Amylyx has an audacious mission to usher in a new era for treating diseases with high unmet needs. Where others see challenges, we see opportunities that we pursue with urgency, rigorous science, and unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. We are a clinical-stage company currently focused on post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH), Wolfram syndrome, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Our mission is powered by our people. Our core values – be audacious, be curious, be authentic, be engaged, and be accountable – creating a culture of caring. Amylyx has assembled an experienced team ready to take action because the communities we serve have no time to wait. If you share our passion and are determined to tackle some of medicine’s toughest problems, we encourage you to read the opportunity below and apply.
The Opportunity
The Vice President, Legal Operations is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing the company's legal operations, contracting function, strategic transactions, and legal support for corporate growth initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, this role serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, partnering closely with finance, business development, and functional leaders to enable business objectives while effectively managing legal and operational risk.
In a dynamic biotechnology environment, the Vice President, Legal Operations will provide practical, business-focused legal guidance across a broad range of operational processes and systems, with an initial focus on strengthening and scaling the Company’s contracting operations. The Vice President, Legal Operations will also support strategic transactions and initiatives, including potential partnering agreements, licensing transactions, and targeted acquisitions, as well as other organizational transformation efforts. The ideal candidate combines strong legal expertise with operational excellence, exceptional business acumen, and experience supporting change management and organizational growth.
Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee the company's contracting function, including developing scalable contracting processes, templates, policies, and governance frameworks to improve efficiency and manage risk.
- Serve as the lead legal advisor for strategic transactions, including strategically structuring and negotiating transactions, leading due diligence to assess risk and mitigation strategies, and supporting post-transaction integration efforts.
- Develop a vision for a best-in-class, future-fit legal and compliance function that appropriately leverages technology, including artificial intelligence.
- Establish legal operations best practices across the Legal and Compliance department, including matter management, budgeting, use of systems and technology, and outside counsel oversight.
- Partner with executive leadership to support organizational growth, transformation initiatives, and strategic business changes, including driving stakeholder alignment and change adoption across multiple functions.
- Build and maintain strong relationships across the organization as a trusted advisor and collaborative business partner, as well as interact with the Board of Directors to provide periodic updates on strategic matters.
- Help build and mentor a high-performing team and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Actively engage as a member of the Legal and Compliance leadership team to steer the department and ensure efficient, risk-based, fit-for-purpose, business-oriented support of all functions of the organization.
Required Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing.
- Minimum 12 years of relevant healthcare compliance experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and/or life sciences industry, with demonstrated legal operations experience as well as demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and/or enhancing organizational contracting processes.
- Experience operating in a dynamic, small but fast-growing biotechnology environment; proven track record in effecting organizational change.
- Experience in structuring, drafting and negotiating licensing, M&A and other complex strategic transactions.
- Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, a problem-solving mindset, and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and drive execution.
- Ability to work effectively across functions and at all levels in the organization and with external parties.
- Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills.
- Direct leadership and team management experience with proven ability to organize, manage, develop, and lead legal teams in a dynamic environment.
Preferred Requirements
- Experience in the preparation and review of SEC filings and compliance with SEC requirements; experience supporting capital markets transactions, including equity offerings; knowledge of Internal Audit with SOX compliance matters.
Work Location and Conditions
- At Amylyx, we proudly support remote work opportunities within the United States. However, due to business considerations related to health insurance coverage and state tax regulations, we are unable to hire employees who reside and/or work in certain states. Currently, we are not considering applicants from Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Michigan and Tennessee.
- You will be expected to travel to our corporate location in Cambridge, MA several times a year and attend other company-related events as necessary and requested.
- You must have access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at your remote location.
Compensation
The pay range posted below represents our good faith estimate of compensation for this role, based on market data and internal benchmarks. The final offer may vary depending on a candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications, as well as considerations of internal equity.
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Amylyx Pharmaceuticals is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Amylyx’s management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment. Accommodations are available for candidates who require them in our selection process. If you need an accommodation, please let your Amylyx Talent Acquisition contact know.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Skills Required
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Active bar membership in good standing
- At least 12 years of relevant healthcare compliance experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, or life sciences
- Legal operations experience and experience designing, implementing, or enhancing organizational contracting processes
- Experience in a dynamic, small, fast-growing biotechnology environment
- Proven track record effecting organizational change
- Experience structuring, drafting, and negotiating licensing, M&A, and other complex strategic transactions
- Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving mindset and ability to manage multiple priorities and drive execution
- Ability to work effectively across functions, organizational levels, and with external parties
- Strong oral, written communication, and presentation skills
- Direct leadership and team management experience
- Ability to organize, manage, develop, and lead legal teams in a dynamic environment
- Experience preparing and reviewing SEC filings and complying with SEC requirements
- Experience supporting capital markets transactions, including equity offerings
- Knowledge of Internal Audit and SOX compliance matters
What We Do
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global company committed to the mission of discovery and development of treatments for relentless and progressing neurodegenerative diseases. We work collaboratively across everything we do, aspiring to help support and create #MoreMoments for the neurodegenerative disease community. Community Guidelines: https://bit.ly/3C1v1wz Please be aware of potential phishing scams imitating Amylyx. All authentic communications from Amylyx will be from the Amylyx.com domain.
