Pharmaceutical Contracts Lawyers

Axiom; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 325,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom seeks a Pharmaceutical Contracts Counsel to support client engagements across the life sciences sector with broad-based commercial contracting experience in pharma or biotech. The role focuses on MSAs, SOWs, work orders, MTAs, and related agreements, with risk analysis and business-friendly negotiation advised across Legal, Procurement, IT, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams.

Requirements include a JD and active license in at least one US jurisdiction; in-house pharma experience is

Qualifications

• 4-12+ years in commercial contracting, preferably in pharma/biotech.
• Hands-on drafting and negotiation of MSAs, SOWs, work orders, and MTAs.
• Experience across IT/software, vendor contracts, events, and MTAs.
• Generalist able to support multiple business units with diverse stakeholders.
• In-house pharma experience preferred and knowledge of regulatory considerations.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a high volume of commercial agreements (MSAs, SOWs, work orders, change orders).
• Handle IT licenses, SaaS, event/sponsorship agreements, and MTAs.
• Provide business-oriented legal advice on terms and risk allocation.
• Partner with Legal, Procurement, IT, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams.
• Support manufacturing and distribution agreements with CMOs/CDMOs and partners.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Develop templates, playbooks, and scalable workflows.
• Manage multiple concurrent matters with deadlines.

Skills

MSA / SOW negotiation

Contract drafting

Pharma / life sciences

Vendor contracts

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory awareness

JD license

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Join Our Team as a Pharmaceutical Contracts Counsel at Axiom

Location: United States (remote or flexible on-site/hybrid depending on engagement)

We are seeking Pharmaceutical Contracts Counsel to support future client engagements across the life sciences sector. Our clients are seeking attorneys who thrive in high-volume, fast-paced environments and bring broad-based commercial contracting experience within pharmaceutical or biotech organizations.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a high volume of commercial agreements, including Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), work orders, and change orders.
• Support a wide range of business functions by handling diverse contract types, including IT licenses and SaaS subscriptions, event and sponsorship agreements, and material transfer agreements (MTAs).
• Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice on contract terms, risk allocation, and negotiation strategy.
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Procurement, IT, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams to support day-to-day contracting needs.
• Support manufacturing and supply chain-related agreements, including those involving CMOs, CDMOs, and distribution partners, as part of a broader commercial practice.
• Ensure contracts align with internal policies and applicable regulatory requirements within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Contribute to contract process improvements, including development of templates, playbooks, and scalable workflows.
• Manage multiple concurrent matters with competing deadlines in a high-volume environment.

Qualifications

• 4-12+ years of experience in commercial contracting, preferably within pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences companies.
• Strong, hands-on experience drafting and negotiating MSAs, SOWs, work orders, and related commercial agreements in a high-volume setting.
• Demonstrated experience across a variety of agreement types, including IT/software agreements, vendor contracts, event/sponsorship agreements, and MTAs.
• Ability to operate as a generalist supporting multiple business units, with comfort shifting across different contract types and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with manufacturing, supply, or distribution agreements is preferred but not required as a primary focus.
• Proven ability to independently manage a large pipeline of contracts with efficiency and sound judgment.
• Excellent communication skills, with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to advising business teams.
• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent and active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

Preferred Skills

• Prior in-house experience within a pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences company.
• Experience supporting procurement, IT, and commercial teams in a centralized legal function.
• Familiarity with regulatory considerations impacting pharma contracts (e.g., FDA, GMP, GxP environments).
• Exposure to biologics or large-molecule manufacturing and distribution environments.
• Ability to quickly integrate into new teams and deliver value in dynamic client settings.

