Legal Senior Counsel

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated; Boston (MA); Remote; USD 212,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotechnology company is seeking a Legal Senior Counsel to provide strategic legal support related to market access and government pricing. The ideal candidate will have at least 8 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and strong analytical and communication skills. This role offers the flexibility of remote work and involves collaborating across various departments to ensure legal compliance in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off

Educational assistance programs

401(k) matching

Annual bonus and equity awards

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years post-JD experience advising on legal matters.
• 3 years of law firm experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience advising on federal and state healthcare compliance laws.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on market access and reimbursement issues.
• Advise on anti-kickback statutes and compliance laws.
• Collaborate with colleagues to deliver comprehensive legal advice.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Education

JD from an ABA accredited law school

Job description

Overview

Job Description

Vertex is a transformative biotechnology company that creates new possibilities in medicine to cure diseases and improve people's lives and it is seeking a solutions-oriented healthcare attorney to provide proactive strategic and tactical legal support to the business. The company currently has four drugs on the market that treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis. It has also developed a deep pipeline, investing billions of dollars into R&D over the past two decades.

As Legal Senior Counsel, you will be a part of our dynamic and highly respected Legal and Compliance Department in a US, remote location. The Department is committed to a trusting and collaborative culture where we value growth and development. We engage proactively with our business colleagues to truly understand them and deliver results for our company and for patients. If you are looking for an entrepreneurial, hands-on, team-oriented environment where you can have a big impact, then this is the right place for you!

The person in this role will provide expert advice and counseling to the business on a broad array of market access, government pricing, and policy topics. You will be responsible for providing legal support to business partners in various departments across the organization, including Market Access, Trade & Distribution, Government Pricing, Government Affairs & Public Policy, as well as colleagues supporting our clinical pipeline.

The ideal candidate will have prior experience counseling prescription drug companies on legal issues relating to market access, government pricing, contracting, federal and state laws impacting pricing and access, antitrust, state pricing transparency and patient assistance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide Advice and Counsel to Business Partners
• Advise business partners on various commercial initiatives in a way that advances the company's strategy while addressing legal risks and protecting the company's integrity and reputation
• Provide legal advice and counsel on:
• Market access and reimbursement issues, including contracting with a broad range of customers involved in the distribution of our medicines
• Anti-Kickback Statute and other US healthcare compliance laws and regulations
• Statutory and regulatory obligations under Medicaid, Medicare, 340B program, Veterans Health Care Act
• Government pricing topics, including price reporting compliance policies and reasonable assumptions documents
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid final rules and correspondence including letters and public comments on proposed rules and guidance
• Proposed and enacted United States federal and state legislation impacting pharmaceutical companies relating to market access, pricing, reimbursement as well as state drug price reporting and transparency laws and compliance
• Services and contracting relating to specialty distributors and specialty pharmacies
• Data and special projects with our customers
• Brand strategic planning and business operation plans
• Stay abreast of evolving healthcare legislation and regulations and the enforcement landscape
• Collaborate with legal colleagues supporting commercial, pipeline and privacy to ensure delivery of comprehensive legal advice
• Review materials for internal and external use, as needed.

• Contribute to the Legal & Compliance Department
• Participate in various Legal & Compliance Department projects and initiatives, including committees
• Share information and knowledge through group presentations and individual discussions with peers and managers

Qualifications, Professional Skills, and Preferred Experience

• JD from an ABA accredited law school
• Member of a state bar
• Minimum of 8 years post-JD experience advising on legal matters in a life sciences space whether in a law firm or in-house in the biopharmaceutical industry, or both
• 3 years of law firm experience and thriving in a fast paced environment
• Experience advising on statutes, regulations, and guidance documents applicable to market access activities, including federal and state anti-kickback statutes; requirements under Medicaid, 340B program, Veterans Administration, and other government programs; state drug pricing transparency laws; OIG guidance documents and advisory opinions; and the False Claims Act
• Outstanding ability to effectively communicate (verbally and in writing), sound legal advice to lawyers and non-lawyers alike, coupled with a strong understanding of business needs
• Advanced contracting and redlining skills with strong attention to detail
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and organizational skills to handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously and still meet high quality and timeliness standards
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage outside counsel and adhere to a budget
• Experience providing legal advice on cell and gene therapies and/or specialty medicines is highly desired

Personal Attributes

• Self-starter and life-long learner with a strong work ethic and excellent interpersonal skills who:
• Thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Can proactively identify and solve problems and make decisions with integrity and ethics
• Enjoys working collaboratively and cross-functionally on teams, as well as independently
• Is eager to Direct or take on new challenges

Pay Range: $212,800 - $319,200

Disclosure Statement:

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Flex Designation

Remote-Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status

In this Remote-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as: Remote, Hybrid, or On-Site. See note for details.

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person\'s race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]