Senior Counsel- Business Development

AstraZeneca plc; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 184,000 - 276,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in Boston, MA or Gaithersburg, MD seeks a Senior Counsel, Business Development. Hybrid work averaging three days in the office.

As part of Global Legal, you will support licensing, collaborations, asset deals, and M&A, advising senior leaders and coordinating with BD, IP, finance, Tax, R&D. This role emphasizes leadership and strategic decision-making in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• JD and active U.S. bar license required.
• Minimum 5 years in corporate/transactional practice.
• Significant experience in life sciences transactions.
• Ability to manage complex deals and drive projects to completion.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary legal advisor for deals from term sheet to closing.
• Draft and negotiate agreements.
• Conduct due diligence and advise on risk.
• Manage external law firms and deal budgets.
• Collaborate with BD, IP, finance, Tax, R&D.
• Provide clear advice to senior leaders.
• Leverage AI to improve deal efficiency and reduce spend.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Independent work

AI-enabled tools

Deal negotiation

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) and US bar license

Tools

Legal project management tools

AI-enabled legal tools

Job description

Senior Counsel, Business Development Boston, MA or Gaithersburg, MD Global Legal Hybrid, on average 3 days a week in office

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. Butwe'remore than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.We'revalued partners who are trusted to do the right thing. We believeit'snot just about getting the bestsolution,it'salso about doing it the right way - ethics, compliance, and transparency are front andcenterof everything we do.

We'rea global legal function that values flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to stretch and accept new challenges. We focus on professional and personal development and place a premium on providing lawyers with broad exposure and the opportunity to counsel diverse stakeholders on legal risks.

As a member of theBioPharma, Corporate and Operations Legal group,you'llbe part of a team of transaction lawyers, focused on delivering the most important projects for our Business Developmentteams. Your work will focus on licensing and collaborations, as well as asset deals, M&Aprojects and other matters supported by our Business Development teams.We'relooking for a skilled, ambitious lawyer to help AstraZeneca become a world leader in our therapeutic areas of focus, including Oncology, Biopharmaceuticals (including cardiovascular, renal & metabolism; respiratory & immunology; andinfectious diseasetherapies) and Rare Disease. Your specialistexpertisewill be key to achieving this ambition!

What you'll do

• Serving as the primary legal advisor for your deals, advising from term sheet through signing and closing;
• Drafting and negotiating agreements;
• Conducting legal due diligence and advising on risk;
• Managing external law firms and deal budgets;
• Working closely with business development, IP, finance, Tax, R&D, and other functions;
• Providing clear and practical advice to the business, including senior leaders; and
• Leveraging AI to drive efficiencies in deal making and reduce external spend

Essential for the role

• Juris Doctor (JD) and active bar license in the U.S.
• 5+ years of experience in corporate and transactional practice at a law firm and/or an in-house legal department
• Significant experience in life sciences transactions
• Strong leadership capabilitiesand business judgment
• Solution and action orientated approach
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to manage complexity
• Demonstrable accountability and integrity
• Ability to act independently and drive projects to completion
• Strongworking knowledgeofAI-enabled legal and business tools

Office Working Requirements

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $184,228.00 - 276,342.00 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives- an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Date Posted 05-Oct-2026

Closing Date 18-Oct-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.