General Counsel

Karius is a venture-backed life science startup focused on transforming the way infectious diseases are diagnosed. Combining Next-Generation Sequencing and proprietary data analysis, we can identify over 1,000 pathogens from a single blood sample with typical turnaround time in one business day. By unlocking the information present in microbial cell-free DNA, we're helping doctors quickly solve their most challenging cases, with a future vision of accelerating clinical trials, discovering new microbes, and reducing patient suffering worldwide.

Position Summary:

The General Counsel will report to the Chief Executive Officer and have responsibility for both strategic and tactical legal initiatives. As a key member of the leadership team, this highly visible individual will provide effective advice and strategic support to senior leadership and the Board of Directors on company strategies. The General Counsel will be directly involved in complex business transactions, negotiating key contracts, handling employee relations issues in conjunction with human resources, corporate governance and privacy, risk management, financing activities, corporate and regulatory compliance and intellectual property.

Reports to:

Chief Executive Officer

Location:

Redwood City, CA

Responsibilities:

· Set the overall philosophy and strategy of the organization regarding all legal matters and decisions, and ensure that all practices, policies, business activities and decisions are consistent with Karius’ values and culture.

· Provide expert legal services and counsel to the business with high degree of independence.

· Provide strategic legal counseling, contract negotiations, and development and management of the Company's Corporate Compliance Program.

· Independently apply legal principles and judgment to develop legal strategies and provide expert advice on highly complex legal issues, including those that may have a significant financial impact, or which may have implications for the strategic goals, and those that involve strategic business partners.

· Prepares, drafts, reviews, negotiates and modifies a wide variety of corporate and commercial contracts and other documents with legal significance.

· Identifies the need for, initiates and directs implementation of legal policies.

· Manages the selection, work direction and expenditures of outside counsel; and the Company’s legal budget.

· Keep abreast of legal decisions and changes in laws and regulations in order to provide the most current advice to clients and ensure contract provisions compliant with relevant laws.

· Guidance on corporate matters, including management and structuring of legal entities, equity matters, and Corporate Secretary functions.

· Work effectively with the Company’s Board, providing advice and counsel, as well as reporting and communicating on key issues. Responsible for drafting and managing corporate resolutions, minutes, contracts and other documentation relating to the Board and committee activities.

· Provide strategic advice on a variety of high-level, critical and time-sensitive issues to CEO, CSO, CTO, CMO, CCO and other members of leadership team.

· Serve as member of committees, weekly product and commercial oversight meetings, and other executive teams, as needed.

Travel:

Up to 20%

Physical Requirements:

Subject to extended periods of sitting and/or standing, vision to monitor and moderate noise levels. Work is generally performed in an office environment.

Position Requirements:

· JD degree; member of CA state bar in good standing.

· 10+ years of experience in a law firm or in-house position, preferably in the life sciences industry.

· Experience in and knowledge of industry standards and regulations for and risks facing a diagnostics company.

· Experience working closely with a Board of Directors on a broad range of legal and business issues, governance matters and corporate strategy.

· Proven ability to manage complex legal transactions.

· An experienced leader, with well-honed management skills and the ability to provide clear leadership and mentorship throughout the Company.

· Experience advising all audiences on legal issues.

Personal Qualifications:

· Ability to build and maintain strong working cross-functional relationships. A natural communicator who is able to present ideas discerningly, articulately and openly with the ability to effectively influence and buy-in from individuals at all levels.

· Highly proactive self-starter who consistently delivers.

· Ability to work in high stress situations and maintain calm, thoughtful and rationale.

· Someone at ease in a changing organization and industry and able to excel by operating with a sense of urgency while remaining flexible, open-minded and adaptable.

· Role model for Karius culture and values.

Full-time

Redwood City, CA