Sr Director and Lead Counsel, Drug Product Division - North America Corporate Counsel

Thermo Fisher Scientific; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in pharmaceutical manufacturing seeks a Sr Director and Lead Counsel for their Drug Product Division. This role involves guiding legal strategy, managing a team, and collaborating on complex transactions. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in commercial legal work, particularly in the life sciences sector, and a strong ability to influence across teams. Join a dynamic leadership team and contribute to strategic partnerships and compliance efforts.

Qualifications

• Over 15 years of experience in commercial legal work.
• 5 years in-house at global life sciences companies.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of in-house lawyers to implement company goals.
• Collaborate with business leaders on legal strategies.
• Manage external counsel and vendors.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Risk Management

Legal Strategy

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

JD from an accredited law school

Job description

Sr Director and Lead Counsel, Drug Product Division - North America Corporate Counsel

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Position Summary:

The Lead Counsel guides legal strategy, policies, and procedures for the Drug Product Division (DPD) - North America. The position manages two legal professionals and handles all legal operations within DPD North America.

The position is a member of the DPD North American Leadership Team and supports Division strategies and collaborates on their implementation. It supports legal and contract compliance and regulatory requirements, and manages outside counsel. The Lead Counsel will work with Division & Function leaders and customers on complex transactions and strategic partnerships. This leader will collaborate with Thermo Fisher Scientific corporate functions supporting litigation, labor and employment, risk management, and intellectual property matters.

The Lead Counsel reports directly to the VP and Lead Counsel for the Drug Product Division with a strong matrix reporting to the Vice President and General Manager of DPD North America.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of in-house lawyers and professional staff to implement company goals and protect investments across assigned businesses.
• Collaborate with business leaders to develop legal and regulatory strategies for achieving business objectives; proactively identify emerging risks and opportunities.
• Work effectively within the organization to connect resources to address challenges of diverse scope and complexity.
• Work with legal and business leadership in setting department culture, developing talent, and managing budgets. Ensure staffing levels, training, and development plans are established to support business needs.
• Develop strategies for resolving contractual disputes, including analyzing contract terms, assessing remedies, handling customer concerns, and protecting division and client interests.
• Explore and evaluate continual process improvements to provide efficient and effective commercial legal support and risk management. Lead and guide the team in implementing these improvements and structuring work efficiently.
• Select, evaluate, and lead the use of external counsel, vendors, and advisors as needed.

Qualifications:

• Over 15 years of experience in commercial legal work, with at least 5 years in-house at global life sciences companies.
• Experienced people leader with 5 years of developing and leading successful teams of attorneys and legal professionals.
• Experience working with a business-legal approach and cross-functional teams; ability to navigate ambiguous environments with risk-taking.
• Demonstrated ability to influence through direct and indirect authority, and to communicate effectively across teams, functions, and regions.
• Ability to develop practical processes and drive solutions to completion, including initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, and productivity.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills; strong sense of ethics and integrity.
• Bachelor’s Degree and JD from an accredited law school; must be a member in good standing with the bar and licensed to practice law.

Additional Details:

• Seniority level: Not Applicable
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Legal, General Business, and Strategy/Planning
• Industries: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Biotechnology Research