Counsel, SCT Legal (Research and Early Development)

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Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams rich in diversity. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us

Position Overview:

This position will be primarily responsible for providing legal advice, guidance and support related to transactions for Bristol Myers Squibb’s research and early development (R&ED) functions.

This position will report to the lead attorney of R&ED Strategic Corporate Transactions (SCT).

Responsibilities:

• Lead negotiations and provide direct counseling to internal clients on routine and non-routine moderately complex transactional matters for the company’s R&ED organization.

• Independently draft and negotiate routine and non-routine contracts in an effective, efficient and time-sensitive manner with little or no supervision or direction.

• Advise internal clients in structuring and advising on various transactions in a way that advances the company’s strategy while addressing legal and regulatory risks.

• Provide advanced level support and knowledge within the SCT Legal team for all categories of agreements pertaining to BMS’ R&ED business unit functions.

• Identify and resolve critical legal issues and identify and support resolution of critical business issues arising from transactions.

• Provide legal advice and legal interpretation on rights and obligations under executed agreements.

• Assist with resolution of disputes under executed agreements.

• Proactively identify the need for, and drive the creation of, new or improved contract templates for common transactions.

• Proactively identify the need for, prepare, and deliver training, written guidance and other aids for internal clients.

• Proactively advise internal clients regarding transactional issues in close collaboration with other BMS attorneys from other practice areas and relevant subject matter experts throughout the company.

• Proactively and independently manage relationships with applicable internal stakeholder groups and business partners.

• Prioritize significant workload based on business needs, and communicate this prioritization to SCT’s leadership, stakeholders and Company’s senior leadership.

• Work cooperatively with peers to leverage skills and knowledge within the SCT Legal team and the Law Department, including by active participation on relevant forums for discussing the Company’s R&ED strategy when appropriate.

• Actively contribute to the infrastructure of SCT through participation in discussions, sharing best practices, collaboration on projects, etc.

• Demonstrate a business-oriented approach to advising internal client groups.

• Demonstrate full commitment to Bristol Myers Squibb’s mission and values.

Qualifications/Competencies:

• Law degree from recognized university. Qualification to practice law in New Jersey or ability to obtain a NJ in-house counsel limited license.

• Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience from a major law firm or the legal function of a major corporation, which may include equivalent experience with contracting and transactional matters in an operational or contract management capacity.

• Practical experience drafting and negotiating agreements related to the biopharmaceutical or life-sciences industry.

• Experience drafting and negotiating routine and non-routine agreements for all aspects of pharmaceutical R&ED agreements, including, for example, sponsored research, non-clinical research, equipment and supply purchases, lab services, cooperative research, materials transfer, and research collaborations.

• Understanding of the healthcare industry and having a working knowledge of life-science/pharmaceutical laws, rules and regulations relating to, for example, anti-kickback, anti-bribery, intellectual property, financial transparency, and data privacy.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to understand internal business partners’ needs, successfully manage internal business partner expectations and work/operate well within a matrix environment of diversified cross-functional teams.

• Creative, thoughtful and practical problem-solving skills, including ability to assess risk, and think strategically while applying knowledge of applicable areas of pharmaceutical law to resolve transactional issues.

• Possesses high integrity, strong business acumen and strong work ethic.

• Excellent administrative and organization skills, verbal and writing skills, and business judgment.

• Excellent communication skills, including appropriate confidence and diplomacy, and ability to communicate effectively with management and senior management personnel.

• Ability to work independently, effectively and efficiently and perform to meet a broad array of Legal team objectives.

• Enthusiastic, energetic and self-motivated.

Around the world, we are passionate about making an impact on the lives of patients with serious diseases. Empowered to apply our individual talents and diverse perspectives in an inclusive culture, our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives.

Physical presence at the BMS worksite or physical presence in the field is an essential job function of this role which the Company deems critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, employee well-being and engagement, and enhances the Company culture.

To protect the safety of our workforce, customers, patients and communities, the policy of the Company requires all employees and workers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have received an exception based on an approved request for a medical or religious reasonable accommodation. Therefore, all BMS applicants seeking a role located in the U.S. and Puerto Rico must confirm that they have already received or are willing to receive the full COVID-19 vaccination by their start date as a qualification of the role and condition of employment. This requirement is subject to state and local law restrictions and may not be applicable to employees working in certain jurisdictions such as Montana. This requirement is also subject to discussions with collective bargaining representatives in the U.S.

Our company is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request an approval of accommodation prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application or if you are applying to a role based in the U.S. or Puerto Rico and you believe that you are unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine due to a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief, during or any part of the recruitment process, please direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.