At a Glance
- Tasks: Be a strategic legal partner in global clinical research, navigating complex contracts and regulations.
- Company: Join Novartis, a leader in life sciences with a commitment to innovation and integrity.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health insurance, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent learning and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in advancing clinical research while shaping the future of healthcare.
- Qualifications: Law degree with extensive experience in life sciences and clinical trial contracts.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: London, UK. Relocation support: This role is based in London, UK. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support; please only apply if accessible.
Bring your life sciences legal expertise to where it matters most—enabling clinical research to move faster, safely, and with integrity. In this role, you will act as a trusted strategic legal partner to Research and Development (R&D) leaders, shaping contracting and regulatory advice across global clinical development and operations. You will navigate complex clinical trial and research matters, anticipate risk, and translate legal complexity into clear, pragmatic solutions that help advance Novartis' R&D ambitions.
Responsibilities
- Serve as strategic legal partner to Global Clinical Development and Operations leaders across complex R&D activities.
- Advise on clinical trial contracting, including site, vendor, and outsourced study agreements across multiple jurisdictions.
- Provide regulatory legal guidance to support compliant, efficient global clinical operations and R&D initiatives.
- Support licensing, alliance management, and mergers and acquisitions through contract analysis, negotiation, and risk mitigation.
- Lead simplification, harmonisation, and improvement of Research and Development contract templates, playbooks, and ways of working.
- Drive adoption of automation and artificial intelligence to modernise legal contracting processes and increase efficiency.
- Collaborate cross‐functionally to anticipate legal risk, resolve issues pragmatically, and advance Novartis' Research and Development strategy.
Requirements
- Law degree or equivalent qualification with admission to practice law in a recognised jurisdiction.
- Extensive post‐qualification experience in life sciences, ideally gained within a pharmaceutical company or contract research organisation, or with a top‐tier law firm representing life science clients.
- Proven experience advising on clinical trial‐related contracts and documentation, including site and vendor agreements.
- Strong expertise providing regulatory and contracting legal support in a highly regulated research and development environment.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse complex legal issues, manage risk, and deliver pragmatic, business‐focused solutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders across global, cross‐functional teams.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and short‐term incentive bonus
- Pension scheme
- Share purchase scheme
- Health insurance
- 25 days annual leave
- Flexible working arrangements
- Subsidised dining facilities
- Employee recognition scheme
- Learning and development opportunities
Senior R&D Legal Counsel, Global Clinical Development & Operations in London employer: Novartis Farmacéutica
At Novartis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for those in the Senior R&D Legal Counsel role based in London. Our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment is matched by our focus on employee growth, offering extensive learning and development opportunities alongside competitive benefits such as a pension scheme, health insurance, and flexible working arrangements. Join us to make a meaningful impact in clinical research while enjoying a collaborative culture that values your expertise and contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior R&D Legal Counsel, Global Clinical Development & Operations in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the life sciences and legal fields. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Novartis and their R&D initiatives. Understand their values and how they approach clinical trials. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior R&D Legal Counsel, you’ll need to navigate complex agreements. Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable discussing terms and conditions, so you can showcase your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior R&D Legal Counsel, Global Clinical Development & Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior R&D Legal Counsel role. Highlight your life sciences legal expertise and relevant experience in clinical trial contracting. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves influencing senior stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent written communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect your ability to translate complex legal issues into straightforward solutions.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to emphasise your post-qualification experience in life sciences, especially if you've worked with pharmaceutical companies or contract research organisations. We’re looking for someone who can navigate the complexities of R&D activities with ease!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Novartis Farmacéutica
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your life sciences legal expertise, especially around clinical trial contracts and regulatory guidance. Be ready to discuss specific cases where you've navigated complex legal issues and how you provided pragmatic solutions.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to act as a strategic partner. Think about times when you've influenced R&D leaders or helped shape contracting processes. This role is all about collaboration, so demonstrate how you can work cross-functionally.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to risk management and contract negotiation. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, showing how you would approach these challenges in a real-world context.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Your communication skills are key, especially when influencing senior stakeholders. Practice explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms. This will show that you can translate legal complexity into clear, actionable advice, which is crucial for this role.