Join Our Team as a Pharmaceutical Contracts Counsel at Axiom

Location: United States (remote or flexible on-site/hybrid depending on engagement)

We are seeking Pharmaceutical Contracts Counsel to support future client engagements across the life sciences sector. Our clients are seeking attorneys who thrive in high-volume, fast-paced environments and bring broad-based commercial contracting experience within pharmaceutical or biotech organizations.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a high volume of commercial agreements, including Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), work orders, and change orders.
• Support a wide range of business functions by handling diverse contract types, including IT licenses and SaaS subscriptions, event and sponsorship agreements, and material transfer agreements (MTAs).
• Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice on contract terms, risk allocation, and negotiation strategy.
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Procurement, IT, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams to support day-to-day contracting needs.
• Support manufacturing and supply chain-related agreements, including those involving CMOs, CDMOs, and distribution partners, as part of a broader commercial practice.
• Ensure contracts align with internal policies and applicable regulatory requirements within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Contribute to contract process improvements, including development of templates, playbooks, and scalable workflows.
• Manage multiple concurrent matters with competing deadlines in a high-volume environment.

Qualifications

• 4-12+ years of experience in commercial contracting, preferably within pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences companies.
• Strong, hands-on experience drafting and negotiating MSAs, SOWs, work orders, and related commercial agreements in a high-volume setting.
• Demonstrated experience across a variety of agreement types, including IT/software agreements, vendor contracts, event/sponsorship agreements, and MTAs.
• Ability to operate as a generalist supporting multiple business units, with comfort shifting across different contract types and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with manufacturing, supply, or distribution agreements is preferred but not required as a primary focus.
• Proven ability to independently manage a large pipeline of contracts with efficiency and sound judgment.
• Excellent communication skills, with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to advising business teams.
• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent and active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

Preferred Skills

• Prior in-house experience within a pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences company.
• Experience supporting procurement, IT, and commercial teams in a centralized legal function.
• Familiarity with regulatory considerations impacting pharma contracts (e.g., FDA, GMP, GxP environments).
• Exposure to biologics or large-molecule manufacturing and distribution environments.
• Ability to quickly integrate into new teams and deliver value in dynamic client settings.

Compensation

The estimated total compensation for full-time Axiom attorney roles is $104,500-325,000 per year and for non-attorney roles is $71,250-309,750 per year. Compensation decisions are based on various factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, certifications, location, and business needs. Employees may be eligible for additional benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance; paid holidays and PTO; flexible work arrangements; and professional development opportunities and tools.

About Axiom

For over 25 years, Axiom has pioneered the alternative legal services industry, now serving more than 1,500 legal departments globally with our unique blend of world-class legal talent and advanced AI tools, delivering innovative solutions ranging from that combine top-tier talent with cutting-edge technology. We tackle complex legal matters across 12 practice areas for clients ranging from Fortune 100 to SMBs, empowering our legal professionals to engage in meaningful work that advances their careers. Our Talent NPS score of +71% and our Client NPS score of +64% highlight our commitment to excellence (Reported scores were Axiom’s average for 2025 – the legal industry average NPS score is +35%). Join our forward-thinking community where you’ll keep your career dynamic and multi-faceted, be part of a company that values agility, collaboration, and excellence, and love both the law and your life.

Learn more about life at Axiom

Axiom is the global leader in high-caliber, on-demand legal talent. Covering North America, the UK, Europe, and APAC, we enable legal departments to drive efficiency and growth and meet the demands of today’s business landscape with best inclass alterative legal services.

Diversityis core to our values and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Axiom ensures equal employment opportunity in recruitment and employment, without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religious creed or belief, political opinion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender identity status, pregnancy or maternity, age, disability, alienage or citizenship status, marital (or civil or other partnership recognized by law) status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Axiom prohibits and will not tolerate any such discrimination or harassment.

Upon request and consistent with applicable laws, Axiom will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in each stage of the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail].

Axiom respects your privacy. For an explanation of the kind of information we collect about you and how it is used, our full data privacy notice is availablehere.

Employment with Axiom may be contingent upon successful completion of a background check, providing proof of identity, and possessing the necessary legal authorization to work. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, NY Fair Chance Act, and Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.