Corporate Counsel

Strive to Bring a Profound Difference to our PatientsAt Avidity Biosciences, we are passionate about the impact of every employee in realizing our vision of improving people’s lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics. Avidity is revolutionizing the field of RNA with its proprietary AOCs, which are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to address targets and diseases previously unreachable with existing RNA therapies. If you are a committed, solution-oriented thinker, join us in making a difference and become part of our growing culture that is integrated, collaborative, agile and focused on the needs of patients. Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics - Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™). Utilizing its proprietary AOC platform, Avidity demonstrated the first-ever successful targeted delivery of RNA into muscle and is leading the field with clinical development programs for three rare muscle diseases: myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Avidity is broadening the reach of AOCs with its advancing and expanding pipeline, including programs in cardiology and immunology through internal discovery efforts and key partnerships. Avidity is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information about our AOC platform, clinical development pipeline, and people, please visit www.aviditybiosciences.com and engage with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.The Responsibilities

• Provide clear and business-savvy strategic and legal and business advice to key stakeholders across Avidity business functions 
• Maintain strong relationships with business clients to understand business requirements and ensure contractual terms align with the company's priorities and policies
• Draft and negotiate a variety of biotech contracts and related documents including clinical trial, sponsored research, material transfer, ICFs, and manufacturing agreements, and licenses, as well as complex and non-standard agreements supporting R&D, Business Development, and other functions
• Address a broad array of legal matters to support the company's business, working closely with other members of the Legal team, as well as internal business clients across functions
• Collaborate cross-functionally to help create and implement procedures to track compliance with contractual obligations under licenses and strategic agreements
• Actively and effectively partner with Avidity stakeholders across all phases of research, collaborations, clinical, manufacturing, and development to build value for patients, shareholders and employees
• Help drive transactions from end-to-end, including providing both business and legal advice to Business Development, Alliance Management, and other stakeholders, including due diligence, term sheets and agreements for licenses, collaborations, and other strategic deals
• Help develop, manage and implement Legal's policies, playbooks, templates and procedures
• Mentor and/or lead indirect teams
• Help manage and work directly with external counsel supporting business needs

Position Requirements 

• Juris Doctor degree with exceptional academic credentials
• Motivated to help make a difference in the lives of patients and families living with rare diseases
• 5 + years of relevant attorney experience, including training at a leading law firm practice and time spent in-house, ideally at a public biotech, pharmaceutical or life sciences company, in roles of increasing responsibility, and with experience across research, development and commercial operations
• Must be admitted, active and in good standing with the California State Bar, or with another state bar and registered, or eligible to register, as in-house counsel with the State of California
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment and in person in the San Diego, California office 2+ days per week
• Experience with early stage, clinical development, launched products, as well as CMC is preferred
• Team leadership experience within a cross-functional matrix environment
• Demonstrated excellent communication (oral and written), teamwork, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
• High level of curiosity, intelligence, ability to work independently while being a team player who brings a positive, "can do" attitude, who works collaboratively with other members of the Legal team and cross functionally
• Be able to simultaneously manage workloads, multiple client demands and shifting priorities within a fast-paced, high-intensity and dynamic environment.
• Passion for the patient and to make a difference
• Have impeccable professional ethics, integrity and judgment
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic; fast learner who can identify the core project challenges and expeditiously change course as required in a fast-paced organization
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to prioritize key workstreams
• Strong initiative and follow through are essential for this job
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills coupled with the ability to advocate for a position and engage in vigorous debate to reach the best decision
• Be a collegial, hard-working, confident self-starter with a passion for results
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions on incomplete information and in areas where a high degree of professional judgment is required

 What We will Provide to You:

• The base salary range for this role is $234,900 - $259,600. The final compensation will be commensurate with such factors as relevant experience, skillset, internal equity and market factors.
• Avidity offers competitive compensation and benefits which includes the opportunity for annual and spot bonuses, stock options and RSUs, as well as a 401(k) with an employer match. In addition, the comprehensive wellness program includes coverage for medical, dental, vision, and LTD, and four weeks of time off.
• Opportunities for growth
• A commitment to learning and development which includes a variety of programming internally developed by and for Avidity employees, opportunities for job-specific training offered by industry, and an education reimbursement program.

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