Managing Associate, Life Sciences (5+ PQE)

Mishcon de Reya; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm is seeking a Managing Associate in their life sciences group. This role involves advising clients on transactional, regulatory, and commercial matters, focusing on life sciences technologies. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience, strong interpersonal skills, and a passion for technology advancement in the biotech space. The firm values business development and offers an inclusive workplace environment. Flexibility in working arrangements is encouraged.

Benefits

Agile working culture

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• At least 5 years PQE with excellent knowledge of life sciences.
• Experience in negotiating agreements for life sciences clients.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop junior team members and lead transactions.
• Advise clients on transactional, regulatory, and commercial matters.
• Engage in business development within the life sciences sector.

Skills

Life sciences knowledge

Transactional commercial matters

Excellent written and interpersonal skills

Organisational and prioritisation skills

Business development activities

Business development

Education

5+ years PQE

Job description

Overview

Our life sciences and digital health practice reflects the full diversity of the life sciences sector, ranging from start-ups and venture-backed companies to MNCs, research organisations to grant funders, research parks, CROs and technology consultancies. Our clients' technologies include bioinformatics, cell and gene therapy, diagnostics and biomarkers, devices, digital health, AI, data and agritech, as well as more traditional small molecule drug development. We are excited by innovators and entrepreneurs who have a positive impact on the world and motivated by making great things happen for them.

Situated within our Technology, Life Sciences, and Commercial division, within the wider Innovation department, the life sciences group advises on a wide range of transactional, regulatory, patent strategy and related commercial matters. At the core we advise on licensing, partnering, research and development, joint venture and other commercialisation transactions, and this role would support all non-contentious areas within the life sciences group. We also work closely with our funding team on IP issues associated with spin-outs and funding rounds. We are actively involved in business development.

Our team includes lawyers with PhD and science degrees, which while not mandatory for this role is beneficial, who have a deep understanding of what's involved in creating and developing a technology business. As a result, we can support clients with advice that's commercially, as well as legally, focused and tailored.

About Mishcon de Reya LLP: Mishcon de Reya is an independent law firm employing over 1400 people with more than 650 lawyers offering a wide range of legal services to companies and individuals. The firm has grown rapidly in recent years, showing more than 40% revenue growth in the past five years alone. With presence in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore and Hong Kong (through its association with a partner), the firm serves an international community of clients and provides advice in situations where the constraints of geography often do not apply. The work the firm undertakes is cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and complex, centred around three sectors: the Innovation Economy, Private Wealth and Capital, and Real Estate. The firm is known as a disputes powerhouse with a formidable capacity firmwide for dispute resolution. We strive to create a fully diverse and inclusive workplace where all our people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We are proud of our agile working culture and are always happy to talk flexible working.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a Managing Associate, you will be a self-starter, motivated and able to build relationships with clients and counterparties. You would be expected to help develop the junior members of the team and lead transactions. You will be enthusiastic and willing to contribute to developing and growing the firmwide life sciences practice and immersing yourself within the "golden triangle" tech ecosystem which our team is firmly embedded in.

You should have experience of working on a broad range of transactional commercial and technology matters, with strong experience of directly negotiating agreements for a variety of domestic and international clients in the life sciences sector. There is also a wealth of day-to-day work which any life sciences / biotech business would be involved in, meaning you should also have experience in working on contracts relating to clinical trials, research collaborations and agreements, and partnering with academia.

You need to demonstrate a passion in relation to the advancement of technology and its commercial application, as well as the ability to fit seamlessly into working with our clients, advising on their business needs. Given the nature of our clients, knowledge of life sciences is important, and you will need to demonstrate the ability to absorb complex information and apply your experience and legal skills to deliver actionable, pragmatic, and informed advice to our clients.

Skills / Experience

• At least 5 years PQE and able to exhibit an excellent knowledge of life sciences and a real awareness of the sector.

• Experience working on a broad range of transactional commercial and technology matters.

• Experience and/or training in the natural sciences is desirable, although not a mandatory requirement for this role.

• Demonstrates a passion in relation to the advancement of technology and its commercial application within the life sciences / biotech and pharma ecosystem.

• Excellent written and interpersonal skills.

• Able to work independently and manage a varied workload, ensuring excellent communication lines with colleagues at all levels.

• Excellent team working skills. At all times, to exercise high standards of client care and service in a professional and pleasant manner.

• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, in order to meet the demands of challenging and commercial internal and external clients and competing priorities.

• Personable and confident, able to ensure good working relationships with colleagues, clients and external organisations.

• Resilient and calm under pressure.

• Able to work independently and as part of a team.

• Demonstrates a hunger to undertake business development activities, both internally amongst colleagues across the firm, and externally to existing and potential new clients.

• Takes responsibility for and attends to self-development.

Note: This job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.