Senior Counsel R&D Legal Operations
 

Location  - Belgium (Wavre) or UK (New Oxford Street, Central London)
 

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This Senior Counsel position is critical to support the Vaccines Research & Development and the Vaccines Medical organizations.  The role is accountable for providing expert legal advice for several vaccines assets and vaccines R&D projects, using a mature knowledge of regulatory law, a good understanding of intellectual property concepts and excellent contract drafting skills.   Solution-oriented thinking is essential, as is exceptional judgment and a strong work ethic.  Must be energized by working in a dynamic and multi-cultural environment. 

This is a global role, which can be located at one of the GSK’ site in Belgium (Wavre) or UK (New Oxford Street, Central London). This role is part of the Vaccines & Oncology R&D and GPS legal team.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
 

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career.  These responsibilities include some of the following:

• You provide strategic legal advice and support for global R&D and life cycle management activities for several R&D portfolios and platform technologies, by applying your expertise in regulations related to life sciences research and development activities (eg, human biological sample management, data privacy laws, animal welfare rules, clinical trials, …).

• You lead the drafting and support Business Development in the negotiation of bespoke agreements for research collaboration and clinical studies, including multi-party studies and studies involving third party grants or government funding, by using good understanding of intellectual property and contract law concepts and excellent drafting skills.

• You engage with cross-functional teams and matrix partners (e.g., Medical Affairs, Communications, Compliance, Regulatory, Clinical, Pharmacovigilance, R&D) to support the priorities of the Vaccines R&D organization and to appropriately resolve any issues arising from the conduct of R&D activities or Medical activities related to the projects you support.

• You support the implementation of strategic legal initiatives, including support for any training to the R&D legal team and to the business you support.

• You have the maturity and individual accountability to make decisions and provide strategic legal advice, with support from line manager as needed.

• You partner with others in legal & compliance, including with the global patent team, to provide the best advice to Vaccines R&D and Medical.

• You manage outside counsel in limited circumstances.

Why you?
 

Basic Qualifications:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• Qualified legal practitioner admitted to practice in England and Wales or Belgium depending on role location.

• Good level of expertise in life sciences (either education or on the job experience)

• Good understanding of Intellectual property concepts

• Excellent contract drafting skills in English

• Excellent communication skills in English

• Extensive level of proven legal experience

• Excellent analytical and resolution skills to deal with difficult and sometimes complex legal issues

• Ability to balance risk and benefit in relation to proposed activities

• Ability to interact with others to drive changes in practice and increase quality at all levels.

• Ability to work in a highly matrixed environment across the legal team and requires a large amount of information sharing. The ability to understand what information needs to go where and then to share it in a collaborative and engaging manner is essential

• This is a senior position and requires confident interactions with clients who are at a high level of seniority, including VPs.  The position therefore requires a deep knowledge of GSK business strategy and priorities as well as an ability to explain the legal position in a way that enables R&D to take the decision.

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics it would be a plus:

• Working knowledge related to the research and development of vaccines.

• Fluency in French would be beneficial.  

Closing Date for Applications: 24th October 2024 (COB)

Find out more:

Our approach to R&D.   

If you have a disability and require assistance during the course of the selection process, you will have the opportunity to let us know what specific assistance you require in order to make suitable arrangements.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

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