Commercial Counsel

SK pharmteco; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

SK pharmteco, a U.S.-based global CDMO, is seeking an experienced Commercial Counsel to join its legal team. The role focuses on leading high-value service and manufacturing contract negotiations and reviews to support long-term customer relationships in the pharmaceutical sector.

The ideal candidate holds a JD with bar admission and 1–6 years in pharma/biotech contracting, capable of clear legal drafting and effective stakeholder communication while balancing commercial and regulatory

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a well-regarded law school.
• Bar Admission: Admission to a relevant bar.
• 1-6 years of experience in commercial contract negotiation and legal counsel, in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry – preferably from a mix of law firm and in-house experience.
• Understanding of biopharmaceutical industry regulations and compliance requirements is a plus.
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively to non-legal stakeholders.
• Proven track record of managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Contract Negotiation and Review: Lead the negotiation and review of high-value service and manufacturing contracts, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and company policies while supporting long-term customer relationships.
• Strategic Transactions: Assist as needed in the negotiation and execution of strategic transactions, including partnerships, joint ventures, and acquisitions.
• Legal Operations: Support legal operations by streamlining processes, enhancing contract management systems, and implementing best practices. Manage outside counsel when required.
• General Contract Review: Provide legal guidance on a wide range of commercial contracts, including licensing, procurement, and service agreements.
• Risk Management: Identify and assess legal risks associated with commercial agreements and provide actionable advice to mitigate those risks.
• Compliance and Policy Development: Contribute to the development and implementation of company policies and procedures related to commercial contracts and legal compliance.
• Legal advice: Identify and assess legal risks and proactively institute measures accordingly. Provide practical legal advice balancing commercial objectives, operational realities, regulatory requirements, and legal risk.
• Training and Mentorship: Provide training and support to internal stakeholders on legal and compliance matters related to contracts and transactions.
• Other projects and responsibilities may be assigned to support the SKPT business.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Legal counsel

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission

Job description

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a well-regarded law school.
• Bar Admission: Admission to a relevant bar.
• 1-6 years of experience in commercial contract negotiation and legal counsel, in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry – preferably from a mix of law firm and in-house experience.
• Understanding of biopharmaceutical industry regulations and compliance requirements is a plus.
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively to non-legal stakeholders.
• Proven track record of managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract Negotiation and Review: Lead the negotiation and review of high-value service and manufacturing contracts, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and company policies while supporting long-term customer relationships.
• Strategic Transactions: Assist as needed in the negotiation and execution of strategic transactions, including partnerships, joint ventures, and acquisitions.
• Legal Operations: Support legal operations by streamlining processes, enhancing contract management systems, and implementing best practices. Manage outside counsel when required.
• General Contract Review: Provide legal guidance on a wide range of commercial contracts, including licensing, procurement, and service agreements.
• Risk Management: Identify and assess legal risks associated with commercial agreements and provide actionable advice to mitigate those risks.
• Compliance and Policy Development: Contribute to the development and implementation of company policies and procedures related to commercial contracts and legal compliance.
• Legal advice: Identify and assess legal risks and proactively institute measures accordingly. Provide practical legal advice balancing commercial objectives, operational realities, regulatory requirements, and legal risk.
• Training and Mentorship: Provide training and support to internal stakeholders on legal and compliance matters related to contracts and transactions.
• Other projects and responsibilities may be assigned to support the SKPT business.

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $130,000 to $158,000 annually.

The actual base salary offered within this range will be determined based on relevant experience, education, skills, qualifications, scope of expertise, internal equity, and the candidate’s primary work location. This range represents the company’s good-faith estimate of the base salary it reasonably expects to pay for the position at the time of posting.

About Us

SK pharmteco (SKPT) is a U.S.-based global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with sites worldwide – Korea, France, Ireland, The United States (CA, TX, and PA). Built on over 75 years of experience, SK pharmteco is a trusted partner specializing in the manufacture of small molecule APIs, peptides, and viral vectors for gene therapies for the pharmaceutical industry worldwide.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Commercial Counsel to join our legal team. As a Commercial Counsel, you will play a crucial role in supporting our business operations by leading high-value service contract negotiations and reviews. This position requires a strategic thinker with strong drafting and negotiation skills and a deep understanding of commercial contracts within the pharmaceutical sector.

SKPT has office locations in CA, TX, and PA. While this position can be performed mostly remotely, the candidate should expect some travel to our business and office locations. The ideal candidate will be located in the Northern California or Philadelphia area. Candidate must be based in the United States and must be able to accommodate both East and West Coast hours as necessary and occasionally accommodate global time zones.

Physical Requirements and Reasonable Accommodation

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. The employee must be able to perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions of this position generally require the ability to:

• Frequently use a computer, telephone, videoconferencing equipment, and other standard office technology.
• Review, analyze, and prepare detailed written and electronic documents for extended periods.
• Communicate effectively through written correspondence, telephone conversations, videoconferences, presentations, negotiations, and in-person meetings.
• Remain in a seated or stationary position for extended periods while performing computer-based and document-review work.
• Move within office, conference, customer, and company-site environments as business needs require.
• Manage multiple priorities, time-sensitive negotiations, and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail and sound judgment.
• Participate in meetings with stakeholders across global time zones. Occasional early-morning or evening availability may be required.
• Travel domestically and internationally, typically up to 10%, for company meetings, negotiations, customer or partner meetings, and visits to SK pharmteco locations.
• When visiting manufacturing, laboratory, or other controlled environments, comply with applicable safety, security, gowning, and personal protective equipment requirements.
• SK pharmteco will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process and employment to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position and access the benefits and privileges of employment, consistent with applicable law.

Please Note: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the individual assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may be modified or assigned based on business needs. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment or otherwise alter the at-will employment relationship.

SK pharmteco is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company.