Job Description:
The Senior Counsel, Transactions offers a great opportunity for an outstanding attorney to join a sophisticated legal department at a rapidly growing, publicly traded life sciences company located in Chicago. This position will provide general commercial legal support on all contract and transactional aspects of the business and work closely with our business teams to contribute to our financial and operational success. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in structuring, drafting, and negotiating sophisticated agreements while providing pragmatic, business-oriented legal guidance in a fast-paced, highly technical environment.
Essential Job Functions
- Under minimal supervision, serve as a direct legal advisor to all business units regarding corporate, commercial, transactional and contract matters
- Draft, review and revise contracts for all aspects of the business including, but not limited to, vendor agreements, confidentiality agreements, license agreements, supply agreements, consulting agreements, clinical trial agreements and managed care agreements
- Participate with internal clients and third parties in commercial negotiations
- Identify and manage legal and contractual risks while offering creative solutions to enable business goals
- Ensure all transactions comply with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies, particularly those relevant to the biopharmaceutical industry
- Partner with outside counsel as required to ensure efficient and cost-effective delivery of legal services
- Assist with transactional (merger and acquisition, capital markets and private debt) matters as necessary
Skills and Qualifications
- Holds Bachelors and Juris Doctor (JD) degrees with strong academic credentials
- Has a minimum of 5 years of transactional and contract drafting and negotiating experience at a life sciences company or the life sciences group at a large law firm
- Is a member in good standing of a state bar association
- Capable of handling multiple and competing workloads with changing priorities to meet deadlines
- Able to work independently but know when to involve others or ask for guidance
- Can work effectively with all levels of the organization
- Competencies: Strategic Judgment, Strong Written and Verbal Communications, Teamwork & Collaboration, High Attention to Detail, Self-Starter, Problem Solving, Organizational skills, Adaptability
Working Conditions
- Position may require periodic evening and weekend work, as necessary to fulfill obligations. Infrequent overnight travel.
- This is a hybrid role based in Xeris’ Chicago office and requires a minimum of three days per week in the office. On-site requirement may change at management’s discretion.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
The anticipated base salary range for this position is $184,800 - $277,200
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We are committed to offering competitive compensation. Starting pay is determined based on a variety of factors, including the role, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, education, internal equity, market data, and the location of the role, where applicable.
Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified candidates are given equal opportunity and the Company’s employment selection decisions are based solely on job-related factors. NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the Company.
The level of the position will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. Final determination of the actual base salary offered depends on several factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, experience, education, location, and business needs. Employees are eligible for equity or long-term incentive awards, where applicable. Field Sales role employees are eligible for a quarterly commission structure. Non-Sales role employees are eligible for an annual bonus. The Company also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes additional elements such as paid time off benefits, various health, vision, and dental insurance options, 401(k) retirement benefits and more for eligible employees. Details about these and other offerings will be provided at the time a conditional offer of employment is made. Candidates are always welcome to inquire about our compensation and benefits package during the interview process. Individuals hired as temporary employees, interns, and preceptors are not eligible for commissions, bonuses, and/or long-term incentive or equity awards. Eligibility for other benefits will be based on plan documents.
Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations
If, because of a medical condition or disability, you require a reasonable accommodation or assistance to complete any part of the application process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Please include the job requisition number in your message. Please note if your request is not for this stated purpose, you will not receive a response to your email. Do not include any medical or health information in this email.
Xeris participates in E-Verify. E-Verify Participation Poster
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Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree with strong academic credentials
- At least 5 years of transactional and contract drafting and negotiating experience at a life sciences company or life sciences practice of a large law firm
- Membership in good standing of a state bar association
- Ability to manage multiple competing workloads and changing priorities
- Ability to work independently and recognize when to seek guidance
- Ability to work effectively with all organizational levels
- Strategic judgment, strong written and verbal communication, teamwork, attention to detail, self-direction, problem-solving, organization, and adaptability
Xeris Pharmaceuticals Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Xeris Pharmaceuticals and has not been reviewed or approved by Xeris Pharmaceuticals.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare offerings include medical, dental, and vision coverage alongside FSA/HSA, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability, signaling comprehensive core coverage. These elements point to a robust foundation for day-to-day and longer-term health needs.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include 401(k) and Roth options with employer matching on the first 4% of eligible contributions. This structure strengthens long-term savings and adds clear employer support.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid holidays and vacation are part of the standard package, with some postings noting generous PTO structures. This breadth helps support time away from work.
Xeris Pharmaceuticals Insights
What We Do
We're a growth-oriented biopharmaceutical company improving patient lives by developing and commercializing advanced products across a range of therapies.









