General Counsel

Arc Institute is seeking a General Counsel to serve as a strategic legal advisor and trusted peer to leadership. The General Counsel will help identify and execute the legal pathways that enable Arc to pursue ambitious scientific and institutional goals.

Responsibilities:

• Lead legal strategy for complex collaborations, partnerships, and institutional arrangements that advance Arc’s mission.
• Advise leadership on governance, compliance, conflicts, regulatory, and risk matters.
• Oversee legal agreements with academic, industry, nonprofit, and other strategic partners.
• Identify legal pathways that enable new initiatives while protecting the Institute’s interests.
• Support business development and strategic growth initiatives.
• Build and improve legal processes, policies, and frameworks that support speed, clarity, and responsible execution.
• Manage and develop a small legal team, which includes an existing IP & Licensing function, and supervise outside counsel as needed.
• Provide clear, practical, and independent counsel to senior operational and scientific leadership.

Requirements:

• JD and Active membership in the State Bar of California, or eligibility to practice immediately as Registered In-House Counsel in California.
• Experienced leader and member of an executive team.
• Experienced people manager with track record of mentorship and skill development.
• 15+ years of relevant legal experience including significant experience in corporate, transactional, technology transfer, engineering, life sciences, or related legal work.
• Demonstrated ability to advise senior stakeholders on complex legal and strategic matters.
• Experience leading or materially supporting high-stakes negotiations and transactions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience structuring novel or complex legal arrangements in innovation-driven environments.
• Experience managing a team of IP professionals or supervising external IP counsel.
• Experience in biotech, life sciences, technology, or similarly fast-moving sectors.

The base salary range for this position is $330,000 to $400,000. This position is also eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus, and participants in the Institute’s Compound Cash Grant Program.