This role provides hands-on support to the General Counsel across contract administration, corporate records, and legal operations, supporting Capricor's regulated operating environment and preparation for a potential commercial launch. Working under the direct supervision of the General Counsel, the Paralegal keeps agreements moving by prioritizing requests, routing documents to the right reviewers, and picking up the phone to resolve issues quickly with business teams, outside vendors, and outside counsel, while maintaining reliable records and handling sensitive matters with sound judgment and confidentiality.
Key Responsibilities- Manage contract intake and triage, including logging requests, tracking status, prioritizing agreements based on operational criticality and the requesting person or department, and identifying which teams and reviewers need to provide feedback.
- Prepare initial reviews, drafts, and redlines of NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, vendor, consulting, and clinical trial agreements, as requested by the General Counsel.
- Administer electronic-signature workflows (DocuSign) and maintain the contract repository so executed agreements are complete, filed, and retrievable.
- Track contract renewals, expirations, milestones, and deliverables and flag upcoming dates for attorney action.
- Support litigation holds, document collection, and coordination with outside counsel, as assigned.
- Maintain corporate records and support preparation of board and committee materials.
- Serve as a responsive point of contact for Regulatory, Clinical, Commercial, and Finance stakeholders, outside vendors, and outside counsel (as directed by the General Counsel), picking up the phone to resolve simple and complex issues quickly.
- Conduct legal and corporate research and summarize findings for attorney review.
- Follow established legal processes and procedures and, as directed by the General Counsel, help refine intake workflows, templates, trackers, and contract-management practices.
Required Qualifications- Hands-on experience reviewing and drafting NDAs, MSAs, and SOWs, including preparing initial reviews and redlines for attorney review, in a high-volume environment.
- Degree in legal studies, business, or a related discipline, a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Experience with contract lifecycle management, electronic-signature administration, and contract or document management systems.
- Knowledge of corporate record-keeping, litigation-hold procedures, and handling confidential information.
- Strong written and verbal communication and reading comprehension skills, with the ability to understand complex issues and exercise sound judgment and discretion.
- Highly organized, with the ability to prioritize a high volume of document requests and manage competing deadlines across business teams.
- Typically 3 or more years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Comfortable in a supportive role, following established processes under the direction of the General Counsel and interfacing appropriately with internal teams, outside vendors, and outside counsel.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience supporting life sciences, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical organizations is strongly preferred.
- Direct experience reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
- Experience supporting litigation matters.
Work Environment & Physical RequirementsThe work involves sustained computer use, confidential records, meetings, and cross-location collaboration. Contract deadlines, board cycles, or litigation matters may require occasional schedule flexibility. This role can be based at Capricor's San Diego offices or remote, with a preference for West Coast candidates to align with team working hours.
$90,000 - $110,000 a year
Compensation and BenefitsThe posted salary range represents Capricor's good-faith estimate of the salary range reasonably expected to be paid for this position at the time of hire. Final compensation will be determined based on job-related factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, education, skills, certifications, scope of role, location, and internal equity.
This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus and, depending on the level of the role, long-term equity incentive awards in accordance with company policy.
Capricor Therapeutics offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage; company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; a 401(k) plan with company match; paid time off and company holidays; and paid parental leave. Additional voluntary benefits and wellness programs may also be available.
