Senior Legal Director - R&D

MRA Search; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing biopharma company in the United Kingdom seeks a Senior Legal professional to support R&D and clinical programmes. The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience in life sciences/pharmaceuticals and be comfortable working in a remote but agile environment. You will directly advise on legal matters related to regulatory and clinical processes and manage a Senior Legal Manager. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence senior stakeholders in a vibrant, innovation-led setting.

Qualifications

• 10+ years 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 all legal matters relating to R&D, clinical trials, and drug development.
• Draft, review, and negotiate clinical trial agreements and research collaborations.
• Provide strategic legal guidance on IP and risk management.

Skills

Legal advisory on R&D

Contract negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder influence

Education

10+ PQE

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]