Contract Specialist

Contract Specialist (6 Month Contract)
London

COMPANY SUMMARY:

At Intercept, our mission is to build a healthier tomorrow for patients with progressive non-viral liver diseases.  Intercept’s lead product, obeticholic acid (OCA), is a first-in-class farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist.  OCA, marketed under the brand name “Ocaliva^®,” is approved in the U.S., EU and Canada for certain patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a rare autoimmune liver disease. Ocaliva^® was the first product to be approved for PBC in over twenty years and our team is proud to have been pioneers in providing the first second-line treatment option to patients with such critical need.  The Ocaliva^® launch in 2016 also marked Intercept’s successful transition from a development-stage company to a fully integrated commercial organization with continued growth.

In February 2019, Intercept reported positive topline results from the Phase 3 REGENERATE study of OCA in patients with liver fibrosis due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which impacts the lives of millions of people in the U.S. alone. Currently, there are no available treatments for NASH, and Intercept is among the leading companies focused on the disease.

POSITION SUMMARY:

As Intercept continues to build its position as the leader in progressive non-viral liver disease and pursues its goal of bringing the first approved therapy to patients with NASH, we are seeking a Contract Specialist.

We are looking to appoint a talented individual on a fixed term contract basis to be part of the team, helping to support the Company’s International (ex-US) business with the review, negotiation and management of a broad range of contracts with key stakeholders such as consulting, service and sponsorship agreements with vendors and key stakeholders such as HCPs.  An important aspect of the role will be to work with the Global Contract Management Team in the US to help embed and navigate the Company’s contract management system and associated policies and procedures in the International business. We are looking for an individual who thrives in a challenging and interdisciplinary environment. The ideal individual is a good communicator, has high-energy, and is self-motivated, and creative. This individual will report to and be managed by the Director, Legal Affairs International supporting the Company’s International (ex-US) business, working closely with Executive Director, Legal Affairs (Contracts Lead) as may be required from time to time.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

The successful candidate must be able to perform each of the following satisfactorily:

• Lead on various contractual negotiations with partners, collaborators, service providers, consultants and other vendors on behalf of the Company’s ex-US business to ensure appropriate business and legal terms are in place (whether independently or alongside members of the Legal Affairs, International Team as required from time to time).
• Effectively support the Company’s International business in embedding and navigating the Company’s global contract management system (assisting in ongoing periodic reviews, audits and updates as required by the Executive Director, Legal Affairs, Contracts Lead from time to time).
• Assist and support the Legal Affairs International Team and partner with the Global Contracts Management Team with the development of template agreements, contract playbooks and contract policies and procedures relevant to the Company’s International business from time to time
• Provide all Company contract related training for the Company’s International business.
• Support the global contracting team in the continuous development and implementation of an operationally efficient contract management process with quality control and accountability. Ensure international alignment and integration of the Company’s International business on contracting with the global organization and with the development of customized processes and guidelines where necessary and appropriate.
• Draft and revise a broad range of agreements, including clinical trial agreements, master services agreements, consulting agreements, confidentiality agreements and other commercial agreements.
• Manage the process and contracting for healthcare professional advisory boards for the Company’s International business.
• Manage and ensure on-time processing of all contracts for the Company’s International business from initial request through execution.
• Support and assist in the overall quality control of contract management
• Support Legal Affairs, International in its evaluation of the commercial legal risk in contract content and structures for the Company’s International business and suggest appropriate measures that will provide effective risk management.
• Analyse the legal and business obligations set forth within contractual agreements assigned and be responsible for escalating any potentially controversial or unfavourable language to the relevant member of Legal Affairs, International or line manager.
• Provide exceptional service to the Company’s International operating business units at all times.
• Drive the spirit of “ONE Team” across all Company functions by supporting a team approach focused on patients and customers as top priorities.
• Make Intercept a truly desired place to work

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Law Degree or experienced paralegal with Institute of Legal Executive or equivalent qualifications
•  4 or more years of contracts experience, with previous experience in a multi-national biotech or pharmaceutical company. 
• Knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to life science companies operating in the UK and the EU. 
• Experience working with contract management software system. Experience working with Cobblestone’s Contract Insight System a plus.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Strong organizational and management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Solid understanding of contracting in life sciences companies is an advantage, including the research, clinical and commercial contracting process.
• Ability to think creatively in confronting new issues.
• Experience working with a contract management software system.
• Experience of EU Pharma commercial / compliance contracting is an advantage.
• Advanced knowledge of the practices, procedures, and processes involved in contract administration.
• Practical, clear and organized; strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and exercise sound business judgment.
• Proven planning skills and ability to think creatively in confronting new issues.
• Energetic person with high integrity.
• Team player with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Ability to work effectively across a matrix organization.
• Learning agility and ‘scalability’ to take on increasing responsibility as Intercept grows
• Consistent demonstration and embodiment of Company core values: Collaboration, Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, Passion, and Patient/Stakeholder Centricity
• Ability to have fun and thrive in a growing, diverse and inclusive work environment

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic organization, where you will enjoy a broad and varied role, with possible longer term opportunity after the initial contract period. Competitive Remuneration on offer.

Please click the apply button to submit your application.