Director Legal Dispute Resolution

The Director Legal Dispute Resolution will be a key member of the global dispute resolution team (being a part of the BioNTech legal department) and will generally be expected to support BioNTech colleagues across the company worldwide, including collaboration, licensing and research agreements (but not including IP matters).  This attorney will provide strategic counsel and hands-on guidance for contentious matters in a fast-paced, execution-oriented environment (including management of outside counsel and drafting / reviewing various types of correspondence and filings). This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing department and have a meaningful impact within a highly innovative organization. 

Your main responsibilities will include: 

• Direct and manage a diverse range of dispute resolution actions, including pre-litigation/pre-arbitration dispute resolution, active litigation / arbitration, discovery / document production and other litigation requests and procedures
• Review of pleadings and other court documents
• Handling of subpoenas and other information requests and inquiries
• Perform legal/business risk assessments and provide strategic advice during negotiations (including jurisdiction and applicable law)
• Manage product liability cases in various jurisdictions
• Manage outside counsel on litigation / arbitration and related matters to efficiently manage all aspects of outside counsel relationship, including staffing, strategy and work product
• Manage communication with internal stakeholders (in particular business development and alliances, research, clinical and finance) and bringing together and analyzing relevant facts / documents
• Assist in the management of public disclosures and publications, including SEC filings
• Continuously improve standard form agreements and legal processes, develop and conduct trainings

What you have to offer:  

• Fully qualified German lawyer (1st and 2nd German State Exam or equivalent) 
• 10 years prior litigation / arbitration experience in an international law firm or in an in-house counsel role (ideally life science or pharmaceutical experience) 
• Supportive interpersonal team player skilled in working effectively with people across a wide range of disciplines in a complex and fast-moving corporate environment
• Practical, clear, creative, solution-oriented and hands-on approach.  Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in German and English. Ability to convey even highly complex legal advice to internal stakeholders (including senior management)
• Organized, responsible and detail-oriented.  Capable of working independently and able to understand and incorporate legal guidance into work product 
• Team player with a strongly positive, can-do attitude.  High degree of personal ethics, integrity and accountability 
• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, exercise sound business judgment with critical thinking skills and thrive in fast-paced / high volume environment