Lead Counsel

Over the coming years, biotech will fundamentally rewrite the way we live. Gene editing and cell therapy are dramatically changing how we treat cancer and other major illnesses. Biofuels and biomaterials are transforming the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, and the makeup of everyday objects. Crop science and synthetic biology are producing sustainable and ethical food. Benchling’s mission is to accelerate the research that propels us towards this reality, and magnify its impact, through modern software.

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are looking for a mission-driven, collaborative, and highly-motivated individual to join as the founding member of our EMEA legal team as we continue building a world-class group The right person for this role is a team player who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and is able to balance legal risk with business objectives. As Lead Counsel, EMEA, and our first international lawyer, you will handle a wide variety of matters across Benchling’s business and operations, and help develop and implement scalable localised contracting policies, practises, and processes to accelerate operations while protecting Benchling’s interests. You will work across the business, partnering with sales and go-to-market functions to provide strategic, business-oriented legal advice on a wide variety of issues spanning the commercial transactions practise areas, as well as collaborate on other legal matters across the region.

YOUR IMPACT
- Own broad responsibility for and advise on a wide variety of EMEA legal matters with an initial focus on commercial matters.
- Provide thoughtful and practical business and legal advice on various legal risks, business strategies, and other issues related to commercial transactions and general operations.
- Manage and resolve complicated issues related to commercial deals, and drive alignment with various cross-functional teams.
- Partner closely with EMEA sales and field operations to ensure timely, efficient, and effective legal support for customer negotiations and other commercial transactions.
- Collaborate with the Head of Commercial Legal to develop and implement efficiencies in the commercial negotiation process in consultation with global sales, go-to-market, and field operations leadership.
- Structure, draft, and negotiate a broad range of regional inbound services contracts and supplier engagements, including software and SaaS, professional services and outsourcing, IT, and marketing.
- Evolve and manage education, information, and training programs for the EMEA sales organisation on negotiation best practises and relevant legal issues.
- Collaborate with our global legal team on a variety of other regional matters, including international expansion, compliance, and people matters.

ABOUT YOU
- 10+ years of general in-house legal experience, with 5+ years of commercial enterprise SaaS experience focused on building and scaling support sales transactions, and other go-to-market activities, preferably in biotech, healthcare or life sciences-related industries.
- Experience managing and building an in-house legal team in EMEA.
- Proven ability to provide entrepreneurial, pragmatic, business-oriented advice, with a dedication to superior client and stakeholder service.
- Ability to operate autonomously while being a team player who brings a positive attitude to the job.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with ability to advocate for a position without legalese while maintaining a collaborative and open-minded approach.
- Highly organized, reliable, detail-oriented, and diligent.
- Ability to work on multiple issues simultaneously and to set appropriate priorities with clients and to deliver results efficiently.
- Working knowledge of regional laws more broadly, to effectively collaborate on global expansion, local compliance, and people matters.
- Most importantly, you have a growth mindset, embrace change, and practise with kindness, humility, empathy, integrity, and levity.

LI-JE1

Benchling welcomes everyone. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity and inclusion by broadening our ways of problem-solving for future challenges. Even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications for this job, we strongly encourage you to apply.

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES
- Admit mistakes and shortcomings
- Deliver results
- Disagree and commit
- Obsess over customers
- Rely on work ethic
- Show empathy
- Recruit and develop the best
- Sweat the details
- Think and communicate clearly
- Unite around the mission

PERKS AND BENEFITS
- Work with a talented yet humble team
- Competitive compensation & equity package
- Weekly virtual social events, and annual company retreats
- 401k, Medical, dental, and vision insurance (US Employees Only)
- Monthly health & wellness stipend
- Yearly educational stipend
- Flexible & Generous Vacation Policy: If you feel you need a break, you can talk directly with your manager to f