Senior Legal Counsel

Summit Therapeutics•Princeton, NJ

About The Position

Summit Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical oncology company focused on improving quality of life, increasing potential duration of life, and addressing serious unmet medical needs. The Senior Legal Counsel is part of the Legal Department and is primarily responsible for drafting and negotiating key clinical collaboration agreements through execution, while supporting other legal and contracting needs. The role partners with business development, clinical development, clinical operations, medical affairs, finance, research and development, and other internal clients to support business objectives, manage risk, and ensure compliance with company guidelines. The position drafts, reviews, and negotiates clinical collaboration and trial agreements and associated supply, delivery, quality, research, vendor, technology, and other commercial contracts. It serves as a key contact between internal business units and external parties, provides contract guidance, identifies risks and alternatives, supports due diligence for asset acquisitions, and helps develop agreements, processes, and training. The role may supervise other attorneys and paralegals in contract review and negotiation, escalating matters to the Chief Legal Officer or General Counsel as appropriate. The position is listed for Menlo Park, California; Miami, Florida; Princeton, New Jersey; and remote work. Compensation is $203,000–$242,563 USD; actual compensation depends on factors including skills, experience, certifications, and work location. The total compensation package may also include bonus, stock, benefits, and/or other variable compensation.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and admission to a U.S. state bar in good standing.
At least 7 years of major law firm and/or in-house experience with a pharmaceutical, medical device, or healthcare company.
Substantial prior experience as lead attorney drafting and negotiating Clinical Trial Collaboration Agreements.
Experience drafting and negotiating clinical trial agreements in the U.S. and outside the U.S. with a pharmaceutical company.
Precise drafting and strong legal analysis skills, with knowledge of regulations, statutes, and industry guidelines affecting clinical trials, pharmaceutical research and development, and commercial contracts, including U.S. data privacy and GDPR.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word and working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Teams.
Experience working with contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems and ability to learn new CLM systems quickly.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to work effectively and efficiently with all levels of management and personnel.
Ability to handle multiple projects in a timely manner.
Experience handling due diligence for acquisitions and/or divestitures.
Strong interpersonal skills and a strong sense of being a team player.
Business understanding and ability to diagnose legal problems and present positive, creative solutions and alternatives for management.
Strong organizational and planning skills and meticulous attention to detail.
Ability to work independently while exercising initiative, flexibility, and good judgment.
Ability to work well under pressure to meet specific deadlines.
Flexibility in a rapidly changing business environment at a growth company.

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate strategic clinical trial collaboration agreements, including related supply, delivery, and quality agreements, with business development, research and development, and commercial partners.
Draft, review, and negotiate clinical contracts, including clinical trial agreements and ancillary agreements, investigator-sponsored studies, sponsored research agreements, and agreements with contract research organizations.
As needed, draft, review, and negotiate financing, consulting, master services, statements of work, vendor and service, IT software license, and confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements.
Act as the primary contact between internal business units, including Business Development and Strategic Alliance, and external parties on legal and contractual matters.
Escalate matters to the Chief Legal Officer or General Counsel as needed to reduce company risk and support business objectives.
Provide guidance and supervise other attorneys and paralegals in contract review and negotiation, ensuring compliance with Legal Department guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Develop working relationships with functional groups and project teams, and promptly respond to complex inquiries about contract obligations and revisions.
Identify risks and issues and suggest alternatives that support business objectives while reducing company risk.
Report contract status to internal clients using established or updated processes.
Seek input from IP Counsel, Regulatory Counsel, Commercial Counsel, and the Compliance Department on relevant agreement issues.
Work with Quality Assurance on appropriate handling of quality matters.
Prepare template agreements, modify existing templates, and prepare unique agreements as required.
Communicate clearly and promptly with employees and outside parties regarding contract status and outstanding issues.
Support due diligence activities related to acquisition of assets, including contract review and assessment.
Provide contracting training to the legal team and other business departments as needed.
Handle miscellaneous legal tasks and special assignments, and perform other duties as assigned.