Associate General Counsel, Corporate & Transactions

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across diverse technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR-T), and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. With three R&D sites worldwide, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue safe, efficacious, and cutting-edge therapeutics for patients globally. Legend Biotech collaborates with Janssen, part of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), combining strengths to advance immunotherapy for multiple myeloma.

About the role

The Associate General Counsel, Corporate & Transactions will be an integral member of Legend Biotech’s Legal Department, reporting to the General Counsel. This role leads the U.S. and EU contracting function, manages three direct reports, and serves as a senior legal partner to business leaders. Responsibilities include negotiating complex strategic transactions, particularly in business development and licensing, serving as the primary legal resource for the Janssen collaboration, managing U.S. and EU subsidiaries, and supporting corporate governance and projects in a fast-paced biotech environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex strategic transactions and agreements, focusing on business development and licensing to advance company objectives.
• Serve as the primary legal contact and subject matter expert for Legend’s collaboration with Janssen, including obligations, disputes, and contractual arrangements related to the BCMA program.
• Oversee the U.S. and EU contracting function, supervising and mentoring three direct reports, and managing contracting processes, policies, templates, playbooks, and contract lifecycle management systems.
• Support the General Counsel on corporate governance, securities, Board and committee matters, subsidiary management, intercompany arrangements, and other corporate projects.
• Maintain books and records for U.S. and EU subsidiaries and collaborate with tax, accounting, and other stakeholders on subsidiary governance and intercompany agreements.

Requirements

• 10+ years of relevant legal experience, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex strategic transactions, particularly in business development and licensing within the life sciences industry.
• Strong understanding of life sciences collaborations, licensing arrangements, and strategic transactions, with the ability to advise on ongoing contractual obligations and relationship management.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic, practical legal advice to senior leadership, the Board, and stakeholders across R&D, Business Development, Clinical, Medical, Commercial, Operations, and Finance functions.
• Experience in the life sciences industry, ideally with a global publicly traded company.
• Proven leadership in managing a contracting function or legal operations, including supervising, mentoring, and developing direct reports.
• J.D. degree from an accredited U.S. law school (or equivalent) with high academic achievement.
• Licensed to practice law in one or more U.S. states; admission to the New Jersey Bar or eligibility for in-house qualification in New Jersey.
• Knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment for global life sciences companies, including the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (preferred but not required).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and digital contract lifecycle management tools.
• Clear, practical communication style with strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Ability to influence and present complex information to senior leaders, proactively driving transactions and processes.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to work in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with immediate full company match.
• Eight weeks of paid parental leave after three months of employment.
• Paid time off policy including vacation, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven company holidays.
• Voluntary benefits: flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans (pet, critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity).
• Family planning and care resources, well-being initiatives, peer-to-peer recognition programs, and voluntary commuter benefits.

Pay

Base pay range: $256,073 USD – $336,097 USD. Performance-based bonus and/or equity may be available for eligible roles.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Legend Biotech participates in the E-Verify program to verify employment eligibility in compliance with federal regulations.