Contract Specialist / Paralegal

Genus PLC has an exciting opportunity. We are looking for an experienced and detail-oriented Contract Specialist / Paralegal to join our small but dynamic in-house legal team. This is a hybrid work opportunity, coming onsite 3 days a week to our DeForest office just outside of Madison, WI. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience as a paralegal or contract specialist, with strong expertise in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating commercial contracts, confidentiality agreements, and licensing agreements under the supervision of an attorney. This role offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to the legal functions of a growing organization in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

• Review, draft, and assist in negotiating commercial and Research & Development contracts, including but not limited to:
  
  • vendor agreements, service contracts, supply agreements, licensing agreements, material and transfer agreements, research collaborations and NDAs, along with amendments and terminations to the same.
• Ensure all contracts meet the company’s strategic objectives while managing risks and maintaining compliance with legal and industry standards.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including finance, procurement, and business units to gather necessary contract information and requirements for contract drafting and negotiation.
• Maintain an organized contract management system while managing the contract lifecycle, including tracking milestones, renewals, and expirations.
• Ensure that appropriate approvals for all contracts are obtained while training others on the use of the contract management system.
• Draft and update legal templates for use by the legal and procurement teams and other stakeholders.
• Provide support for dispute resolution and investigations, including drafting cease & desist letters, sending and managing litigation holds, assembling, reviewing and redacting documents responsive to discovery requests, and other support as requested by in-house legal team.
• Assist with due diligence in connection with mergers, acquisitions and other business transactions.

• Bachelor’s degree required; paralegal certification or equivalent legal education preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of contracts experience, with a focus on contract law, commercial agreements, or university licensing.
• Experience working in-house, ideally within a publicly traded company, is strongly preferred.
• Proficient in drafting, reviewing, and interpreting complex legal documents, particularly commercial contracts and licensing agreements.
• Building and maintaining excellent working relationships across the organization and with external parties, with a focus on following up and bringing projects to completion.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, while maintaining excellent communication and collaboration with supervising attorneys and other team members.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines. Project Management experience is a plus.
• Excellent organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word’s track changes function, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint, and contract management lifecycle systems (e.g., Agiloft).
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

Genus is an agricultural biotechnology pioneer. We are a global FTSE 250 company, headquartered in the UK, and listed on the London Stock Exchange.  Genus PLC has a presence in over 70 countries and a global workforce of over 3,000 employees and growing.  We are a worldwide leader in porcine and bovine animal genetics, partnering with farmers to transform how we nourish the world – a mission that is important to a sustainable future. 

Our vision is clear: Pioneering animal genetic improvement to help sustainably nourish the world.

At Genus we offer a competitive salary. Benefits include health, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, long and short-term disability, 401K, tuition reimbursement, paid holidays and ETO (employee time off). 

Genus is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Genus prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Genus conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. 

Genus plc will never ask you to provide fees or payment for computer, software, or other equipment or supplies during the recruitment and/or onboarding process. If you have any questions about your individual application, please contact the Genus Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@genusplc.com.