At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide strategic legal advice for innovative product development and commercialization.
- Company: Join a global medical technology leader dedicated to improving lives.
- Benefits: Generous bonuses, flexible work, health plans, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of care, collaboration, and courage.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Law degree and 7+ years of experience in commercial law.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
We are seeking an experienced legal professional to join our Global Commercial Legal team as Senior Counsel supporting R&D Commercialisation. This role acts as a strategic legal partner across R&D, Intellectual Property (IP), and Commercial teams, helping to enable the development, protection, and successful commercialization of innovative products, including digital technologies.
You will play a key role in managing legal risk, supporting global collaborations, and advising on complex commercial transactions across multiple business units.
- Partner with R&D, IP, Business Development, and Commercial teams to provide strategic legal advice across product development and commercialization activities
- Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex agreements, including development, licensing, distribution, supply, and collaboration agreements
- Support global product development and launch initiatives, including new product committees and commercialization strategies
- Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks while enabling business opportunities across global markets
- Contribute to compliance-by-design initiatives to ensure alignment with regulatory, trade, and customer requirements
- Review promotional materials and digital content related to new product launches
- Support legal operations through process optimization, contract templates, and training initiatives
- Collaborate on global legal projects and support broader team objectives and strategic initiatives
Qualifications:
- Law degree (LLB or equivalent) from a reputable institution
- Qualified solicitor in England & Wales or another commonwealth jurisdiction
- Approximately 7+ years’ post-qualification experience
- Experience in commercial contracting and advising on complex agreements
- Experience in healthcare, medical devices, pharmaceutical, or life sciences sectors is advantageous
- In-house experience is beneficial but not required
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate legal advice into business impact
- Expertise or interest in IP-driven transactions, R&D collaboration, or commercialization of scientific innovation
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across global teams
- Strong stakeholder management skills with experience engaging senior leaders
- Highly organized with strong prioritization and project management skills
We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and patients we serve.
Your Future: Generous annual bonus and pension schemes, Save As You Earn share options, and a car allowance.
Work/Life Balance: Flexible vacation and time off, paid holidays and paid volunteering hours, so we can give back to our communities!
Your Wellbeing: Private health and dental plans, healthcare cash plans, income protection, life assurance and much more.
Flexibility: Hybrid working model (for most professional roles).
Training: Hands-on, team-customised, mentorship.
Extra Perks: Discounts on gyms and fitness clubs, salary sacrifice bicycle and car schemes and many other employee discounts.
Smith+Nephew is a global medical technology company. We design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. We support healthcare professionals to return their patients to health and mobility, helping them to perform at their fullest potential.
It’s our culture - of care, collaboration and courage - that really sets us apart. Through a spirit of ownership and can-do attitude we work together to win. We’re a company of people who care about each other, about our customers and their patients, and about our communities. Together, we fulfill our shared purpose of Life Unlimited.
Senior Counsel, Global R&D Commercial employer: Smith & Nephew
At Smith+Nephew, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions inclusion and collaboration. Our employees benefit from generous compensation packages, flexible working arrangements, and extensive professional development opportunities, all while contributing to meaningful innovations in healthcare. Located in Watford, our team enjoys a supportive environment that prioritises work-life balance and personal well-being, making it an ideal place for passionate legal professionals to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Counsel, Global R&D Commercial
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal and healthcare sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or mentors. Remember, it’s not just about what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Smith+Nephew's recent projects and initiatives. Show that you’re not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to their mission of 'Life Unlimited'. Tailor your answers to reflect their values and goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Counsel, you’ll be drafting and negotiating complex agreements. Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable discussing terms and conditions. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our community at Smith+Nephew. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Counsel, Global R&D Commercial
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Counsel role. Highlight your experience in commercial contracting and any relevant work in healthcare or life sciences. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Showcase Your Legal Expertise:When detailing your experience, focus on your ability to draft and negotiate complex agreements. We’re looking for someone who can translate legal jargon into business impact, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid unnecessary fluff. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smith & Nephew
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of R&D commercialisation and the healthcare sector. Familiarise yourself with recent developments in medical technology and how they impact legal frameworks. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of complex agreements you've drafted or negotiated in the past. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing legal risks while enabling business opportunities. This will highlight your strong commercial acumen and ability to translate legal advice into business impact.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you can effectively engage with senior leaders and cross-functional teams. Prepare to discuss your experience in stakeholder management and how you've collaborated with different departments to achieve common goals. This will showcase your ability to work independently while still being a team player.
✨Be Ready for Compliance Questions
Since compliance is key in this role, be prepared to discuss your experience with regulatory requirements and compliance-by-design initiatives. Think of specific examples where you've contributed to ensuring alignment with trade and customer requirements, as this will demonstrate your proactive approach to legal operations.
