Strategic Transactions Counsel, APEX

About the role

The Strategic Transactions Counsel will own and drive the execution of a diverse portfolio of high-stakes transactions across the Flagship Pioneering ecosystem, working directly with the APEX Group to advance corporate development, licensing, partnerships, and M&A initiatives. This role sits at the critical intersection of business strategy, legal expertise, and financial acumen, requiring the counsel to partner closely with the Executive Leadership Team, Business Development, IP, and Corporate Development functions to design and execute transaction structures that maximize value and de-risk complex deals. The counsel will be responsible for managing multiple transactions simultaneously in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, ensuring that each deal aligns with the strategic objectives and innovation pipeline of Flagship Pioneering. Rather than acting as a purely advisory legal specialist, the hire will be an operational driver of transaction outcomes, shaping deal architecture, negotiating key terms, and coordinating closely with external advisors to maintain momentum and alignment. The role demands proactive engagement with evolving regulations and industry trends, particularly as they pertain to pharmaceutical collaborations, biotech ventures, and global capital markets, requiring constant learning and forward-looking risk assessment.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Own and drive, together with other members of the APEX Group, the execution of transactions across the Flagship ecosystem, including licensing, collaboration, partnership, joint venture, M&A, and other strategic transactions as well as equity investments, recapitalizations, and other capital accessing activities.
• Coordinate with other colleagues at Flagship and external advisors to facilitate great decision-making and ensure alignment across internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive the structuring of complex transactions to achieve strategic and financial objectives while balancing commercial intent with regulatory and compliance considerations.
• Drive the negotiation of transaction terms and the completion of relevant processes, ensuring timely execution and adherence to commercial and legal guardrails.
• Help standardize transaction processes, playbooks, templates, and best practices across the organization to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Manage multiple transactions simultaneously in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, maintaining rigorous prioritization and execution discipline.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, evolving regulations, and legal developments impacting pharmaceutical collaborations and biotech transactions, translating these insights into practical guidance for internal stakeholders.
• Proactively engage and direct external law firm partners and advisors to manage high-stakes negotiations and complex deal structures and legal cost associated with the same.
• Counsel internal stakeholders on legal interpretations, risk management, and compliance considerations, ensuring that all transaction activities are robustly documented and defensible.
• Act as a key liaison between the Transactions team and portfolio companies, supporting transaction readiness and execution oversight.
• Contribute to the development of transaction-related policies, procedures, and training materials to elevate the overall capability of the APEX Group.
• Participate in due diligence and commercial assessments, working closely with commercial, scientific, and finance teams to evaluate deal attractiveness and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Support the preparation and negotiation of transaction documentation, including agreements, resolutions, and ancillary filings, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
• Collaborate with finance and tax teams to model transaction economics, optimize structures, and ensure alignment with budget and forecasting processes.
• Represent Flagship Pioneering in external forums and negotiations, maintaining the organization's reputation for excellence and integrity in all dealings.

Requirements

• J.D. from a leading law school; licensed to practice in the United States.
• Ideal experience includes 5+ years of experience in complex life science transactions, demonstrating a track record of handling sophisticated deals in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced environments while managing competing priorities and tight timelines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex legal and commercial concepts into clear, actionable guidance for non-legal audiences.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional leadership and external advisors.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and judgment, given the sensitive nature of strategic transactions and partnership discussions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with comfort in interpreting financial terms, commercial provisions, and regulatory constraints.
• Willingness to travel as required to support transaction activities, including meetings with partners, portfolio companies, and advisors.
• Commitment to working within the Flagship Pioneering framework for governance, decision-making, and documentation standards.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and deliverables in a dynamic, team-based setting without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
• Understanding of corporate governance, securities law, and transactional due diligence processes as they apply to life science ventures.
• Familiarity with deal negotiation tactics and the ability to anticipate and address counterparty concerns proactively.
• Demonstrated success in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements under pressure and with strict timelines.

Practical notes

• Travel: Willingness to travel as required to support transaction activities, including meetings with partners, portfolio companies, and advisors.
• Visa: The role may require compliance with U.S. work authorization and visa sponsorship considerations for non-U.S. candidates, subject to case-by-case determination.
• Hours: Full-time position.
• Deadline: Please refer to the source or contact the recruiter for current application deadlines.