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Summary / purpose of the position

An opportunity for a Legal Director role within the Transactions and Corporate Legal team to bring as a senior lawyer, support to corporate transactions, M&A, BD&L, Strategic Alliances, litigation:

• Providing legal advice and support to the Global Partnering Team for BD&L and M&A activities (from due diligence to negotiation and drafting of agreements in early stage to late stage BD&L and M&A projects)
• Providing legal advice and support to the Strategic Alliance teams
• Working closely with IP, M&A Finance, Corporate Finance, Accounting and External Innovation teams in better understanding and incorporating their needs in the context of the BD&L and M&A projects
• Working closely cross-functionally with the rest of the Legal department (primarily, Company Secretary, Global Asset Legal and Risks & Insurance)

Main responsibilities / job expectations

• Provision of strategic legal advice to Global Partnering Team, External Innovation and Strategic Alliance’s projects and transactions
• Provision of general legal advice as needed by Corporate Finance, Accounting and M&A Finance
• Provision of strategic legal advice in case of litigation and monitor closely work of external counsel
• Evaluate potential contractual arrangements, draft, review and negotiate agreements for M&A, BD&L and Strategic Alliance including, but not limited to confidentiality agreements, consulting agreements, collaboration agreement, research and development agreements, option agreements, asset purchase agreements, share purchase agreements, shareholders agreements, investor agreements, JV agreements
• After the deal making, continue advise on contract interpretation on signed BD&L, M&A projects and advise the External Innovation and Strategic Alliance team for the continued compliance with contractual provisions in light of company’s business objectives and business operations considerations, as well as legal and regulatory requirements
• Help ensure the company’s contractual relationships comply with laws, regulations and industry standards, applicable corporate codes and policies
• Proactive monitoring and management of existing Strategic Alliances
• Resolve, settle and/or escalate contractual disputes in concert with external counsel when necessary
• Management of external counsel
• Monitor and analyze new and developing laws, regulations and enforcement activity within the healthcare industry and incorporate learnings into internal education, messaging and policy development efforts; assist in trainings and presentations to company on legal issues and policies
• Ensure close working relationship with Global Assets Legal team to ensure smooth collaboration
• Work closely with IP team on all BD&L projects
• Ensure regular interaction with Ethics and Compliance; execute plans and reinforce an ethics and compliance culture
• Interface with other support functions including Corporate Finance, M&A Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Insurance and Risk Management, Quality, Regulatory
• Effective use, mentoring and supervision of Legal interns
• Lead or support Legal Team initiatives, driving continuous improvement

Knowledge, abilities & experience

Education / Certifications:

• JD (or equivalent) in an accredited US, Canada, UK or common law jurisdiction law school
• Qualified in the US bar

Experience:

• 7+ years of legal experience in the domain in drafting, reviewing, negotiating and completing various types of transactional documents, with a particular emphasis on BD&L and M&A in the life sciences industry in multiple geographies and jurisdictions
• Previous in-house experience is required or equivalent experience in private practice/in a law firm advising such life sciences companies
• Confirmed experience in assessing strategic issues: identifying risks and opportunities associated with third party activities and driving risk-mitigation plans
• Thorough understanding of legal principle application to licensing, research, development, commercial, supply, manufacturing, distribution, corporate, procurement, regulatory.

Languages:

• Fluent in English.
• French or other languages are a +

Key Technical Competencies Required

• Self-motivated team-player, with excellent interpersonal and communications skills
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex legal issues
• Ability to negotiate, recommend and influence
• Drafting, analysis and negotiation of contracts
• Assertive and able to play an active role at Legal and business meetings
• Strong organizational skills, proactive attitude and results oriented
• Ability to develop practical processes/approaches and to drive solutions to completion
• Ability to work within short time-frames, dealing with a high volume of complex projects simultaneously and prioritizing accordingly
• Open minded and able to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Excellent business acumen with a strong work ethic, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with cross-functional teams
• Ability to work independently while staying aligned with the Legal team
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to challenge outside counsel

IPSEN is an equal opportunity employer that strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, mental/physical disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.