Director, Corporate Counsel (USA Rare Disease)

Alfasigma is a privately held global healthcare company founded over 75 years ago in Italy, where it remains headquartered today in Bologna and Milan. The Group operates in over 100 markets spanning Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa.

 

Over three years ago, we embarked on a transformative journey to become a truly global innovative healthcare company with a leading focus on Gastrointestinal (GI) health. We have experienced remarkable growth, nearly doubled our revenues, expanding geographically, and integrating several key acquisitions. We have also evolved our portfolio, expanded into rare and specialty segments, and strengthened our pipeline and people's capabilities.

 

But our journey is far from complete! In fact, this is just the beginning of a bold new chapter in Alfasigma's history. We are committed to advancing innovation and leveraging our deep expertise to provide better health and a better quality of life for patients and consumers worldwide and expand our reach across diverse markets.

 

We are seeking a Director, Corporate Counsel, to join the USA Rare Disease Legal & Compliance team (Intercept Pharmaceuticals subsidiary).

 

Scope of the role and key responsibilities:

The Alfasigma US Legal department (doing business as Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) is looking for an enthusiastic and versatile lawyer to manage corporate, contracts, and compliance responsibilities. The position would be Director, Corporate Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary, and would report to the US General Counsel. The position will be based at the company’s US headquarters office in Morristown, New Jersey, and will include a significant in-office component.

 

The US Legal department is a small, flexible group that prioritizes common-sense solutions to client problems. The primary job of the Corporate Counsel will be to review and approve corporate and commercial contracts (e.g., advertising agency NDAs, MSAs, SOWs) for the company’s commercial pharmaceutical business, and clinical and R&D contracts (e.g., CRO agreements, clinical trial agreements) for pipeline assets.

 

Significant experience is needed drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry. Other duties may include:

• Supporting the company’s compliance function
• Managing corporate policies
• Reviewing promotional materials for compliance with drug advertising law
• Supporting M&A diligence projects and contractual negotiations
• Supporting management of disputes and litigation
• Preparing departmental budgets and managing outside counsel spending
• Liaising with the financial team and senior leadership on key initiatives
• Managing corporate governance and Delaware and other state doing-business registrations
• Preparing disclosure schedules for M&A counterparties or government regulators

 

Who you are:

• JD from an accredited US law school required
• 5+ years of relevant legal experience
• Licensed in New Jersey, or able to waive in, or able to be licensed as in-house counsel
• Either law firm or in-house experience will be considered; law firm candidates will be considered, but should have true generalist corporate training and experience, including in the following areas: client relationship management, contract negotiation, and contract management
• Pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry experience is not required but is a plus
• Some exposure to some of the following is preferred: M&A, litigation, financial reporting, budgeting, accounting, HR (employment law/employment negotiations), Delaware law/corporate secretarial work, and pharma law (drug promotional rules, FDA drug approval process)
• Ability to work onsite in the Morristown, NJ office on a hybrid basis highly preferred (minimum 3 days per week)
• Mentally flexible, self-sufficient in managing projects, good bedside manner in dealing with internal stakeholders, conscientious and responsive, and good at quarterbacking projects involving multiple internal and external constituencies
• Learning agility and ‘scalability’ to take on increasing responsibility as Alfasigma grows
• Consistent demonstration and embodiment of our Corporate Beliefs: Passion for Innovation; Think Big, Act Small; Lear