We are looking for an experienced Outside Counsel Manager to join our Legal Operations team at Genentech, a member of the Roche group. This key role will maximize the value of legal services to the company by driving our pricing strategies and will partner with our leadership team in managing our outside counsel use.
This position requires deep experience of legal pricing models and billing, budgeting, and outside counsel management. If you have strong negotiation skills, are an analytical thinker, and have a proven track record of using data to make impactful decisions, then this role could be for you!
The Outside Counsel Manager role reports directly to the Chief of Staff, Executive Director of Operations in the Genentech Legal Department. This position is based onsite at the South San Francisco, California campus and is not suitable for a fully-remote working arrangement. Relocation benefits are not available for this job posting.
Responsibilities include:
Primary responsibilities of this individual contributor role include the following:
Monitor and report on legal spend and matter management, including tracking overall department spend levels, law firm adherence to billing expectations, performance against budget, matter staffing, etc.
Manage the RFP process, negotiate fee arrangements, and draft and finalize engagement letters with outside counsel
Develop and manage outside counsel programs, including supporting the day-to-day arrangements with preferred firms (e.g., managing communications with law firms, regularly monitoring performance against program targets, etc.).
Lead the annual rate review process by using data to inform the department’s negotiation strategy, overseeing the collection and analysis of rate proposals, and providing recommendations on rate approvals and counters.
Promote the use of alternative fee arrangements (AFAs) by guiding attorneys in identifying AFA opportunities and providing data-driven analysis to support AFA negotiations.
Drive the department's outside counsel performance process, including organizing the collection and analysis of performance feedback, and providing data to support performance discussions with law firms.
Develop internal guidelines for outside counsel management (e.g., when to engage outside counsel versus other vendors) and drive the development of supporting documentation and technology (e.g., firm selection workflows).
Update and maintain external Outside Counsel Guidelines to ensure alignment with industry best practices and evolving departmental needs.
Develop positive, strong, and collaborative relationships with internal cross-functional corporate business partners and legal colleagues across Roche to maximize the value of legal services to Genentech/Roche.
Qualifications & Competencies
Bachelor’s degree required; undergraduate or graduate degree in finance, accounting, statistics, economics, business (e.g. MBA), or legal (e.g. JD) is a plus.
7+ years working in Legal Operations and Outside Counsel Management, or financial management/pricing arrangements in a law firm.
In-depth understanding of law firm pricing and billing practices, and knowledge of outside counsel management programs.
Demonstrable experience with designing, negotiating and evaluating fee agreements and rates, including alternative fee agreements.
Strong financial acumen; experience with fiscal and budget management
Experience with metric driven processes and technology improvements.
Familiarity with Onit or other comparable legal e-billing system.
Proven effective communication and influencing skills with partner-level outside counsel, directors and senior level stakeholders (both internal and external).
Thrives in a global and fast-paced industry (plus for experience in biotech/pharma)..
Demonstrates an ability to manage high job complexity, work efficiently, manage complex tasks/projects in a highly-organized manner.
The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco is $136,100- $252,700. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.
Benefits
Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.
Genentech Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Genentech and has not been reviewed or approved by Genentech.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive across medical, dental, vision, mental health, and prescriptions, supported by HSAs/FSAs and broad wellness resources. On‑site fitness and health centers, mental‑health clinicians, and specialized programs like fully covered preventive cancer screenings and menopause support deepen the offering.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits feature a 401(k) with up to a 4% company match plus an additional annual 6% company contribution to eligible pay. Additional financial protections such as life and accident insurance complement salary, bonuses, and stock options.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time away includes about 20 paid vacation days, paid holidays, personal days, and a year‑end shutdown. A paid six‑week sabbatical every six years notably expands long‑term time‑off flexibility.
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What We Do
Considered the founder of the industry, Genentech, now a member of the Roche Group, has been delivering on the promise of biotechnology for more than 40 years. Genentech is a biotechnology company dedicated to pursuing groundbreaking science to discover and develop medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. Our transformational discoveries include the first targeted antibody for cancer and the first medicine for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. We're passionate about finding solutions for people facing the world's most difficult-to-treat conditions. That is why we use cutting-edge science to create and deliver innovative medicines around the globe. To us, science is personal. Making a difference in the lives of millions starts when you make a change in yours.
