Senior Counsel, Contract

Overview

This Senior Counsel role serves as the primary legal advisor for clinical contracting matters and provides legal support across clinical development, medical affairs, and research and development activities, with a focus on the U.S. market.

The position leads the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex clinical agreements, including CRO and clinical trial site agreements, in partnership with Clinical Operations. As the organization grows and programs advance, the scope of the role may expand to support additional contracting needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the legal drafting, review, and negotiation of agreements supporting clinical development activities, including:
  • CRO agreements
  • Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs)
  • Site agreements
  • MSAs, SOWs, and other vendor agreements
• Serve as the primary legal partner to the clinical organization on U.S.-related contracting matters, providing practical legal advice that supports clinical program objectives while managing risk appropriately
• Partner closely with Clinical Operations throughout contract development and negotiation (Legal leads legal terms; Clinical Operations contributes to and leads non-legal/operational components)
• Ensure agreement terms accurately reflect scopes of work, deliverables, milestones, timelines, budgets, payment schedules, resourcing, performance expectations, and other operational requirements
• Lead legal negotiations with CROs, clinical sites, academic medical centers, laboratories, vendors, consultants, and other third parties
• Advise on contractual matters, including:
  • intellectual property
  • indemnification and limitation of liability
  • confidentiality
  • publication rights
  • data ownership and use
  • compliance
  • insurance
  • termination
  • warranties
  • privacy
  • and other material provisions
• Partner with the clinical organization on amendments, change orders, scope changes, vendor performance matters, and contractual issues arising during clinical study execution
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure business and functional requirements are incorporated into agreements
• Identify opportunities to streamline contracting processes, improve consistency, and reduce contract cycle times
• Coordinate with outside counsel and other subject matter experts on specialized legal matters, as appropriate
• Support additional corporate contracting matters as needed

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of clinical contracting and the legal and business considerations associated with clinical drug development
• Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills, including experience with CRO, clinical site, vendor, and other clinical agreements
• Sound legal and business judgment, with the ability to assess risk and provide practical, solution-oriented advice
• Ability to independently lead complex negotiations and advise senior business stakeholders
• Ability to develop clinical contract templates, contracting standards, and processes
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Excellent organizational and record-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple contracts, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions in a small, evolving organization
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic contract management systems

Education and Licenses (Required)

• Bachelor’s degree in Legal, Business Administration, Life Sciences, or a related field
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• 8+ years of relevant legal experience, including significant experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences industry

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience drafting and negotiating complex clinical agreements, including CRO and clinical trial/site agreements
• Experience within a large pharmaceutical organization, biotechnology/life sciences company, and/or private practice supporting life sciences clients
• Commercial contracting experience within a pharmaceutical organization, biotechnology/life sciences company, and/or private practice supporting life sciences clients

Compensation & Benefits

Not specified.

Location

Focus on the U.S. market. Location details not specified.