Senior legal counsel

Senior Legal Counsel (Associate Director) – Pharmaceuticals

📍 Reading (Hybrid, 3 days onsite)

About the Business

Britannia Pharmaceuticals is a UK-based specialty pharmaceutical company that develops and markets medicines for chronic neurological disorders, with a primary global focus on Parkinson's disease. They also offer specialized nursing and support services for patients and their caregivers

Key Purpose

To provide commercially focused, pragmatic legal support, acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders while managing legal risk in a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment.

The role will support day-to-day legal needs across commercial contracting, regulatory advisory, and governance, while building capability within a small, high-impact legal team.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide legal support across a broad range of commercial and operational matters
• Draft, review and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements, including: Supply, procurement and services contracts, HCP and consultancy agreements, pharmacovigilance (PV) agreements, and strategic partnerships and collaborations
• Support business stakeholders on regulatory and compliance matters, including: Pharmaceutical regulation, ABPI Code of Practice / PMCPA requirements, and GxP frameworks (GMP, GMDP, PV)
• Provide oversight and input on data protection and governance, including GDPR compliance and risk management
• Assist with risk identification, issue-spotting and escalation of material legal issues
• Act as a business partner to commercial and medical teams, enabling effective and compliant decision-making
• Coordinate with global legal teams to ensure consistency of approach across jurisdictions
• Manage relationships with external counsel where required
• Contribute to process improvements, including contract templates, training, and legal operations

Scope and Complexity

• Operates within a lean legal team, requiring a high level of autonomy and ownership
• Broad remit spanning commercial, regulatory, and governance matters
• Exposure to multi-entity UK operations and international legal interactions
• Hands-on role covering the full lifecycle from NDAs through to complex negotiations
• Opportunity to develop expertise in pharmaceutical regulatory frameworks and stakeholder partnership within a global organisation

Competencies

• Strong commercial contracting and drafting skills
• Practical, solutions-focused approach with sound risk judgement
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, regulated environment
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to balance business objectives with legal and compliance requirements
• Comfortable working autonomously within a small team

Qualifications / Experience

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent)
• Minimum 5 years PQE required
• Proven experience within pharmaceutical or life sciences sector (essential)
• Strong knowledge of: ABPI / PMCPA frameworks, pharmaceutical regulation, and commercial contract law
• Experience working within matrixed or international organisations desirable

You’ll play a key role in supporting a growing UK platform within a global pharma group, with direct exposure to senior stakeholders and international legal teams.

If you’re a pharma-focused lawyer looking for a broad, impactful in-house role, please get in touch for a confidential discussion.