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- Tasks: Lead legal strategy for global partnerships and corporate transactions in the biopharmaceutical sector.
- Company: Ipsen Pharma, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on transformative medicines.
- Benefits: Join a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth with a focus on patient impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare while shaping legal strategies in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Law degree, 10+ years of experience in transactional law, preferably in life sciences.
- Other info: Empowerment and inclusion are at the heart of our workplace culture.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
About Ipsen: Ipsen is a mid-sized global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on transformative medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. Supported by nearly 100 years of development experience, with global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K, we tackle areas of high unmet medical need through research and innovation. Our passionate teams in more than 40 countries are focused on what matters and endeavor every day to bring medicines to patients in 88 countries. We build a workplace that champions human-centric leadership and fosters a culture of collaboration, excellence and impact. At Ipsen, every individual is empowered to be their true selves, grow and thrive alongside the company’s success. Join us on our journey towards sustainable growth, creating real impact on patients and society!
Job Description: The Vice President of Legal, Transactions & Corporate Legal will be a core member and strategic trusted legal advisor, providing expert guidance across the company’s global partnering, external innovation, and strategic alliance initiatives. As a senior member of the Legal organization, this role will deliver high-impact legal leadership in support of transformative business transactions and collaborations (M&A, BD&L, Strategic Alliances), and corporate legal matters. The role requires deep expertise in transactional structuring, corporate governance, and the regulatory frameworks governing the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. The head will provide thought leadership on deal strategy and execution, lead by example, and collaborate closely with R&D, Business Development, Corporate Finance, and Compliance to enable business growth while safeguarding the company’s legal and ethical standards.
Main Responsibilities & Technical Competencies
- Strategic Legal Advisor
- Serve as the legal lead to Ipsen’s legal strategy for global partnering transactions, M&A, and strategic alliances, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and mindful risk taking, under the supervision of SVP Legal Transactions, Corporate Legal & Litigation.
- Provide direct, high-impact legal counsel to the EVP CBO on BD&L transactions in particular early stage deals.
- Represent Ipsen in high-stakes negotiations on M&A, BD&L and Strategic Alliances, safeguarding the company’s interests and reputation.
- Support the SVP Legal Transactions, Corporate Legal & Litigation on litigation matters.
- Drive transformation initiatives within the Legal function, fostering a culture of innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Transactional legal lead
- Lead and oversee the drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex commercial and corporate agreements related to M&A, Business Development & Licensing (BD&L), and Strategic Alliances.
- Be the focal point of contact for Global Partnering Early Stage team, evaluating potential contractual arrangements to identify and address legal risks and strategic opportunities.
- Provide post-deal, counsel on contract interpretation, compliance, and implementation, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory frameworks together with the Legal Asset Brand Team and US Commercial Legal.
- Lead the proactive management of existing Strategic Alliances, ensuring adherence to contractual commitments and long-term value creation.
- Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
- Oversee the development and implementation of global governance frameworks, ensuring best-in-class compliance and ethical standards.
- Partner closely with Business Ethics & Compliance to reinforce an ethical culture and ensure consistent execution of compliance initiatives.
- Act and lead major investigations, crisis management, and regulatory responses.
- Resolve, settle, and escalate contractual disputes in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external counsel, as needed.
- Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration
- Maintain close coordination with the Legal Asset Brand Team to ensure alignment and efficiency across global legal operations.
- Collaborate with the IP Legal Team on BD&L projects to protect and optimize intellectual property rights.
- Work effectively with corporate Finance, M&A Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Insurance & Risk Management, Quality, and Regulatory functions to provide integrated legal support.
- Forge and maintain strategic partnerships with key external stakeholders, including regulators, industry associations, and global business partners.
- Leadership & Team Management
- Build, inspire, and lead a high-performing legal team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability.
- Manage, coach, and develop the internal stakeholders providing direction, feedback, and professional growth opportunities.
- Supervise Legal Interns to support their development and ensure the effective contribution of early-career legal talent.
- Develop together with SVP Legal Transaction and Litigation, the succession planning and talent development strategies to ensure a robust Legal Transaction team.
- Manage and ability to challenge external counsel relationships to ensure quality, efficiency, and cost control.
- Lead and contribute to Legal Department initiatives focused on operational excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous process improvement.
HOW - Knowledge & Experience
- Education / Certifications (essential):
- Law degree (LLB, LLM) from a law school in a civil law jurisdiction (France or other European countries) or common law jurisdiction.
- For civil law lawyers, an LLM from a common law jurisdiction is a +.
- Admitted to NY and French Bar.
- +10 years of legal experience in the domain in drafting, reviewing, negotiating and completing various types of transactional documents, with a particular emphasis on BD&L and M&A in the life sciences industry in multiple geographies and jurisdictions.
- Previous in-house experience is required or equivalent experience in private practice/in a law firm advising such life sciences companies.
- Thorough understanding of legal principle application to licensing, research, development, commercial, supply, manufacturing, distribution, corporate, procurement, regulatory.
- Language(s) (essential):
- Fluency in English, both oral (negotiations with external partners) and strong writing skills.
- French or other languages are a +.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported, where we embody 'The Real Us'. The value we place on diverse perspectives and experiences drives our commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities. By integrating diverse ways of thinking, we make more thoughtful decisions and discover more innovative solutions. Together, we strive to better understand the communities we serve. This means we also want to help you be your best self when applying for a position with us. If you need accommodations or assistance during the application process, please inform the recruitment team. This information will be handled with care and will not impact the outcome of your application.
Vice President of Legal, Transactions & Corporate Legal employer: Ipsen Group
Contact Detail:
Ipsen Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice President of Legal, Transactions & Corporate Legal
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal and pharmaceutical sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or decision-makers at Ipsen. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Ipsen's recent projects and their approach to legal challenges in the biopharmaceutical field. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission and values. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your fit for the role. It shows you’re genuinely interested and professional.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll be part of our community from the get-go, which is always a bonus!
We think you need these skills to ace Vice President of Legal, Transactions & Corporate Legal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Vice President of Legal role. Highlight your experience in M&A, BD&L, and corporate governance, as these are key areas for us at Ipsen.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you've built and led teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you've inspired collaboration and driven excellence within your legal teams.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to convey your expertise and avoid jargon that might confuse us. We appreciate clarity!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsen Group
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of transactional structuring, corporate governance, and the regulatory frameworks in the pharmaceutical industry. Be ready to discuss specific cases or experiences where you've successfully navigated complex legal issues.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Vice President, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire a team. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams in the past and how you foster a culture of collaboration and accountability.
✨Understand Ipsen's Mission
Familiarise yourself with Ipsen's focus on transformative medicines and their commitment to patient care. Be prepared to discuss how your legal expertise can support their mission and contribute to their strategic goals.
✨Prepare for High-Stakes Negotiations
Expect to be asked about your experience in high-stakes negotiations, particularly in M&A and strategic alliances. Think of specific examples where you've successfully represented a company’s interests and how you managed risks during those negotiations.