Senior Director Legal NEAD

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

27d ago

Job
Full-time
Expert Level
Legal
Healthcare
London
Quick Apply

AI generated summary

You must have 10+ years PQE, 5+ in-house legal experience in life sciences, strong people management, commercial expertise, and excellent communication skills to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
You will provide legal guidance, manage risk, support product life cycles, draft agreements, and collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to achieve strategic goals.

Requirements

Qualified lawyer with 10+ years PQE and 5+ years in-house legal experience
Experience of advising or working in the life sciences sector, preferably in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology or medical device companies
Experienced people manager with proven track record in leading teams and developing talent
Experienced business partner having managed large and diverse group of internal and external stakeholders
Hands-on experience in commercialization pharmaceutical products in diverse range of mature and emerging markets including including Russia/CIS, Middle East and LATAM
Experience in drafting and negotiation complex agreements
Experience working cross-culturally in an international, cross-border environment
Solid working knowledge of the laws, regulations and industry standards applicable to the area of responsibility including ABPI and EFPIA codes
Fluency in English; additional language skills preferred
Highest ethical standards and excellent legal judgment
Hands-on problem-solver with strong business acumen and common sense, who sees law as only one of many ways to find solutions and have the ability to question conventional approaches
Strong inter-cultural awareness
Excellent communication and influencing skills, emotional intelligence and a service-oriented attitude
Ability to explain complex legal matters in a manner that non-lawyers will understand, an ability to present well, and the ability to build and maintain effective rapport with all colleagues
Ability to manage multiple matters and clients in parallel and provide clear, concise advice in a fast-paced work environment
Resilient with ability to manage demanding clients and push back on competing demands from
Highly flexible and willing to support and work with different clients, functional areas and team members depending on demand
Proactive self-starter with strong project management skills, dependable but can set boundaries
A person who strives to continuously learn and grow and help others do the same
A team-player who actively works to maintain a trusting and safe work environment among all colleagues
Role model in cross-functional collaboration

Responsibilities

Serves as a trusted resource and partner to regional and country leadership
Actively contributes to achieving the region’s objectives and long-term strategic goals, effectively and efficiently managing risk and maximizing opportunities
Active member of regional leadership team, taking ownership for regional success and contributing to all (not only legal) issues in region; member of country leadership teams, as applicable
Advises on a broad range of corporate and commercial legal issues, including:
Drafting and negotiation of price and reimbursement agreements including early access
Drafting and negotiation of distribution, wholesaler, and service agreements
Expansion into new geographies and establishment of new legal entities
Evaluation and due diligence of (distribution) partners
Review and approval of commercial and non-commercial materials, activities and communication (including press releases, social media, patient support programs, market research, disease education, medical education) as well as strategic and tactical plans
Product related legal support at all stages of product life cycle, including product launch (pre-marketing) activities, promotional including digital activities, lifecycle and product portfolio management
Actively advises regional lead team on legal developments in region
Crisis and risk management
Serves as a trusted resource and partner to CF leadership in INTL
Actively contributes to achieving the disease area’s objectives and long-term strategic goals, effectively and efficiently managing risk and maximizing opportunities
Active member of x-functional disease area team
Advises on a broad range of legal issues, including:
Review and approval of commercial and non-commercial materials, activities and communication (including press releases, social media, patient support programs, market research, disease education, medical education) as well as strategic and tactical plans
Life cycle management and loss of exclusivity
Copy product and compulsory licenses
Drafting and negotiation of contracts
Expansion into new geographies and establishment of new legal entities
For cellular therapies, support ATC activation incl. training materials and quality approvals, and related agreements
For pipeline products, advise and support new product planning and commercialisation strategy in preparation for the launch of future pharmaceutical products, including market characterisation, labelling and reimbursement strategy, medical affairs, government affairs, real world evidence and supply, distribution and logistics of medicinal products including required licenses for import/export
Research and develop subject matter expertise in new and complex areas of law
Legal subject matter expert for disease area, providing information and advice to regional legal teams that are either commercializing or preparing to commercialize pipeline product(s)
Leads and manages team of lawyers and outside counsel secondees/contractors
As member of INTL Legal Leadership team, drives team culture of high engagement, collaboration, knowledge sharing and continuous learning
Drives culture of informed and balanced risk taking and designing and delivering client training on key legal issues in accordance with Legal training curriculum
Drives and contributes to department and cross-functional governance and process improvement projects
Participates in other Legal & Compliance Department initiatives and effectively sharing information with regional and Global colleagues within the Department
Efficient and effective use of external counsel
Partners effectively with the broader Legal, IP and Compliance teams based in the UK, US and internationally

FAQs

What is the location of the Senior Director Legal NEAD position?

The position is based in Paddington/London.

Who does the Senior Director Legal NEAD report to?

The Senior Director Legal NEAD reports to the VP, Head of Legal for International.

What are the primary regions covered by the NEAD role?

The NEAD role covers the UK, Ireland, Nordics, Australia, New Zealand, and Distributor markets.

What kind of experience is required for this role?

The role requires a qualified lawyer with 10+ years PQE, including 5+ years of in-house legal experience, preferably in the life sciences sector.

What type of agreements will the Senior Director be involved in?

The Senior Director will be involved in drafting and negotiating price and reimbursement agreements, distribution, wholesaler, and service agreements, among others.

Will the Senior Director lead a team?

Yes, the Senior Director oversees a team of lawyers.

Is fluency in any language other than English preferred for this position?

Yes, additional language skills are preferred.

What personal qualities are important for this role?

Important personal qualities include high ethical standards, strong business acumen, excellent communication skills, and the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly.

Is this position eligible for hybrid work?

Yes, this position is hybrid-eligible, allowing for remote work up to two days per week.

Does Vertex offer equal employment opportunities?

Yes, Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

The Science of Possibility

Science & Healthcare

Industry

1001-5000

Employees

1989

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. We discovered and developed the first medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare, life-threatening genetic disease. In addition to clinical development programs in CF, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing research programs focused on the underlying mechanisms of other serious diseases. Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, our corporate headquarters is now located in Boston’s Innovation District, and our international headquarters is in London, United Kingdom. We currently employ approximately 3,500 people in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and Latin America with nearly two-thirds of our staff dedicated to research and development. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry’s top places to work by Science Magazine, The Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal and the San Diego Business Journal. Our research and medicines have also received esteemed recognitions, including the Robert J. Beall Therapeutics Development Award, the French Prix Galien and the British Pharmacological Society awards.