At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal advice on commercial contracts and data protection in a dynamic life sciences environment.
- Company: Leading global organisation in the life sciences sector with a collaborative legal team.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, exposure to senior stakeholders, and a varied workload.
- Other info: Initial 12-month contract with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a hands-on role with genuine responsibility in an innovative, regulated sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial contracts and data protection within life sciences or related sectors.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
- Interim Commercial Counsel – Life Sciences & Data Privacy
- London | Hybrid | Initial 12-Month Contract
We are currently working with a leading Global Organisation within the life sciences sector that is looking to appoint an
Interim Commercial Counsel to provide maternity cover within its established in-house legal team.
This is a broad commercial role with a strong focus on data protection , supporting business-critical activities across commercial and research functions.
Working as part of a small, collaborative legal team, you'll act as a trusted adviser to stakeholders across the business, providing pragmatic legal advice while helping to manage legal and regulatory risk.
This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded lawyer with experience in both life sciences and data privacy who enjoys working closely with the business in a varied, fast-paced environment.
The Role
You will provide practical, commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of matters, supporting day-to-day legal queries as well as strategic business initiatives.
The role will involve advising on commercial contracts, operational data protection matters and wider legal risk management, while partnering with stakeholders across commercial, business and research teams.
You'll also support the review and negotiation of a variety of commercial agreements, advise on evolving legal and regulatory requirements, and contribute to legal process improvements within the function.
As part of a lean legal team, you'll be expected to take ownership of matters quickly and operate with a high degree of autonomy, while working collaboratively with colleagues across the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing day-to-day commercial legal advice to business stakeholders.
- Advising on operational data protection matters and wider privacy compliance.
- Reviewing, drafting and negotiating a range of commercial agreements.
- Supporting business and research teams on a variety of legal and regulatory issues.
- Identifying and managing legal and commercial risk across business activities.
- Advising on changes in legislation and supporting regulatory implementation where required.
- Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver practical, business-focused legal solutions.
- Supporting the maintenance and development of legal templates, processes and documentation.
About You
We're keen to speak with lawyers who have
- PQE is flexible, with experience being more important than a specific level.
- Strong commercial contracts experience gained in-house and/or private practice.
- Demonstrable experience advising on data protection matters as a core part of their role.
- Previous experience within the life sciences, pharmaceutical, healthcare or related regulated sector .
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- A pragmatic, commercially focused approach to legal advice.
- The ability to work independently within a small legal team while managing a varied workload.
- A proactive, adaptable mindset with the ability to get up to speed quickly in a new environment.
- Contract Details
- Initial 12-month interim contract
(maternity cover).
- Hybrid working, with approximately three days per week in the London office .
- Small, collaborative legal team offering broad exposure across the business.
- Interview process expected to consist of two stages.
- Candidates available to start in
September , or at short notice, are particularly encouraged to apply.
Why Apply?
This assignment offers the opportunity to join a well-established in-house legal team supporting a broad range of commercial and regulatory work within an innovative, highly regulated sector.
You'll work closely with senior stakeholders across both commercial and research functions, advising on business-critical matters while gaining exposure to a varied and intellectually engaging workload.
It's an excellent opportunity for an experienced commercial lawyer with strong data protection expertise looking for a hands-on interim role with genuine breadth and responsibility.
📧 Please send your CV to
💡 We also offer a generous referral bonus for successful introductions.
Contact Details:
The Stephen James Partnership Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Commercial Counsel | Life Sciences & Data Privacy in Slough
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We think you need these skills to ace Interim Commercial Counsel | Life Sciences & Data Privacy in Slough
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 The Stephen James Partnership and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Stephen James Partnership
✨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 Interim Commercial Counsel | Life Sciences & Data Privacy role at The Stephen James Partnership. 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.
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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 The Stephen James Partnership.
