Character Biosciences is a precision medicine company pioneering targeted therapies for polygenic diseases, with an initial focus on ophthalmology. At the core of Character Bio’s approach is a set of company-sponsored observational studies that integrate patients’ genetics with their longitudinal clinical and imaging data. Character’s interdisciplinary team, spanning clinical research, data science, statistical genetics, machine learning and drug discovery, leverages the company’s platform to uncover genetic drivers of disease progression, advance novel therapeutics, and define patient stratification strategies to enhance clinical success. The company is currently advancing two programs into the clinic for Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)into the clinic, with additional programs in earlier stages of discovery research.

We are seeking a highly motivated and independent Contracts Manager to oversee and manage our contracting processes, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and risk mitigation across the business. As the Contracts Manager, you will be responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a diverse range of contracts and for helping to build out Character’s contracting processes and workflow. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to align contracts with business objectives and drive operational efficiency. The first hire in this capacity, you will define and own the contracting function: establishing tools, templates, and processes that will scale with the company.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review, draft, and negotiate various contract types including CRO/CDMO services agreements, consulting agreements, equipment purchase/rental and maintenance agreements, technology product and service agreements (including data security terms), and benefits agreements
• Work collaboratively with business stakeholders and subject matter experts to identify gaps between proposed contract terms and company business requirements and to balance and monitor risk
• Work closely with external legal counsel on complex agreements and legal matters as needed
• Develop, maintain, and update standardized contract templates to streamline the contracting process
• Implement and optimize contract management processes and tools to increase efficiency, reduce risk, and improve overall contract performance
• Ensure agreements are finalized promptly and in accordance with our approval matrix
• Maintain a centralized repository of all contract documents, ensuring accurate record-keeping and timely management of renewals, extensions, and terminations
  
  

Skills and Qualifications:

• B.A. / B.S. (Paralegal background helpful but not a must)
• 5+ years of progressive contract management experience, with a minimum of 3 years in the life sciences/biotechnology industry
• Thorough understanding of contracting trade-off clauses and the risk trade-offs that come with these for key vendors in the biotechnology space (e.g. CROs CDMOs, laboratory suppliers, etc.)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and address complex contract issues
• Experience in negotiating basic contractual elements
• Organized, process-driven, and resourceful with an attention to detail
• Proven ability to work closely with science teams to incorporate accurate scientific and legal language that aligns contractual elements with project needs
• Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with a proven ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Strong project management skills to oversee multiple concurrent agreements and ensure timely execution
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders
• Enjoys building and optimizing processes and systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness
• Possesses the ability to act independently and proactively to ensure effective workflows