General Counsel

POSITION TITLE: General Counsel 

DEPARTMENT: Legal

Ora Values The Daily Practice Of … 

Prioritizing Kindness * Operational Excellence * Cultivating Joy * Scientific Rigor

At Ora, we are building the future of ophthalmic clinical research. As the world’s leading full-service ophthalmic drug and device development firm, we guide our clients across all phases of clinical research to efficiently bring new products and therapies to market. Over the past 45 years, our expert teams have helped earn more than 85 new product approvals. Ora's pre-clinical and clinical models, unique methodologies, integrated clinical data solutions, and global regulatory strategies have been refined and proven across thousands of global projects. Today, our team continues to expand across the globe, with over 600 employees across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

The Role:

The General Counsel has primary responsibility for managing the global legal function of Ora, across all departments, in accordance with company policies and procedures, applicable laws, and contractual requirements. This individual will work closely with various teams, including management, internal business stakeholders, and third partners, to identify and mitigate legal risks while facilitating the achievement of business objectives.

This individual must be creative, strategic, and innovative while negotiating and managing complex contracts and be focused on bringing matters to timely and successful conclusion. A strong background in corporate law, particularly in the life sciences or healthcare sectors, is essential, along with exceptional negotiation and communication skills. 

Reporting to the CEO, this person will serve as a member of our senior leadership team and will have 2 direct reports.

 What You’ll Do:

• Manage the global legal function at Ora, including all operational contract matters, intellectual property, corporate governance, employment, privacy, compliance, M&A, and corporate investments.
• Work with and support C-level executives and board members across all legal and business areas.
• Manage, lead, and inspire a team of attorneys, to achieve goals and objectives.
• Draft and review contracts across all departments by negotiating the following agreements:  clinical trial, patent and software license, co-development/alliance, pre-clinical research, vendor, real estate leases, equity and debt instrument, confidentiality, LLC operating, and material transfer.
• Directly interface and negotiate with customers, vendors, and collaborators to support global sales.
• Support Global Corporate Development in the formation of Intellectual Property (IP) and commercialization strategy for target assets; including the structuring of equity transactions and formation of spin out entities.
• Support R&D regarding patentability, freedom to operate, assertion, and IP strategy.
• Work closely with People & Culture (HR) across all functions (e.g., hiring, terminating, policy drafting, training).
• Provide direction to Marketing in regard to trademark and copyright protection and strategy.
• Ensure Quality is aligned with legal compliance: FDA drug and device regulations, GDPR, HIPPA, Fraud and Abuse/Federal Anti-Kickback Laws, Physician Payment Sunshine Act, etc.
• Lead integration of third-party contractual obligations into SOP’s that govern activities across the organization.
• Lead and manage legal aspects of global expansion into Europe, Japan, China, Australia.
• Adhere to all aspects of Ora’s quality system. 
• Adhere to all essential systems and processes that are required at Ora to maintain compliance to Ora’s data integrity & business ethics and regulatory requirements. 
• Clear and sustained demonstration of Ora’s values -- prioritizing kindness, operational excellence, cultivating joy and scientific rigor – as well as their linked behaviors.
• Responsibilities may differ from the above based on the specific needs of the business.

What We Look For: 

• Experience needed for the Role: 
  • Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
  • 15+ years of relevant experience in legal.

• Additional Skills and Attributes:
  • Strong task management experience with proven track record of meeting project deliverables and timelines.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and operational teams.
  • Ability to perform in high pressure situations, manage to multiple competing timelines, adaptable to new situations as they arise.
  • Self-motivated, resourceful team player with excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to perform multiple tasks.
  • Ability to lead and support a team comprised of both internal and external counsel.
  • Broad experience in bio/medical/device/pharma is required.
  • Scientific undergraduate degree with a high level of scientific acumen required.
  • Direct, hands-on experience with patents, trademarks, and trade secrets required.
  • Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Competencies and Personal Traits:
  • What We Do:
    • Execution Excellence: Ability to set goals, create structure and maintain a focused and collaborative approach to the delivery of timely and high-quality work.  
  • How We Do It:
    • IQ, EQ and SQ: Agile and positive thinker, communicator and collaborator who uses a growth mindset to work and lead with authenticity, transparency, resilience, and empathy.  Scientific, intellectual, and emotional/social curiosity creates the willingness and ability to innovate, make mistakes, learn and try again.
    • Clear and Direct Communication, Feedback and Conflict Resolution: Practice radical candor in your communication and participate in active  Giving and receiving feedback frequently, with an open heart and mind creates psychological safety and promotes faster, individual, team and company growth. 
  • Why We Do It:
    • Seek Meaning and Purpose and a Desire to be Part of Something Bigger than Yourself: Crave being part of a team that works together under shared values to achieve significant positive impact in the wider world. At Ora, we are creating vision beyond what we see.

What We Offer:

• Well Being: Offering comprehensive healthcare options in Medical, Dental and Vision beginning day 1.
• Flexible PTO & Unlimited Sick Time: Providing you the freedom to unwind and recharge when you need to in addition to 14 company paid holidays.  
• Financial: Competitive salaries along with a 401K plan through Fidelity with company match. 
• Family Support Care: Adoption and fertility assistance provided along with offering 16 weeks paid Parental Leave. 
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance: Offering peace of mind to help you and your family feel secure. 
• Remote & Wellness Reimbursement: We'll reimburse you to support your remote workspace and wellness purchases. 
• Employee Assistance Program: No matter what issues you're facing, New Directions is here to help you and your family. 
• Career Development Opportunities: Continued opportunities to grow and develop your career journey.  
• Global Team: Opportunities to work with colleagues across the globe. 
• Impact: A chance to research new ophthalmic therapies that will impact patients across the globe. 

Benefit Eligibility: Full-time employees of Ora working a minimum of 30 hours per week. Our per diem workforce is eligible for Medical and Dental coverage once they have hit 6 months of service and work an average of 30 hours per week. 

Our mission is to weave together people, processes, and technology to support innovation in ophthalmology around the world. We believe our business should be a force for good — to improve, heal, and change how we see. As a global company, our vibrant community and culture are nurtured by our core values: Prioritizing kindness, cultivating joy, operational excellence, and scientific rigor. Through our commitment to these values, we have built an inclusive and supportive work environment that fosters respect, accountability, and a fulfilling work-life balance for every team member. 

We know a diverse workforce adds to our collective value and strength as an organization. People of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, disabled candidates and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Ora is proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to equal employment opportunity and fair, equitable compensation regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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