Director, R&D Counsel, Europe – New Markets

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Switzerland, +2 more countries.

📋 Description

• Provide strategic and practical legal support for R&D initiatives across Europe and selected new markets.

• Act as a reliable partner to both regional and global R&D stakeholders.

• Offer guidance on legal and regulatory matters throughout the entire product development lifecycle.

• Advise on the design, initiation, and execution of clinical trials and human subject research.

• Collaborate with Regulatory, Clinical Development, Global Clinical Operations, Safety, Medical, and other departments to identify legal risks and formulate mitigation strategies.

• Draft, review, and negotiate agreements related to clinical trials, central vendors, clinical supplies, technology, and services.

• Provide counsel on the regional implementation of global R&D policies, standards, templates, and procedures.

• Monitor legal and regulatory changes in supported markets and deliver actionable guidance.

• Coordinate with Compliance, Privacy, Intellectual Property, and other legal functions.

• Assist with inspections, audits, investigations, disputes, and remediation efforts concerning R&D issues.

• Create and deliver training sessions and practical guidance for R&D colleagues.

• Contribute to global R&D legal knowledge management, process enhancements, and cross-regional collaboration.

⛳️ Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree or equivalent professional legal qualification, with current authorization or good standing to practice in at least one relevant jurisdiction.

• Typically, at least 7 years of relevant legal experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or broader life sciences sector.

• Significant in-house or closely comparable client-facing experience.

• Extensive experience advising on clinical development in Europe.

• Strong working knowledge of clinical trial regulations, research ethics, pharmacovigilance, data protection and privacy, and laws governing interactions with healthcare professionals and institutions.

• Proven experience with complex R&D contracting, including clinical, research, data, sample, technology, vendor, and collaboration agreements.

• Ability to analyze unfamiliar local law issues and engage qualified local counsel as needed.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Proficiency in an additional language relevant to supported markets is advantageous.

• Strong negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.

• Capacity to prioritize competing demands and work collaboratively across multiple jurisdictions and projects within a matrixed global organization.

• Curiosity and aptitude for learning the scientific, technical, and operational aspects of drug research and development.

• Experience with digital health, artificial intelligence, decentralized clinical trials, or advanced data analytics is a plus but not mandatory.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

• Flexible working arrangements and a supportive work environment.