Legal Counsel (12 Month Contract)

AstraZeneca; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company in Mississauga is looking for a Legal Counsel for a 12-month contract. The successful candidate will provide legal advice, manage risks, and support clinical trial activities. Essential qualifications include a Juris Doctor or LLB, active membership with the Law Society of Ontario, and 1-2 years of experience post-bar. The role allows for hybrid work, emphasizing collaboration and professional development.

Benefits

GTAA Top Employer Award for 11 years

Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture

Diversity and inclusion commitment

Qualifications

• 1-2 years experience since call to Bar.
• Experience in working in a commercial organization.
• Knowledge of contracting and/or clinical trials.

Responsibilities

• Manages delivery of legal advice to assigned AZ client area.
• Provides drafting and negotiation support for key transactions.
• Identifies and manages legal risks in assigned areas.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Working knowledge of laws relating to assigned areas

Substantial legal practice experience

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or LLB degree

Qualified to practice in Canada

Job description

Legal Counsel

12 Month Contract

Mississauga, Canada

Hybrid Work- on average 3 days/week from office

You’re an intellectually curious lawyer with significant knowledge of commercial and corporate law. Are you ready to take on a global legal remit with a world-leading biopharmaceutical company, working in a collaborative environment?

We’re looking for a dedicated, ambitious lawyer to help AstraZeneca become a world leader in Oncology, Respiratory & Inflammation, and Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolic diseases.

We’re a legal function that values flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to stretch and accept new challenges. We focus on professional and personal development and place a premium on providing lawyers with broad exposure and the opportunity to counsel diverse stakeholders on legal risks.

As a member of the Operations group, you’ll be part of a team of lawyers focused on delivering and facilitating the most important activities of our Operations Group across the world. Your work will include supporting our manufacturing, procurement, sustainability, and clinical trial activities. This role will primarily focus on clinical trial activities during the contract.

What you'll do

• Manages the delivery of legal advice and services to the assigned AZ client area and/or in assigned business area. Closely aligning with senior AZ client leaders
• Provide drafting, negotiation and business counsel support to key transactions, driving projects to completion and helping to mitigate critical legal and business risks.
• Identifies and manages present and potential legal risks in the assigned areas including legal risks associated with the implementation of strategic initiatives
• Handling complex legal matters, interpreting and drafting contracts, and taking a global perspective
• Balances internal and external resources to deliver the needed service level in a cost-conscious manner
• Personally handles legal matters and innovative business arrangements
• Ensures collaboration with other Legal support areas to ensure a seamless service to clients
• Handles special projects assigned by senior legal team
• Foster a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaborative working with your counterparts across the wider Legal function.

Essential for the role

• Juris Doctor (JD) or LLB degree with formal accreditation from NCA
• Must be qualified to practice in Canada with active membership status with the Law Society of Ontario
• 1-2 years experience since call to Bar
• Substantial legal practice experience with a broad knowledge of a variety of legal arrangements
• Working knowledge of laws relating to assigned areas
• Experience of working in a commercial organization
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Desirable for the role

• Law firm, Pharmaceutical, or other regulated industry experience particularly in relation to contracting and/or clinical trials
• Skill in analyzing and solving issues related to a wide variety of substantive legal areas

Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 11 years
• Top 100 Employers Award
• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture
• Learn more about working with us in Canada
• View our YouTube channel

Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today!

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing [e-mail].

#LI-Hybrid

Date Posted: 07-Nov-2025

Closing Date: 20-Nov-2025

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.