Overview
A biopharmaceutical oncology company is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to manage the Contracts Team within the Legal Department. This role involves leading the review, negotiation, and execution of complex contracts across multiple departments including clinical operations, research and development, medical affairs, finance, human resources, IT, and more. The position reports to the General Counsel and requires collaboration with various internal stakeholders to ensure contracts protect the organization from risk, support business objectives, and comply with company guidelines.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary legal advisor for contracts across all departments, including clinical operations, R&D, medical affairs, business development, HR, IT, finance, manufacturing, quality, commercial, and facilities
- Update and maintain company guidelines, policies, and SOPs related to contract review and processes; train the Contracts Team and relevant departments on new policies and procedures
- Draft, review, analyze, and negotiate clinical-related contracts such as clinical trial agreements, investigator-sponsored studies, strategic clinical trial collaborations, sponsored research agreements, and contracts with contract research organizations (CROs)
- Also draft, review, and negotiate financing agreements, collaboration and partnership agreements, consulting agreements, master services agreements, promotional speaker bureau agreements, vendor and service contracts, IT software license agreements, HR benefit and contractor agreements, leases, and confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements
- Supervise and address contract escalations from junior attorneys and paralegals, ensuring compliance with legal guidelines and procedures
- Review and revise Legal Department guidelines and procedures related to the contract lifecycle
- Act as legal liaison between internal business units and external parties, escalating issues to General Counsel as needed to reduce risk and meet business objectives
- Respond promptly to complex inquiries regarding contract obligations and revisions
- Identify risks and propose alternatives that balance business objectives and risk mitigation
- Collaborate with IP Counsel, Regulatory Counsel, Commercial Counsel, and Compliance Department to handle relevant issues efficiently
- Work with Quality Assurance on quality-related matters
- Prepare and modify template agreements to ensure compliance with laws and internal guidelines; train the Contracts Team on updates
- Oversee the company’s Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system; propose improvements and coordinate with IT for changes and training
- Maintain clear communication with employees and external parties regarding contract status and issues
- Perform miscellaneous legal tasks or special assignments as needed
Requirements
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
- Admission to a U.S. state bar in good standing
- Minimum 10+ years of experience in a major law firm and/or in-house legal department within pharmaceutical, medical device, or healthcare sectors
- At least 5+ years of experience reviewing and negotiating Clinical Trial Agreements (U.S. and international), Investigator Sponsored Studies, and Clinical Trial Collaboration Agreements
- Strong drafting and legal analysis skills with knowledge of regulations, statutes, and industry guidelines impacting clinical trials, pharmaceutical research, development, and commercial contracts, including U.S. and GDPR data privacy laws
- Ability to make decisive contract decisions balancing business objectives and legal risk
- Practical and clear communication skills for advising business teams
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, working knowledge of Excel and Teams, and ability to quickly learn contract lifecycle management software
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to work effectively with all levels of management
- Strong organizational, planning skills, and meticulous attention to detail
- Self-starter capable of working independently and collaboratively
- Leadership experience managing multiple attorneys and legal professionals
- Ability to handle competing priorities in a fast-paced environment with sound commercial and legal judgment
- Flexibility to adapt to a rapidly changing business environment
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary range: $230,000 to $280,000 annually
- Actual compensation depends on factors such as skill set, experience, certifications, and work location
- Total compensation package may include bonus, stock options, benefits, and other variable compensation
Location
- Headquarters located in Miami, Florida, with additional offices in California, New Jersey, the UK, and Ireland
Note: This employer does not accept unsolicited referrals from employment agencies without prior written authorization.