Pharmaceutical Contracts Lawyers

Axiom Talent Platform•Chicago, IL

12h•Remote

About The Position

Axiom is seeking Pharmaceutical Contracts Counsel to support future client engagements across the life sciences sector. Clients are looking for attorneys with broad-based commercial contracting experience within pharmaceutical or biotech organizations who thrive in high-volume, fast-paced environments. This role involves drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a high volume of commercial agreements, supporting various business functions with diverse contract types, and providing practical, business-oriented legal advice. The position requires cross-functional partnership with Legal, Procurement, IT, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams, and ensuring contracts align with internal policies and regulatory requirements within the pharmaceutical industry. Contributions to contract process improvements, such as developing templates and scalable workflows, are also expected. The role demands managing multiple concurrent matters with competing deadlines in a high-volume environment.

Requirements

4–12+ years of experience in commercial contracting, preferably within pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences companies.
Strong, hands-on experience drafting and negotiating MSAs, SOWs, work orders, and related commercial agreements in a high-volume setting.
Demonstrated experience across a variety of agreement types, including IT/software agreements, vendor contracts, event/sponsorship agreements, and MTAs.
Ability to operate as a generalist supporting multiple business units, with comfort shifting across different contract types and stakeholders.
Proven ability to independently manage a large pipeline of contracts with efficiency and sound judgment.
Excellent communication skills, with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to advising business teams.
Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent and active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with manufacturing, supply, or distribution agreements is preferred but not required as a primary focus.
Prior in-house experience within a pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences company.
Experience supporting procurement, IT, and commercial teams in a centralized legal function.
Familiarity with regulatory considerations impacting pharma contracts (e.g., FDA, GMP, GxP environments).
Exposure to biologics or large-molecule manufacturing and distribution environments.
Ability to quickly integrate into new teams and deliver value in dynamic client settings.

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate a high volume of commercial agreements, including Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), work orders, and change orders.
Support a wide range of business functions by handling diverse contract types, including IT licenses and SaaS subscriptions, event and sponsorship agreements, and material transfer agreements (MTAs).
Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice on contract terms, risk allocation, and negotiation strategy.
Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Procurement, IT, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams to support day-to-day contracting needs.
Support manufacturing and supply chain-related agreements, including those involving CMOs, CDMOs, and distribution partners, as part of a broader commercial practice.
Ensure contracts align with internal policies and applicable regulatory requirements within the pharmaceutical industry.
Contribute to contract process improvements, including development of templates, playbooks, and scalable workflows.
Manage multiple concurrent matters with competing deadlines in a high-volume environment.