Position: We are seeking a highly skilled and commercially minded Strategic Contract Negotiator to join our company at this critical stage of company growth. This role will serve as a key business partner across Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Manufacturing, Medical Affairs, and several other support functions. This role will lead the negotiation of complex agreements that support our late-stage pipeline. The ideal candidate brings deep experience negotiating biotech-relevant contracts-particularly with CROs, CMOs, laboratories, and other strategic suppliers-and thrives in a fast-paced, resource-conscious environment where impact is immediate and visible. The role will be hired at the Associate Director or Director level, based on experience, scope, and leadership capability.
Responsibilities include: - Lead end-to-end contract negotiation strategy and execution for a wide range of procurement agreements, including:
- CRO and clinical service agreements
- CMO and manufacturing agreements
- Laboratory, data, and technology service contracts
- Consulting, professional services, and master service agreements MSAs/SOWs)
- Partner closely with Finance and Legal to ensure contracts appropriately balance risk, compliance, and commercial objectives while meeting company standards.
- Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, providing commercial guidance on pricing models, payment structures, risk allocation, and contract terms.
- Drive negotiations that optimize cost, flexibility, and performance, while maintaining strong, long-term vendor relationships.
- Support development and refinement of procurement and contracting processes, templates, playbooks, and negotiation best practices appropriate for a growing biotech.
- Track and manage contract lifecycle activities, including renewals, amendments, change orders, and escalations.
- Identify opportunities for cost savings, process efficiency, and risk mitigation across the vendor portfolio.
- Provide mentorship, strategic leadership, and contribute to longer-term procurement strategy and vendor governance.
Education, Experience, and Skills: Required: - Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA, or equivalent) a plus.
- 10-12+ years of experience in contract negotiation, strategic sourcing, or procurement, preferably within biotech, pharma, or life sciences.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating complex, high-value agreements with CROs, CMOs, and other clinical-stage vendors.
- Strong understanding of common biotech contracting structures, current market trends, pricing models, and risk-sharing mechanisms.
- Proven ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders across functions.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable operating in a lean, fast-moving environment with limited infrastructure.
Preferred: - Experience supporting clinical-stage programs (Phase I-III).
- Familiarity with Bay Area biotech vendor ecosystem.
- Prior experience scaling procurement or contracting processes in a growing organization.
Salary Range: $194,900 - $217,000Location: Annexon Biosciences is located in Brisbane, California and preference is given to candidates in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Benefits: - A stimulating and rewarding workplace includes flexible work schedules, remote opportunities and the ability to achieve a work-life balance.
- Shuttle service from BART, CalTrain and the Ferry.
- Annexon offers a competitive base salary and equity participation, employee stock purchase plan, as well as a comprehensive health benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending plans, and other benefits.
