Vice President and General Counsel

The Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi-disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.

The mission of the Administration team is to enable the people and science of the Allen Institute. We connect teams, steward resources, and build strong systems that give our accelerators the stability and flexibility to pursue ambitious questions, collaborate across disciplines, and share their work openly.

The General Counsel (GC) serves as a strategic advisor to the senior leadership team and Board of Directors while providing practical, mission-focused legal leadership across the Institute. Reporting to the COO and serving as Corporate Secretary to the Board, the GC leads the legal function, oversees governance and compliance programs, manages enterprise risk, and supports innovation, research, and operational objectives. This role requires an experienced legal leader who can balance strategic judgment with practical execution, enable informed risk-taking, and build scalable legal and compliance capabilities that advance the Institute’s mission.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We stride to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

The successful candidate will be:

• Mission-driven and committed to advancing the Institute’s mission through insightful legal advice
• A strategic and operational leader who can balance long-term planning with hands-on execution
• An effective advisor to executive leadership and the Board, with the judgment and presence to manage complex and sensitive matters
• Skilled at identifying emerging opportunities and risks and providing actionable guidance in ambiguous situations
• A pragmatic problem solver who approaches legal risk as a tool for informed decision-making, not simply compliance
• An exceptional communicator who can translate complex legal issues into clear, actionable advice
• A builder and change agent who develops scalable legal processes, empowers teams, and drives continuous improvement
• Comfortable operating with high autonomy, accountability, and sound judgment

Corporate governance, nonprofit and tax-exempt law, AI governance, employment and benefits, export controls, intellectual property, licensing, federal contracting, research security, sponsored research, compliance, risk management, insurance, contracts, data privacy, and cybersecurity

• Serve as a trusted legal and strategic advisor to executive leadership
• Serve as board officer to the Board of Directors, supporting Board and committee governance, fiduciary responsibilities, and corporate records
• Advise on nonprofit governance, tax-exempt status, employment matters, internal investigations, and organizational policies

Legal Department Leadership

• Lead and develop the in-house legal team
• Build efficient, scalable legal operations, processes, and metrics that improve service delivery and reduce organizational risk
• Manage and oversee outside counsel and significant legal disputes
• Lead enterprise compliance programs, including research security, export controls, data privacy, AI governance, ethics, conflict of interest, and related regulatory requirements
• Oversee enterprise risk management, crisis management, insurance, records management, and policies and procedures
• Support governance and compliance requirements related to employee benefit plans

Innovation & Intellectual Property

• Provide strategic legal guidance in support of scientific innovation, open science initiatives, technology commercialization, and startup activities
• Direct intellectual property strategy, including protection, licensing, and technology transfer
• Advise on AI governance, cybersecurity, data use, and related…