Interim Commercial Counsel – Life Sciences & Data Privacy
London | Hybrid | Initial 12-Month Contract
We are currently working with a leading Global Organisation within the life sciences sector that is looking to appoint an Interim Commercial Counsel to provide maternity cover within its established in-house legal team.
This is a broad commercial role with a strong focus on data protection, supporting business-critical activities across commercial and research functions. Working as part of a small, collaborative legal team, you’ll act as a trusted adviser to stakeholders across the business, providing pragmatic legal advice while helping to manage legal and regulatory risk.
This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded lawyer with experience in both life sciences and data privacy who enjoys working closely with the business in a varied, fast-paced environment.
The Role
You will provide practical, commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of matters, supporting day-to-day legal queries as well as strategic business initiatives.
The role will involve advising on commercial contracts, operational data protection matters and wider legal risk management, while partnering with stakeholders across commercial, business and research teams. You’ll also support the review and negotiation of a variety of commercial agreements, advise on evolving legal and regulatory requirements, and contribute to legal process improvements within the function.
As part of a lean legal team, you’ll be expected to take ownership of matters quickly and operate with a high degree of autonomy, while working collaboratively with colleagues across the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing day-to-day commercial legal advice to business stakeholders.
- Advising on operational data protection matters and wider privacy compliance.
- Reviewing, drafting and negotiating a range of commercial agreements.
- Supporting business and research teams on a variety of legal and regulatory issues.
- Identifying and managing legal and commercial risk across business activities.
- Advising on changes in legislation and supporting regulatory implementation where required.
- Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver practical, business-focused legal solutions.
- Supporting the maintenance and development of legal templates, processes and documentation.
About You
We’re keen to speak with lawyers who have:
- PQE is flexible, with experience being more important than a specific level.
- Strong commercial contracts experience gained in-house and/or private practice.
- Demonstrable experience advising on data protection matters as a core part of their role.
- Previous experience within the life sciences, pharmaceutical, healthcare or related regulated sector.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- A pragmatic, commercially focused approach to legal advice.
- The ability to work independently within a small legal team while managing a varied workload.
- A proactive, adaptable mindset with the ability to get up to speed quickly in a new environment.
Contract Details
- Initial 12-month interim contract (maternity cover).
- Hybrid working, with approximately three days per week in the London office.
- Small, collaborative legal team offering broad exposure across the business.
- Interview process expected to consist of two stages.
- Candidates available to start in September, or at short notice, are particularly encouraged to apply.
Why Apply?
This assignment offers the opportunity to join a well-established in-house legal team supporting a broad range of commercial and regulatory work within an innovative, highly regulated sector. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders across both commercial and research functions, advising on business-critical matters while gaining exposure to a varied and intellectually engaging workload. It’s an excellent opportunity for an experienced commercial lawyer with strong data protection expertise looking for a hands-on interim role with genuine breadth and responsibility.
Please send your CV to interims@thesjp.co.uk
We also offer a generous referral bonus for successful introductions.
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