Commercial Counsel - Wellcome Trust

Main Responsibilities:

• Advise on legal issues that arise in the course of Wellcome's activities, incorporating an in-depth understanding of those activities, business issues and priorities.
• Provide support to execute transactions in an effective way. This will include being able to draft, review and negotiate legal documents, adapt existing skills into new areas of legal work, advise on legal issues in the context of the relevant division's risk/benefit profile and assist with project management. Examples of Innovations work include drafting and negotiation of funding agreements, convertible loans, equity and revenue sharing agreements, reviewing corporate documentation and monitoring project progress, drafting and negotiation of material transfer agreements between institutions/ research organisations, drafting and negotiation of substantial research collaboration agreements between multiple international parties.
• Horizon-scan the policy and legal landscape and provide strategic counsel to the Innovations Team on emerging legislative developments and market trends. Act as the Legal Team's expert in particular fields, and openly share knowledge with the Legal Team.
• Close collaboration with a broad range of other internal and external contacts. Internal contacts include with Tax, Finance, and Risk, to take a holistic view of Innovations activities that aims to ensure they meet commercial needs, avoid tax and accounting complications, limit financial and charity law risks and are not overly complex to operate.

Person Specification

• A UK qualified solicitor, ideally trained in private practice
• 0-4 years PQE
• Corporate and Commercial legal experience with a focus on business issues
• Interest in Science and Wellcome's activities
• Strong interpersonal skills, working well autonomously as well as with teams and business stakeholders.