At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal support for the commercialisation of medicines in a dynamic pharmaceutical environment.
- Company: Leading global pharmaceutical organisation with a collaborative UK legal team.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and potential contract extension.
- Other info: Opportunity for high-quality legal work and career growth in a complex regulatory landscape.
- Why this job: Join a top-tier company and make a real impact in the pharmaceutical sector.
- Qualifications: 8+ years PQE, strong knowledge of ABPI Code, and experience in UK pharmaceutical law.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
A leading global pharmaceutical organisation is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join its UK legal team on an initial 6-month contract, with the potential for extension. Based in London on a hybrid basis, the contract is full-time, though part-time working arrangements could be considered for the right candidate.
Working closely with senior legal and business stakeholders, you will provide broad commercial legal support relating to the commercialisation of medicines in the UK. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced pharmaceutical lawyer to work across a varied portfolio of commercial, regulatory, data privacy and strategic matters within a complex, highly regulated environment.
Reporting into the Legal Director, you will provide pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice to stakeholders across commercial, medical, market access, corporate affairs and other business functions. Your responsibilities will include:
- Advising on the commercialisation, sales and marketing of medicines in the UK, including ABPI Code, NHS collaborations, grants, sponsorships and reimbursement matters
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a range of commercial agreements, including services, sponsorship, collaboration, distribution and NHS-facing contracts
- Providing advice across data privacy, competition, AI, supply chain and investigator-sponsored research matters
- Partnering with cross-functional teams to identify and manage legal risk, providing practical and commercially focused solutions
You will be a senior commercial lawyer, likely 8+ years' PQE as a guideline, with considerable in-house experience. Previous experience advising a UK pharmaceutical or biotechnology business on its sales and marketing activities is essential.
You will demonstrate:
- Strong knowledge of the ABPI Code, with experience advising on NHS collaborations, grants, sponsorships, reimbursement and other pharmaceutical-sector matters
- Broad commercial contracting experience alongside a solid grounding in competition law and UK/EU data privacy
- Strong stakeholder management skills and experience partnering with commercial, marketing, medical and compliance teams within a large corporate environment
- The ability to manage a varied workload and provide pragmatic advice across both straightforward and complex matters
- Current SRA Practising Certificate, although candidates with a current overseas practising certificate and considerable UK experience may also be considered.
£650-£735 per day PAYE, dependent on experience. Initial 6-month contract with potential for extension. Hybrid working from a London office, preferably at least 2 days per week on-site. Opportunity to undertake broad, high-quality legal work within a leading global pharmaceutical business.
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Senior Legal Counsel (6-month FTC) in London employer: Hays Legal
Join a prestigious regional law firm renowned for its exceptional Employment practice, where you will thrive in a collaborative and supportive work culture. With a strong commitment to employee development, this firm offers ample opportunities for professional growth and advancement, making it an ideal place for those seeking a meaningful and rewarding career in law.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel (6-month FTC) in London
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Hays Legal.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Hays Legal does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Hays Legal.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel (6-month FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Hays Legal and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Legal
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Senior Legal Counsel (6-month FTC) role at Hays Legal. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Hays Legal.
