Senior Legal Director - R&D

MRA Search; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharma company in the UK seeks an experienced Senior Legal professional to support its R&D and clinical programmes. You will manage a Senior Legal Manager and advise on all legal matters relating to clinical trials and drug development. The ideal candidate will have 10+ PQE, strong life sciences experience, and excellent communication skills. This is a remote role with some office attendance as needed, offering a chance to thrive in an innovative environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ PQE with strong life sciences, biotech or pharmaceutical experience.
• Deep understanding of clinical research, regulatory frameworks, and GxP environments.
• Excellent drafting, communication and cross‑functional partnering skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise on legal matters related to R&D, clinical trials, and regulatory strategy.
• Manage one Senior Legal Manager and work across all areas of R&D.
• Draft, review and negotiate clinical trial agreements and collaborations.

Skills

Drafting contracts

Regulatory strategy

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder influence

Education

PQE (Post Qualification Experience) 10+

Experience in life sciences, biotech or pharmaceuticals

Job description

We are working exclusively with a fast-growing, science-driven biopharma company seeking an experienced Senior Legal professional to support its expanding R&D and clinical programmes. This is a high-impact, strategic role working directly with scientific, regulatory and commercial leaders across the business.

Reporting directly to the General Counsel you will manage one Senior Legal Manager and work across all areas of Research and Development. Some responsibilities include :

• Advising on all legal matters relating to R&D, clinical trials, regulatory strategy and drug development
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating clinical trial agreements, research collaborations, licensing and technology transfer agreements
• Partnering with cross-functional teams including Clinical, Regulatory, Medical and Quality
• Providing strategic legal guidance on IP, risk management and emerging regulatory changes
• Supporting governance, policy development and senior stakeholder decision‑making

Ideal Candidate

• 10+ PQE with strong life sciences, biotech or pharmaceutical experience
• Deep understanding of clinical research, regulatory frameworks, and GxP environments
• Excellent drafting, communication and cross‑functional partnering skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, agile, research‑focused environment
• Able to influence senior stakeholders and support scientific teams
• Managerial experience

The role will be remote with some office attendance as needed.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an entrepreneurial and innovation‑lead environment. To find out more please contact Josh Hall at [e-mail]