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 diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, flexible working, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative international environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on clinical development while modernising legal processes with AI.
- Qualifications: Law degree with experience in life sciences and strong contract negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
This job is with Novartis, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
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. Working in a highly collaborative, international environment, you will also play a key role in modernising legal support through process simplification, innovation, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in contracting.
About the Role:
- 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.
Essential 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 organization, 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.
You’ll receive: Competitive salary, 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.
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?
Senior R&D Legal Counsel, Global Clinical Development & Operations employer: Novartis
Novartis is an exceptional employer that fosters an inclusive and collaborative work culture, particularly in its London office. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and extensive learning and development opportunities, all while contributing to meaningful advancements in global clinical research. With a commitment to diversity and innovation, Novartis empowers its team members to thrive both personally and professionally, making it a rewarding place to build a career in the life sciences sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior R&D Legal Counsel, Global Clinical Development & Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the life sciences and legal fields. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet people from Novartis or similar companies. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Novartis thoroughly and understand their R&D strategies. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in clinical trial contracting and regulatory guidance. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! During interviews, be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've navigated complex legal issues in the life sciences sector. This is your chance to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and business-focused solutions.
✨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, it shows you’re serious about joining the Novartis team and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior R&D Legal Counsel, Global Clinical Development & Operations
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 experience with clinical trial contracts, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be influencing senior stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent written communication skills. Use clear, concise language in your application to reflect how you can convey complex legal issues simply.
Emphasise Collaboration:We value teamwork at Novartis, so make sure to mention any cross-functional collaboration experiences you've had. This will help us see how you can work effectively with our Global Clinical Development and Operations leaders.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that your application is reviewed properly and gives you the best chance of standing out to us.
How to prepare for a job interview at Novartis
✨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.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working with R&D leaders and cross-functional teams, highlight your experience in collaboration. Prepare examples of how you've worked with diverse teams to resolve legal risks and advance projects.
✨Emphasise Innovation and Efficiency
Novartis is keen on modernising legal support through automation and AI. Be prepared to discuss any experience you have with these technologies and how you've implemented process improvements in your previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are essential for influencing senior stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, focusing on how you can translate complex legal jargon into straightforward advice that supports business goals.
