Sr. Counsel, Global Alliance Legal

Overview

A leading biopharmaceutical organization is seeking a Senior Counsel for their Global Alliances Legal team. This role focuses on managing strategic external collaborations from discovery through commercialization, with an emphasis on AI partnerships and collaborations in Immunology and Immuno-Oncology. The position requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration with research and development, corporate strategy, business development, commercial teams, and other corporate functions.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Global Alliances, asset strategy teams, disease strategy teams, and R&D leadership to align legal strategy with portfolio objectives and support collaborative decision-making throughout the product life cycle.
• Advise teams focused on Immunology, Oncology, and Artificial Intelligence on alliance, partnership, and collaboration matters across the pharmaceutical life cycle.
• Interpret and analyze complex strategic agreements such as licenses, collaborations, and other alliances; provide clear legal advice to business and leadership regarding research, development, and commercialization of partnered pharmaceutical products.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements including licenses, collaboration agreements, co-development and co-promotion agreements, and other complex R&D agreements.
• Collaborate with the Transactions Legal team to evaluate, structure, and negotiate new collaborations in Immunology, Immuno-Oncology, and Artificial Intelligence; support due diligence and integration planning.
• Provide clear legal guidance to clients and legal leadership to maximize pipeline potential.
• Serve as a resource for senior management, business stakeholders, and attorneys on innovative approaches in complex areas of law, business, and technology.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and must meet professional licensing requirements of the practicing state.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, including:
  • Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating life science/pharma transactions, especially global collaborations.
  • Advising business clients and senior management on complex global collaborations.
  • Advising on pharmaceutical research and development.
• Experience with AI/ML technologies in drug development is preferred.
• Scientific background (undergraduate or graduate education in sciences) or strong interest in biology and chemistry.
• Basic understanding of scientific, development, regulatory, and commercial concepts in early and late-stage development programs.
• Proven ability to work autonomously, take initiative, and drive successful business outcomes.
• Advanced legal analysis and communication skills.
• Strong business judgment and ability to quickly identify and address critical legal and business issues.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary with a range dependent on geographic location and other factors.
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick leave), medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Eligibility to participate in long-term incentive programs.

Location

This role requires in-office presence at least three days per week at one of the following locations:

• Abbott Park, North Chicago, IL
• Waltham, MA campus
• South San Francisco, CA campus

The organization is an equal opportunity employer committed to integrity, innovation, and community service. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants as required by law.