Legal Operations Manager

We are currently seeking a skilled and highly experienced Legal Operations Manager to join our Legal team. You will play a significant role in supporting SEC, Nasdaq, securities, and corporate governance matters for the company and its subsidiaries. In addition, this position will assist the Legal department on commercial and strategic transactions on an as-needed basis. Opportunities to expand the practice area are encouraged. Willing to train as needed.

You will leverage your background and understanding of corporate governance and securities matters to drive the business forward in its mission to deliver better drugs to patients. You will be focused on assisting the Legal team in providing business-minded solutions, comprehensive strategic and tactical advice, and the highest-quality legal services to support Absci’s delivery of next-generation biologics to patients.

Responsibilities: 

• Draft, execute, and manage the full lifecycle of contracts across functions and programs.
• Review, or assist in the review of, and negotiate a high volume of routine legal agreements, including but not limited to:
• Confidentiality Agreements (CDAs/NDAs)
• Consulting Agreements
• Work Orders and Scopes of Work (SOWs)
• Sponsored Research Agreements (SRAs)
• Master Services Agreements (MSAs)
• Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs)
• Support the legal, finance and scientific teams in executing agreements with CROs, academic collaborators, vendors, and consultants.
• Provide guidance to stakeholders on contractual rights and responsibilities.
• Assist with preparation and management of board and committee minutes, agendas, reporting calendars, written consents, routine legal resolutions, secretary certificates, powers of attorney, and other board documents.
• Support the preparation and filing of Form 8-Ks, 10-K, 10-Qs, Section 16 reporting, proxy statements and other SEC filing documents, including assisting the Disclosure Committee. 
• Support the coordination and execution of board meetings, including preparation and distribution of materials through the electronic board distribution portal.
• Support onboarding of Directors and executive officers.
• Coordinate matters related to Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including D&O questionnaires and ESG.
• Assist with M&A, financings and other strategic transactions.
• Assist in the formation, dissolution and maintenance of corporate entities, including international subsidiaries.
• Review and assist in administering corporate governance policies.
• Maintain records and proactively design legal file management systems for corporate subsidiaries, director and officer information, corporate record keeping, transaction execution, governance policies, and compliance processes.
• Aid attorneys and participate in projects across the department, including employment law or other transactional matters.

Qualifications:

Legal Operations Manager

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, law, business administration, or a similar discipline; paralegal certificate required.
• Minimum 8 years’ of paralegal experience (with a focus on corporate governance, securities and/or public company reporting); some in-house experience preferred
• Experience preparing, managing and maintaining board minutes, agendas, stockholder meeting materials, and corporate recordkeeping
• Experience preparing and filing Section 16 reports (Forms 3, 4 and 5) preferred
• Ability to multi-task and work independently, partnering across all levels of the organization
• High attention to detail is essential, combined with a positive, partnership-oriented approach
• Advanced proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Pay Range: $115,000 - 147,000

Legal Operations Sr. Manager (In addition to Manager level Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, law, business administration, or a similar discipline; paralegal certificate required. Advanced degree (JD, MBA, or equivalent) preferred.
• Minimum 10 years’ of paralegal experience (with a focus on corporate governance, securities and/or public company reporting); some in-house experience preferred
• Proven experience taking initiative to anticipate organizational needs, flag potential issues, and drive collaboration among cross-functional partners to achieve successful outcomes.
• Ability to proactively evaluate and recommend new tools and technologies to optimize legal operations and reporting workflows.
• Pay Range $137,000 - $176,000

Preferred (but not required):

• Education or work experience in life sciences 
• Previous experience with contract management systems like Conga or LinkSquares.  
• Previous experience with patent and trademark administrative matters, including experience with  US, PCT, and foreign prosecution, drafting formality documents, attending to document legalization, and complying with priority document requirements. 

How We Thrive Together: Absci’s Core  Values 

• We are one team with one finish line: Collaborate across departments, proactively supporting leaders and colleagues to ensure everyone reaches shared goals and successes together.
• We embrace our differences: Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment by respecting diverse perspectives, preferences, and working styles.
• We deliver Results: Take ownership of your responsibilities, manage priorities efficiently, and ensure all logistics and tasks are completed with excellence and attention to detail.
• We do the right thing: Act with integrity and professionalism in every interaction, maintaining confidentiality, and communicating transparently.
• Innovate because lives depend on it: Continuously seek out tools, processes, or organizational improvements that make our teams more effective and amplify our impact.

Competitive equity package applies. Pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to equity, compensation packages include a wide range of medical, dental, vision benefits and ability to participate in our employee stock purchase plan.

Absci offers highly competitive salaries and benefits, including medical, dental, vision insurance, unlimited vacation, parental leave, breakfast and lunch for onsite employees, employee assistance program, voluntary life and disability insurance, annual bonus potential, and 401(k) with a generous company match. Legal authorization to work in the United States is required.