Senior Director, US Employment Law

Job description

Cambridge, US | full time | Job ID: 11739 About the role The Senior Director, US Employment Law will serve as BioNTech’s lead legal advisor on labor and employment matters in the United States and as a key member of the global Legal team. This role will partner closely with Human Resources, U.S. leadership, Compliance, and other business functions to provide timely, practical, and risk-based advice across the employment lifecycle. The successful candidate will combine strategic judgment with hands-on execution. The role requires an experienced employment lawyer who can navigate complex and sensitive matters, support a geographically distributed workforce, manage contentious proceedings, and develop scalable solutions that align U.S. requirements with BioNTech’s global policies and business objectives. Your contributions • Serve as the principal Legal advisor on U.S. labor and employment matters, providing clear, practical, and timely guidance to Human Resources, U.S. leadership, managers, and other stakeholders. • Advise across the employment lifecycle, including recruiting and hiring, compensation and benefits-related employment issues, accommodations and leaves, performance management, disciplinary actions, terminations, reductions in force, and post-employment obligations. • Provide dedicated support for executive and senior management employment matters, including offer arrangements, employment agreements, separations, restrictive covenants, compensation-related employment issues, and incentive-related questions, in coordination with relevant subject matter experts. • Partner with Human Resources and Compliance on sensitive employee relations matters and internal investigations, including whistleblower and retaliation allegations, and help ensure fair, consistent, and well-documented processes. • Develop strategy and manage outside counsel in connection with administrative charges, agency inquiries, employment litigation, arbitration, mediation, and other contentious matters. • Monitor developments in federal, state, and local labor and employment law; assess business impact and translate legal requirements into practical policies, processes, communications, and manager guidance for a multi-state workforce. • Together with Human Resources, Develop and maintain scalable U.S. employment policies, templates, playbooks, and training that align with applicable law and BioNTech’s global frameworks. • Advise on restructurings, business integrations, and cross-border employment considerations affecting U.S. employees. • Provide employment-law support for corporate transactions, collaborations, and other strategic projects, including due diligence, risk assessment, and implementation planning, as needed. • Collaborate with Legal colleagues and cross-functional partners across jurisdictions and time zones to promote consistent, business-focused approaches while appropriately addressing U.S.-specific requirements. • Identify matters requiring specialized external advice; select, instruct, and oversee outside counsel with a focus on quality, efficiency, and practical outcomes. • Design and deliver training and coaching for Human Resources, managers, and business leaders on employment-law risks, effective decision-making, and workplace best practices. A Good Match • Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar. • At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience practicing U.S. labor and employment law, with substantial experience advising employers. In-house experience in a multinational, matrixed organization is strongly preferred. • Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local employment-law requirements and demonstrated experience designing practical solutions for a geographically distributed, multi-state workforce. • Substantial experience handling sensitive employee relations matters, internal investigations, employment disputes, administrative proceedings, and litigation strategy. • Demonstrated ability to advise on executive employment arrangements, separations, restrictive covenants, and compensation-related employment issues in partnership with relevant specialists. • Life sciences, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical industry experience is preferred, particularly in a fast-paced and highly regulated environment. Experience with commercial sales organizations is helpful. • Excellent legal judgment and the ability to translate complex, jurisdiction-specific issues into concise, actionable advice for Human Resources, managers, senior executives, and colleagues outside the United States. • Proven ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution, make sound recommendations amid ambiguity, and drive matters to resolution. • High emotional intelligence, discretion, integrity, and accountability, with excellent written and verbal communication and strong stakeholder-management skills. • Proactive, collaborative, and self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively across functions, jurisdictions, and time zones. Your benefits and remuneration: Expected Pay Range: $198,900year to $318,300/year + benefits, annual bonus & equity (bonus and equity is variable and dependent on company and individual performance). Compensation for the role will depend on several factors, including responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. BioNTech US is committed to employee wellbeing and offers best-in-class benefits & HR programs to support an inclusive & diverse workforce. Salaried/Position-Targeted Hourly Employees working 30+ hours per week are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include but are not limited to: Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Life, AD&D, Critical Illness Insurance Pre-tax HSA & FSA, DCRA Spending Accounts Employee Assistance & Concierge Program (EAP) available 24/7 Parental and Childbirth Leave & Family Planning Assistance Sitterstream: Virtual Tutoring & Childcare Membership Paid Time Off: Vacation, Sick, Bereavement, Holidays (including Floating) & Year-End U.S. Shutdown. 401(K) Plan with Company Match Tuition Reimbursement & Student Loan Assistance Programs Wellbeing Incentive Platforms & Incentives Professional Development Programs Commuting Allowance and subsidized parking Discounted Home, Auto & Pet Insurance …and more! More details to be shared. Home to dozens of research institutions, biopharmaceutical companies, life science incubators, venture capital firms, and over 30 million square feet of laboratory space, Cambridge, Massachusetts has earned a reputation as the #1 life science cluster in the world. As part of the Greater Boston area, the city is often referred to as the "biotech supercluster" due to its high concentration of life sciences firms. This unique ecosystem is the result of a model partnership between academia and industry, fostering collaboration and innovation and driving the development of new therapies, medical devices, and diagnostics. As Cambridge’s thriving life sciences industry continues to evolve, the city remains a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, poised to shape the future of science and technology. Apply now - We look forward to your application! Apply for our Cambridge, US location and simply send us your documents using our online form. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that a background check will be conducted as part of the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. If you are considered for the position, BioNTech will conduct the background check through our service provider ‘HireRight’. You will be informed accordingly by your BioNTech-Recruiter.