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- Tasks: Lead commercial contracts and provide legal guidance for biotech innovation.
- Company: Join a pioneering biotech firm transforming science with modern software.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, generous leave, wellness perks, and remote work options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in biotech while shaping the future of legal practices.
- Qualifications: 7+ years legal experience, especially in SaaS and commercial transactions.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Biotechnology is rewriting life as we know it, from the medicines we take to the crops we grow, the materials we wear, and the household goods that we rely on every day. But moving at the new speed of science requires better technology. Benchling's mission is to unlock the power of biotechnology. The world's most innovative biotech companies use Benchling's R&D Cloud to power the development of breakthrough products and accelerate time to milestone and market. Come help us bring modern software to modern science.
ROLE OVERVIEW
We are looking for a mission-driven, collaborative, and highly motivated individual to join Benchling as a critical member of the legal team. As Senior Counsel, EMEA Legal, you will be a trusted advisor to Benchling's EMEA teams, supporting revenue growth in Europe and guiding compliance across multiple jurisdictions. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced, pragmatic, and business-oriented attorney to provide legal guidance focused on commercial transactions, privacy, and regional employment law. The ideal candidate will be based in/near London or Zurich.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Commercial Transactions: Own and manage the full lifecycle of commercial contracts for our EMEA operations. This includes structuring, drafting, and negotiating SaaS agreements, professional services and outsourcing agreements, partner agreements, DPAs and security addendums, and other operational agreements for customers. You’ll work closely with our EMEA sales, revenue operations teams and deal desk to accelerate deals, provide strategic legal advice on complex issues, and ensure efficient, timely support for customer negotiations and other commercial transactions.
- Process Improvement: Collaborate with the Head of Commercial, Legal and other global legal team members to develop and implement efficient, scalable, localized contracting policies, practices, and processes. You’ll also evolve and manage training programs for the EMEA sales organization on negotiation best practices and relevant legal issues.
- Risk Mitigation and Business Partnership: Apply sound judgment to assess risks associated with non-standard legal positions and collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement practical mitigation strategies. You’ll provide clear, concise guidance to senior stakeholders on legal risks and liabilities within proposed commercial transactions, finding creative solutions to drive successful deal completion while fostering positive internal and external relationships.
- Employment Law: Partner with our global HR, legal, and business leaders on a wide range of European employment law matters. You will proactively identify and mitigate employment legal risks and disputes leveraging your experience, and manage relationships with local outside counsel. You will also guide the business on hiring, compensation, commission plans, benefits, performance management, leaves of absence, and contingent workers across multiple jurisdictions.
- Compliance and Data Protection: Maintain a working knowledge of relevant European laws and regulations related to privacy customer data protection and advise on their implications for Benchling's business in EMEA. Have a working knowledge of regional laws more broadly, to effectively collaborate on global expansion, local compliance, and people matters.
QUALIFICATIONS
About You:
- Experience: 7+ years of general relevant legal experience, with at least 5 years in house specifically focused on commercial enterprise SaaS transactions. Understand SaaS contracting norms and market terms. Experience supporting sales and go-to-market activities in biotech, healthcare, or life sciences industries is a plus. Experience navigating employment law across multiple European jurisdictions is preferred. Qualified attorney or solicitor (or EU equivalent) with experience in an English-speaking jurisdiction required.
- Strategic Thinker: Proven ability to provide entrepreneurial, pragmatic, and business-oriented legal advice, balancing legal risk with business objectives. You can translate complex legal concepts into actionable frameworks for non-legal colleagues.
- Autonomous and Collaborative: Comfortable operating autonomously in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Also a team player who can build strong, trusted partnerships with leadership and cross-functional teams with a customer-service oriented mindset.
- Exceptional Communicator: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. You can advocate for a position without legalese, maintaining a collaborative and open-minded approach.
- Organized and Detail-Oriented: Highly organized, reliable, and diligent, with the ability to manage multiple issues simultaneously and set appropriate priorities.
- Growth Mindset: You embrace change and practice with kindness, humility, integrity, and humor. You are also intellectually curious and proactively seek ways for the legal team to positively impact the business.
COMPANY BENEFITS - EMEA
Benchling takes a market-based approach to pay. The candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, interview performance, and work location. Total Compensation includes the following:
- Competitive total rewards package
- Fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits
- Four months of fully paid parental leave
- Home office stipend
- Mental health benefits + wellness stipend
- Learning and development reimbursement
- 25 days vacation days + public holidays
- Company-wide Winter holiday shutdown
- Sabbaticals for 5-year and 10-year anniversaries
- Remote perks including travel to hubs
- In-office perks (Zurich Only - In Office)
- Commuter benefits (Zurich Only - In Office)
Benchling welcomes everyone. We believe diversity enriches our team so we hire people with a wide range of identities, backgrounds, and experiences. We are an equal opportunity employer. That means we don’t discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Senior Counsel, Commercial in London employer: Benchling
Contact Detail:
Benchling Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Counsel, Commercial in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the biotech and legal fields, especially those who work at companies you admire. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Benchling's mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our goals in biotechnology. Tailor your answers to highlight your commercial transaction expertise and collaborative spirit.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since the role involves managing contracts, being able to demonstrate your approach to negotiations during interviews will set you apart. Use real-life examples to showcase your strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at Benchling.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Counsel, Commercial in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Counsel role. Highlight your experience with commercial transactions and SaaS agreements, as this is key for us at Benchling.
Showcase Your Legal Expertise: We want to see your legal chops! Include specific examples of how you've navigated complex legal issues in previous roles, especially in biotech or SaaS environments. This will help us understand your strategic thinking.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Avoid legal jargon where possible and focus on clear communication. We appreciate candidates who can convey complex ideas simply.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Benchling
✨Know Your SaaS Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of SaaS agreements and the specific nuances that come with them. Brush up on common terms and conditions, as well as any recent trends in the biotech sector. This will help you speak confidently about your experience and how it aligns with Benchling's needs.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to balance legal risks with business objectives. Think of situations where you've provided pragmatic legal advice that led to successful outcomes. This will show that you can think like a business partner, which is crucial for the Senior Counsel role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Compliance
Familiarise yourself with European laws related to privacy and data protection. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated compliance issues in previous roles, especially in relation to commercial transactions. This will highlight your expertise and readiness to tackle challenges at Benchling.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Practice explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms. During the interview, aim to communicate your thoughts clearly and concisely, avoiding legal jargon. This will demonstrate your exceptional communication skills and your ability to collaborate with non-legal colleagues.
