Job Details

Location: HQ in Foster City, CA (on site)

Reports To: Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary

Who We Are:

Terns Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing transformative therapies for serious diseases, including cancer and obesity. As a mission-driven, science-focused team, we are committed to innovation, collaboration, and execution. As we continue to grow and evolve as a public biopharma company, we are looking to expand our legal team with a seasoned, hands-on yet strategic Associate General Counsel (AGC).

Who We Are Looking For:

The Associate General Counsel (AGC) will serve as a trusted legal advisor on a broad spectrum of matters spanning corporate, securities, compliance, and data privacy. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, this individual will play a strategic and hands-on role in managing critical legal functions that enable the organization's growth and operational excellence. Responsibilities include supporting public company reporting obligations, advising on corporate governance, ensuring compliance with privacy and data protection regulations, and providing counsel on a variety of legal and business issues that arise across the company.

This role will work cross-functionally with key stakeholders in Finance, HR, Investor Relations, IT, Clinical, and other departments to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice and help navigate complex regulatory landscapes. The position offers significant visibility and impact, contributing to strategic initiatives, risk management, and process improvements across the organization.

This is a dynamic opportunity to join a high-growth, mission-driven company at the intersection of innovative science, business strategy, and regulatory compliance—where you will influence key decisions and help shape the future of the organization.

What You'll Do:

Securities & Public Company Reporting

• Provide legal support and advice regarding the preparation and filing of ‘33 and ‘34 Act filings including 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, proxy statements, insider filings.
• Partner with Finance and IR on earnings releases, investor communications, and Regulation FD compliance.
• Monitor and advise on evolving securities laws, stock exchange rules, and disclosure trends to ensure proactive compliance and risk mitigation.

Corporate Governance & General Corporate Matters

• Support board of directors and committee governance, including drafting materials and minutes.
• Oversee governance best practices and maintain corporate policies (e.g., Insider Trading, Code of Conduct).
• Manage corporate recordkeeping and entity management (including subsidiaries).

Transactions Support

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements (e.g., MSAs, consulting agreements) and advise business stakeholders with practical, solutions-focused guidance.
• Support strategic transactions, including partnerships, collaborations, financings, and related due diligence.

Privacy & Data Protection

• Provide counsel on compliance with domestic and global privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA).
• Develop and implement privacy policies, procedures, and training.
• Partner with IT, HR, and Clinical teams to assess data use and ensure risk mitigation.
• Advise on data security incidents and support incident response planning, breach notification, and remediation efforts.

Cross-Functional Legal Support

• Support HR, Clinical, Regulatory, and Commercial teams on contracting, risk, and compliance matters.
• Coordinate with external counsel on complex or specialized matters.

What You'll Bring to Our Team:

• J.D. from an ABA–accredited law school and licensed to practice in California (Registered in house counsel) or at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum 12 years of legal experience, including:
• Prior law firm experience required (3–6 years at a reputable law firm), with a focus on corporate, securities, or life sciences transactions strongly preferred.
• Significant in-house experience at a public biotechnology or pharmaceutical company (3–7+ years), including hands-on responsibility for SEC reporting, corporate governance, and a broad range of operational legal matters.
• Deep understanding of public company operations and the biotech regulatory environment.
• Familiarity with employment law and general corporate matters
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment in a hands-on, detailed fashion.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize multiple tasks, and communicate effectively across functions and levels.
• High integrity, sound judgment, attention to detail, and business acumen.
• Passion for supporting innovation and improving human health.

Why Join Terns Pharmaceuticals?

At Terns, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact at a company on the forefront of transforming oncology and metabolic treatments. You'll work alongside a passionate and experienced team driven by science and innovation and committed to improving the lives of patients. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of a promising biopharma company at a pivotal moment in its journey.

The expected base pay for this full-time exempt position is $295 – 350K + bonus + equity + benefits. At Terns, our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The ranges are subject to change and individual pay within that range can vary for several reasons including location, skills/capabilities, experience, and available budget.

Terns Pharmaceuticals is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status and to affirmatively seek to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity.