Senior Counsel -US Rare Tumors

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 188,600 - 283,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

PTO and retirement contributions

Other perquisites

Job summary

EMD Serono in the United States seeks a Senior Counsel for Rare Tumors to provide comprehensive legal support across Commercial and Medical functions. You will be the lead attorney for a key brand, reviewing materials and guiding contracts while ensuring compliance with healthcare laws.

The role requires strong regulatory expertise, collaboration across Commercial, Compliance and Medical Affairs, and proactive risk management. A robust in-house or firm background is essential.

Qualifications

• JD from a US law school with bar membership in good standing.
• 7–10 years of legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and guidance in a business context.
• Excellent communication, drafting and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate across multiple functions in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead attorney for a key brand in Rare Tumors, including review of marketing and promotional materials.
• Advise on Marketing, Sales Operations, Medical Affairs and external counsel management.
• Draft, review and negotiate advertising, consulting, distribution and advisory agreements.
• Deliver legal training on healthcare laws and compliance requirements.
• Partner with Commercial, Compliance, Medical Affairs and Regulatory teams to align legal and business goals.
• Counsel on risk management and implement applicable policies and procedures.

Skills

Legal drafting

Negotiation

Communication

Collaboration

Risk assessment

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Active bar membership in good standing (US)

Job description

Work Your Magic with us! Start your next chapter and join EMD Serono.

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

United As One for Patients, our purpose in Healthcare is to help create, improve and prolong lives. We develop medicines, intelligent devices and innovative technologies in therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Neurology and Fertility. Our teams work together across 6 continents with passion and relentless curiosity in order to help patients at every stage of life. Joining our Healthcare team is becoming part of a diverse, inclusive and flexible working culture, presenting great opportunities for personal development and career advancement across the globe.

This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. External applicants must be eligible to work in the US.

Your Role

The Senior Counsel, Rare Tumors will provide comprehensive legal support to a Therapeutic Area, including both Commercial and Medical functions. Specifically, this role will be part of the legal team supporting Rare Tumors, one of EMD Serono’s key Therapeutic Areas, and will report to an Associate General Counsel.

The role requires a deep understanding of healthcare laws and regulations applicable to pharmaceutical commercialization, including the Anti‑Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, FDA promotional regulations, OIG guidance, and laws governing patient support and affordability programs. The ideal candidate will be a proactive, collaborative legal partner who enables business goals while ensuring compliance with ethical standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Primary Legal Counsel: Serve as lead attorney for a key brand of the Rare Tumors Therapeutic area, including: review of marketing (promotional) materials; advice regarding Marketing and Sales Operations; review of scientific (non‑promotional) materials; advice regarding Medical Affairs and Medical Operations; manage outside counsel as specialized advice is required for Therapeutic Area projects; work collaboratively with paralegals.
• Compliance & Regulatory Oversight: Ensure all activities comply with FDA, OIG, CMS, and state requirements, as well as company policies and industry codes (e.g., PhRMA Code).
• Contracting & Negotiations: Draft, review, and negotiate agreements with advertising, consulting, call center and Therapeutic Area‑specific distribution agreements, as well as contracting with healthcare professionals including advisory boards and consulting.
• Training & Education: Deliver legal training on relevant healthcare laws and company compliance requirements.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Commercial, Compliance, Medical Affairs, and Regulatory teams to align business practices with legal standards. Collaborate with US and Global colleagues in order to ensure business strategies and objectives comply with applicable laws, regulations and policies.
• Risk Management: Proactively identify, counsel, and communicate potential legal issues to mitigate risk. Manage risks through counseling, training and practical application of relevant legal and regulatory requirements, company policies and procedures to Therapeutic Area operations.

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 7‑10 years of legal experience in a firm and/or in‑house.
• Strong ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, and guidance in a practical, business‑oriented manner.
• Excellent communication, drafting, and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across multiple functions in dynamic and fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior in‑house experience at a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company.
• Demonstrated expertise in healthcare fraud and abuse laws, FDA regulatory matters, and patient support program compliance.
• Experience supporting commercial business units, including contracting, supporting the development of commercial strategies.
• Experience participating in or advising MLR/Promotional Review Committees.
• Background in compliance counseling or interaction with government agencies (OIG, DOJ, FDA).

Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
• Excellent judgment and risk‑based decision‑making.
• Collaborative, practical, and solutions oriented.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively.
• Committed to ethics, compliance, and patient‑centered values.

Pay Range for this position: $188,600 - $283,000

The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills and other job‑related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance‑based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites. For more information click here.

Direct link to benefits site if the hyperlink no longer works: https://careers.emdgroup.com/us/en/benefits

What we offer

We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress.

Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!