Corporate Counsel

Place in the Organization

uniQure is dedicated to bringing innovative therapies or unmet medical needs to patients. In doing so each function in uniQure is directly or indirectly responsible for the lives of patients. This responsibility is part of our day-to-day work life by (i) living up to high quality standards and (ii) by recognizing the sense of urgency in areas of high medical need.

Key result areas (major duties, accountabilities and responsibilities)  

We are seeking an experienced, versatile Corporate Counsel to manage a wide range of corporate legal responsibilities, including general corporate contracts (leases, IT, facilities, etc.), SEC filings, annual shareholder meetings, business development, investor relations, financing, litigation, and corporate governance.  

The role will report to the company’s Chief Legal Officer and will work cross-functionally with internal departments and external resources as required on legal issues, to support and advance global corporate activities, ensure compliance with corporate regulatory and legal requirements, proactively identify legal risks, and coordinate with and support key stakeholders to ensure progress towards company goals. This involves close collaboration with the internal business teams to ensure an understanding of their needs, and foster partnerships, provide continuous improvement across the company, and contribute positively to the company’s culture.

This role is best suited for a seasoned, versatile and strategic lawyer with at least 15 years of legal experience.  In-house, industry and management experience are required. 

• Collaborate cross-functionally with multiple stakeholders within the company, including business development, human resources, IT, investor relations, and finance to understand and support their legal needs in a proactive manner.
• Support the company’s global corporate contracting needs for finance, IT, facilities, and other assigned functions.
• Collaborate with business development and Intellectual Property colleagues to execute on corporate objectives by advising on the structure of and negotiating complex business arrangements.
• Collaborate with functional stakeholders to support and execute the company’s outsourced model in various areas of the business.
• Collaborate with alliance management, embedded procurement functions and finance to facilitate the company’s execution of completed agreements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable securities regulations by overseeing the preparation and review of SEC filings, including the company’s proxy statement, 10-Qs, 10-Ks, 8-Ks, earnings materials and other investor presentations.
• Ensure compliance with US and Dutch corporate laws and regulations. 
• Oversee the conduct of annual and any special meetings of stockholders.
• Support CLO on corporate governance matters.
• Support the CLO and CFO on matters related to the global corporate structure, operating subsidiaries and intercompany agreements.
• Advise on public disclosure obligations and collaborate with investor relations/corporate communications and senior management on preparation and review of press releases, social media posts and other external communications.
• Oversee legal efforts in relation to ESG.
• Partner with finance team on corporate finance initiatives.
• Support CLO on non-intellectual property ligation matters.
• Advise on insider trading and Section 16 issues for directors and executive officers and employees. 
• Keep up to date on new laws, regulations and industry trends affecting public life science companies operating in the US and the Netherlands.

#LI-EB1

• Experience managing with the demonstrated ability to grow and develop strong, business-oriented legal teams.
• Sound SEC compliance experience including the preparation and filing of SEC documents and preparation of company proxy statements. Strong understanding of corporate governance.
• Experience managing financial transactions, and ESG legal matters.
• Strong technical/analytical skills, combined with a practical, business-oriented and strategic approach to identifying and solving business and legal problems and to provide balanced, solution-oriented guidance.
• Extensive knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, guidance, and industry codes.
• Unquestionable ethics, integrity, and judgment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• A commitment to be a collegial team player with a healthy sense of humor and a strong interest in advancing corporate culture.
• Juris Doctor degree with excellent academic credentials.
• Applicant must be a member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar or another Bar in the U.S.
• At least 15+ years of experience ideally gained at a well-regarded law firm followed by in-house role(s) at a global, publicly traded growth-oriented company of similar.