Senior Director Legal NEAD

Job Description

Summary

The Senior Director, Legal Lead NEAD / CF  (“Regional Legal Lead”) reports to the VP, Head of Legal for International and acts as the de facto general counsel for the NEAD region comprising the UK, Ireland, Nordics, Australia and New Zealand countries as well as the Distributor markets, each at a different stage of access to the Vertex Cystic Fibrosis and Hematology products. In addition, the Regional Legal Lead heads up International legal support for the Cystic Fibrosis disease area.

The role sits on the leadership team for the region and is an integral member of the x-functional disease area team. This role will also support other markets and projects in International and globally as required.

The role oversees a team of lawyers.

The role is based in Paddington/London.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business and Legal Support to Region

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

Strategic Business and Legal Support to Disease Area

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)

Other responsibilities 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

Professional Competencies

• 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

Personal Qualities

• 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

Flex Designation:

Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status:

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.

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 [email protected]