Job Information
Immunocore LLC Senior Director, Contract Management in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
About the Company Immunocore (NASDAQ: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial-stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry's most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions. Focused on delivering first-in-class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, while seeking talented individuals to work with us across the many functions that will allow us to deliver new medicines to transform the lives of patients. You will work with outstanding people who together pioneer the research, development and commercialization of bi-specific TCR therapies. We aim to create an environment where individual contributions and initiatives can be maximized, while fostering a culture of collaboration, based on respect and integrity. We want each individual employee to own their career, as part of high-performing teams, and in the context of on-the-job and formal continuous development and training, as well as constructive feedback. We always strive to identify ways to improve what we do and how we do it, by asking questions, voicing opinions, exploring various approaches and staying connected with healthcare professionals, patients, academia and other key partners. Key Responsibilities MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE We are seeking a "player/coach" who will lead a global team of contracts lawyers/managers and also in drafting and negotiating contracts as an individual contributor at a successful commercial-stage biotechnology company. The position can be based at any of our office locations in the UK & US. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Lead team of contract lawyers/managers with a significant workload plus queries/disputes on active contracts. This involves both: - line management; and - owning and proactively developing processes and resources to improve controls (including Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) controls), contract outcomes, customer experience and interaction of legal review with other contracts processes including seamless interface with Legal & Compliance specialists and Procurement. Draft and negotiate contracts as an individual contributor, in particular higher value/more complex contracts. Able to apply deep expertise of life science industry and contract law and practice to provide insight and leadership to promote new ideas, innovative concepts and resolving critical issues in the area of expertise. Team workload: Legal review of contracts covering Research, Development, CMC, Commercial and Operations; and across the UK, US, EU and other jurisdictions. Postholder is responsible for allocating/prioritizing contracts between team and postholder him/herself is typically responsible for higher value/more complex contracts. Review contracts - the goal is for the review to be proportionate to the opportunities and risks underlying the contract and to balance immediate business outcomes, timeliness, relationships with counterparties etc. Postholder works consistently with ambiguous situations and assesses intangible variables and identifies and evaluates issues to provide strategy and direction to team and internal clients from across the business of all levels of seniority. Agree final version with requestor/other internal stakeholders/counterparties, ensure correct authorization and signature according to SOX controls, ensure archiving of final signed docum nt. Also responsible for responding to/allocating between team queries on active contracts and handling most contractual disputes, where postholder will drive the resolution of complex problems that have organizational impact. Line management/leadership: Establishes Contracts strategy and translates company strategy into objectives for own team and adjacent teams e.g. Procurement. Has expert people management skills so able to ensure positive engagement, manage succession planning, develop, address performance management issues etc. Continuous improvement: Postholder must have a continuous improvement mindset and ensure this exists in the team. Postholder will oversee team and wider Contracts team (internal clients, Procurement, approvers etc) to develop new methods and solve company-wide matters. Examples of previous improvements made include introduction of/ongoing improvements to electronic contracts management system, development of standard documents/clauses and guidance notes, development of relationships with external lawyers and other service providers (e.g. translation services), improvement of interaction of legal review with other contracts processes e.g. obtaining input from Legal & Compliance specialists, vendor selection, generation of POs. - Proactively upskill on new (to post holder)/emerging areas e.g. healthcare compliance. Postholder/team may not be familiar with all relevant areas of law and current market practice e.g. healthcare compliance, insurance, GDPR, IP, fraud & abuse, but must proactively seek to fill gaps in team via formal and informal training and continuous professional development, identification/development of relevant resources etc. - Manage relationships with key stakeholders e.g. contract requestors from across business units. Postholder and team must develop and maintain excellent relationships with key stakeholders e.g. contract requestors from across business units/geographies, Healthcare specialist lawyer, Compliance, Procurement, Finance acting as an advisor to them. Postholder must understand, anticipate and balance stakeholders' priorities and support team to do the same. - Report directly into General Counsel (GC), keeping GC abreast of issues/trends/management matters etc and act as a leader within the Legal & Compliance team. Report directly to the GC: Postholder will report directly into the GC and will keep GC informed of all relevant matters e.g. complex/high value/unusual contracts or terms, market trends, stakeholder/team issues. A similar role is performed by the GC's other direct reports e.g. VP IP in relation to their functional areas. Act as a leader within the team: Support the GC with team initiatives and ad hoc projects e.g. response to employee engagement survey. - Report to the Immunocore Leadership Team (ILT) on Contracts (with Procurement). ILT periodically requires an update on Contracts, and postholder will work with Director Procurement to deliver this. Influences ILT to adopt a different point of view, when and if appropriate. Other updates/trainings to be provided as necessary on a team by team or whole company basis. PERSON SPECIFICATION * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - ability to put across difficult concepts or different points of view. * Strong negotiating and organizational skills. * Excellent work ethic and exceptional attention to detail, the ability to perform calmly under pressure whilst managing multiple priorities with competing demands. * Able to handle sensitive and confidential management issues and information with discretion with excellent written and verbal communication skills. * Able to work under pressure in different projects at the same time to deliver under tight deadlines. * Drive to meet deadlines and achieve and improve customer satisfaction. * Proactive and prepared to take on challenges outside of their comfort zone. * Displays intellectual curiosity and integrit