Director Legal International, New Product Planning (Legal Senior Counsel)

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Job Description

Director Legal Senior Counsel, (New Product Planning)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a pharmaceutical lawyer for a newly created role supporting its fast-growing International New Product Planning business.

The Company

Vertex is a global biotechnology company which develops and commercializes innovative medicines with the aim of transforming the lives of patients with serious diseases. Vertex invests well above the industry average in research and development to drive scientific innovation.

We currently have four marketed products (all for people with cystic fibrosis) and a robust pipeline of investigational small molecule and cell and genetic therapies across areas including sickle cell disease, beta thalassemia, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, pain, type 1 diabetes, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Over two-thirds of our workforce is in research and development.

For several years in a row, Science Magazine has named Vertex one of its Top Employers in life sciences. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry.

The Role And Key Responsibilities

This newly created Legal Director position is required due to business growth and market expansion, will be based at our London IHQ in Paddington, and report to the Senior Director Legal International. The Legal Director will be part of the newly created International New Products Planning division, focusing on commercialisation launch strategies across a number of therapy areas with a leading focus on diabetes and APOL1-mediated kidney disease. Our pipeline includes cell and gene therapies providing the opportunity to work on innovative, fast evolving areas of pharmaceutical law.

The Successful Candidate Will Be Required To

• 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 of medicinal products;
• Review of activities and materials relating to disease awareness, medical education, and strategic plans;
• Apply understanding of the company’s business strategies in analysing problems and developing innovative solutions for internal clients enabling management of risk while maximising opportunity;
• Educate, inform, and solicit feedback from stakeholders about policies and legal considerations impacting the business;
• Translate complex information into clear, concise, and logical advice and other communications for internal and external stakeholders;
• Research and develop subject matter expertise in new and complex areas of law (including in relation to cellular therapies); and
• Partner effectively with the broader Legal and Compliance (Business Integrity & Ethics) teams (based in the UK, US and internationally), and with internal clients as a trusted, reliable and strategic business partner.
  

Professional Competencies

• Qualified lawyer with experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal team or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience of advising or working in the life sciences sector, and in particular with pharmaceuticals, biotechnology or a medical device company;
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and codes governing the pharmaceutical industry (with agility to build and share knowledge);
• Ability to research and understand laws and regulations across multiple geographies;
• Flexibility to work in a fast paced and dynamic work environment with a strong work ethic and positive attitude; and
• Fluency in English
  

Personal Qualities

• Highest ethical standards and very good 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;
• A willingness to learn the company’s historical approach to risk in the range of workstreams that the role supports and take this into consideration when advising clients;
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, emotional intelligence and a service-oriented attitude;
• Ability to manage multiple matters and clients in parallel and provide clear, concise advice in a fast-paced work environment;
• Proactive self-starter with strong project management skills, dependable but can set boundaries;
• Strives to continuously learn and grow and help others do the same; and
• A team-player who actively works to maintain a trusting and safe work environment among all colleagues.
  

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person’s race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Please note that Vertex requires COVID-19 vaccination for all employees working in the U.S. as a condition of employment at Vertex, subject to medical, religious or other accommodations or exemptions required by law. We believe this requirement is vital to keeping everyone at Vertex and in our communities safe. This requirement applies to both existing and new employees who may at any time work on-site at a Vertex facility or visit another location on behalf of Vertex (e.g., conferences, customer visits, etc.), including all remote employees. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com.