Senior Director, Legal

Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: CNTA) new kind of pharmaceutical company with a deconstructed R&D environment that prioritizes data driven decision making led by subject matter experts. Centessa is advancing a portfolio of high conviction programs with strong biological validation.

Our asset-centric model offers a unique R&D logic that has been applied by single asset companies to improve productivity. This operating model has minimal centralized infrastructure, reduced hierarchy, and exclusive focus on data driven capital allocation. Our teams are uniquely incentivized to expeditiously interrogate key scientific hypotheses. We believe the asset-centric model can lead to improved success rates for programs with greater speed and modest costs.

 

Description of Role 

Centessa is seeking an experienced corporate/commercial lawyer to support our business as a Senior Legal Director. Reporting to the General Counsel and VP of Legal, this role will play a critical role in supporting our growing, globally operating pharmaceutical company by providing trusted legal guidance across a wide range of business activities. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, contributing directly to the execution of the company’s clinical, regulatory, and commercial objectives. The role is well suited for an experienced legal professional who thrives in an environment that values initiative, sound judgment, and a pragmatic approach to risk management.

Operating in a fast-paced organization, the Senior Legal Director will be expected to take ownership of matters spanning corporate, commercial, and governance needs while managing competing priorities across multiple geographies. Success in this role requires the ability to navigate complexity, balance strategic considerations with operational demands, and serve as a hands-on legal partner to a dynamic, mission-driven organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior legal partner to the business, providing strategic and day-to-day legal support across a broad range of corporate, commercial, and operational matters.
• Lead the drafting, review, negotiation, and management of complex commercial agreements, including but not limited to:
• Global clinical trial agreements
• CRO and CDMO engagements
• License, collaboration, and supply agreements
• Provide legal support for global clinical development activities, working across global jurisdictions and time zones.
• Advise internal stakeholders on legal risks, mitigation strategies, and commercially practical solutions that support business objectives.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams (e.g., Clinical, Regulatory, Finance, Business Development, and Operations) in a highly collaborative, fast-moving environment.
• Support the General Counsel on corporate governance matters, including board and committee activities and corporate secretarial responsibilities.
• Assist with SEC compliance, including the preparation, review, and coordination of SEC filings.
• Share responsibility for the management and continuous improvement of the contracts repository, legal technology tools, and related processes.
• Support the development and delivery of legal training and guidance for internal stakeholders.
• Manage and coordinate external counsel globally to ensure high-quality, cost-effective, and business-focused legal support.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, judgment, and accountability in a dynamic, resource-constrained environment.

Qualifications

• J.D. or equivalent law degree; admission to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, either:
• As in-house counsel at a public pharmaceutical/life sciences company, or
• As an attorney at an internationally recognized law firm, with a focus on life sciences or pharmaceuticals.
• Demonstrated experience drafting, negotiating, and managing complex commercial agreements in the pharmaceutical or life-sciences sector; experience with clinical trial agreements strongly preferred.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to deliver practical, solution-oriented legal advice in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting SEC compliance and filings and/or FDA regulatory matters is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to manage external counsel efficiently and effectively across jurisdictions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels of the organization.
• Comfortable working across global time zones and handling multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Written and oral fluency in English is required.

Compensation

The annual base salary range for this job level is $235,000.00 to $310,000.00. Individual compensation within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and job knowledge.

In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and participation in our equity program, allowing you to share in Centessa’s long-term success.

Centessa also offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a 401(k) plan, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, generous paid time off, and a health and wellness program.

Work Location

The Senior Legal Director is a remote role based in the US or UK with business-related travel (approximately 15%) 

POSITION: Full-Time, Exempt

EEOC Statement: Centessa Pharmaceuticals believes in a diverse environment and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Centessa Pharmaceuticals will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Please note: We will not assign referral rights for any unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.