Vice President and General Counsel

About the Role

The Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi-disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.

The mission of the Administration team is to enable the people and science of the Allen Institute. We connect teams, steward resources, and build strong systems that give our accelerators the stability and flexibility to pursue ambitious questions, collaborate across disciplines, and share their work openly.

The General Counsel (GC) serves as a strategic advisor to the senior leadership team and Board of Directors while providing practical, mission-focused legal leadership across the Institute. Reporting to the COO and serving as Corporate Secretary to the Board, the GC leads the legal function, oversees governance and compliance programs, manages enterprise risk, and supports innovation, research, and operational objectives.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Serving as a trusted legal and strategic advisor to executive leadership
• Serving as board officer to the Board of Directors, supporting Board and committee governance, fiduciary responsibilities, and corporate records
• Advising on nonprofit governance, tax-exempt status, employment matters, internal investigations, and organizational policies
• Leading and developing the in-house legal team
• Building efficient, scalable legal operations, processes, and metrics that improve service delivery and reduce organizational risk
• Managing and overseeing outside counsel and significant legal disputes
• Leading enterprise compliance programs, including research security, export controls, data privacy, AI governance, ethics, conflict of interest, and related regulatory requirements
• Overseeing enterprise risk management, crisis management, insurance, records management, and policies and procedures
• Supporting governance and compliance requirements related to employee benefit plans
• Providing strategic legal guidance in support of scientific innovation, open science initiatives, technology commercialization, and startup activities
• Directing intellectual property strategy, including protection, licensing, and technology transfer
• Advising on AI governance, cybersecurity, data use, and related regulatory frameworks
• Supporting and negotiating complex collaborations, strategic partnerships, and significant funding relationships
• Overseeing the contracts function and continuous improvement of contracting processes

Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school
• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and eligible for admission in Washington State
• 15+ years of legal experience, including at least 4 years in a senior leadership role
• Experience in both private practice and in-house legal environments, preferably within a university, research institution, nonprofit, or similarly complex organization
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional legal, compliance, and operational initiatives
• Experience communicating legal risk in practical business terms and driving organizational change
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder-management skills
• Experience leveraging technology, AI tools, and automation to improve legal operations

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience in biotechnology, life sciences, research institutions, or tax-exempt organizations
• Deep knowledge of nonprofit governance and research-related legal and regulatory frameworks
• Strong issue-spotting, analytical, and strategic problem-solving abilities
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead high-performing teams
• Excellent oral, written, and negotiation skills
• Undergraduate degree or substantive background in science, engineering, or business is a plus
• Demonstrated experience negotiating complex technology, research, or intellectual property transactions

Benefits

Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide.

Pay

Annualized Salary Range $285,650 - $424,215* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Schedule

This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with the flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.