academic partners, technology license agreements and supplychain agreements in close collaboration with cross-functional teams in business development, research, clinical development, technical operations and commercial functions.   
Leading and managing the Company’s internal legal function to ensure business objectives are met by providing hands-on, solution-oriented advice regarding all legal matters, while developing, managing and guiding a team of in-house legal
department professionals with an aim towards fully maximizing performance and capabilities.   
Advising Human Resources on executive compensation, benefits and employment law matters to ensure statutory and regulatory compliance.   
Collaborating with business partners throughout the organization to provide practical solutions to legal issues and risk management discussions.   
Managing all Company litigation, legal claims and disputes.   
Managing Legal function quality and budget while selecting, evaluating, and managing outside legal counsel and expert advisors as needed.    
  

Key Qualifications 

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to the MA state bar.   
At least 15 years of legal experience, including both Am Law 100 law firm and corporate, in-house legal experience, including experience with a pharmaceutical, biotech or related life sciences company.  
Significant legal experience with finance, capital raising and US securities laws, as well as commercial and corporate transactions, corporate and regulatory compliance, litigation management, executive compensation and corporate governance is strongly
preferred.  
Outstanding executive leadership, communication and management skills in all aspects of a legal and business environment, with proven ability to advise a successful and fast-paced company environment.  
Expertise in or a demonstrated understanding of the laws, regulations, standards and guidance governing the operation of a global life sciences company, specifically those relating to research, development, manufacturing, approval, regulation, sale and marketing of pharmaceutical products.  
Prior experience as a General Counsel and/or in a management role within the legal department of a company is strongly preferred.  
Prior in-house legal experience at pre- and post-IPO start-up or mid-sized biopharma organization is strongly preferred.  
Prior in-house experience related to NDA approval and commercial launch of new pharmaceutical products is also strongly preferred.   
  

Interpersonal Competencies & Success Factors  

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with senior business leaders and other professionals and colleagues at all levels of an organization while utilizing excellent business and legal judgment in complex situations.   
Excellent people management skills.  
Strong, pragmatic business acumen with the ability to anticipate and estimate risks strategically, be adaptable and flexible in his/her approach to successfully manage conflicting priorities while meeting scheduled deadlines, and thrive in a fast paced, dynamic and high energy environment.  
Highly organized, detail oriented in approach.  
A team player and culture builder.  
Ability to work collaboratively and as a member of a team while empowering business leaders and colleagues and emphasizing accountability.   
Unquestioned integrity, credibility and judgment.   
A willingness to lead by example, with the ability to “roll up his/her sleeves,” when needed, undertaking day-to-day legal work.