Senior Legal Counsel

Are you a qualified commercial counsel with in-house or private practice experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector? Are you ready to influence and be part of an exciting journey with Evotec? If so, we want to hear from you, as this could be an opportunity for you!

As our senior legal counsel, you will be an experienced lawyer with a strong background in commercial contracts and intellectual property matters, preferably with some experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries. You will handle a variety of matters from the full spectrum of Evotec’s commercial activities and provide legal advice to the business on a range of topics.

Role: Senior Legal Counsel (Commercial) UK, Permanent

Direct Report: To Head of Legal, Drug Discovery

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Role Type: Permanent, Hybrid Role

Salary: Competitive salary, dependent on skills and experience and grading, excellent benefits package plus annual bonuses

Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire, or Alderley Park, Cheshire

Main scope of role & Key Responsibilities

Support Evotec’s Commercial, R&D and Operations functions on all day-to-day legal and commercial matters. This includes:

• Drafting, reviewing, negotiating and approving a wide range of commercial contracts such as master services agreements, collaboration agreements, amendments, novation, single service agreements, supply agreements, license agreements, confidentiality agreements, consultancy agreements, and work orders.
• Providing comprehensive legal support throughout the life cycle of commercial agreements and acting as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders
• Providing pragmatic, solutions-oriented legal advice in a fast-paced international environment.
• Identifying, assessing, and managing legal risks across the jurisdictions, while balancing business needs.
• Preparing and reviewing standard operating procedures, policies, contract templates, training materials, and contributing to process improvement initiatives in the legal team.
• Assisting in the resolution of contractual disputes and claims, including collaboration with external counsel where necessary.

Education & Experience

• Qualified lawyer (in England and Wales or other European jurisdiction) with post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Strong in-house and/or private practice experience within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector, with a demonstrable record of continued professional development.
• Clear, confident and collaborative communication style with the ability to build trust and influence across functional, geographic, and cultural boundaries, both internally and externally.
• Highly developed analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills, with exceptional attention and focus on accuracy in all contractual and legal documents.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while also thriving in close functioning teams, delivering results within tight timelines and shifting priorities.
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of handling complex legal and commercial matters under pressure, while maintaining organisation, prioritisation, and consistently high quality output.

Company Benefits

• Pension on completion of (but not subject to) your 3-month probationary period. Contributions 6% for employees (salary sacrifice) and 6% for the employer. The employee can opt to increase their contribution and the employer will match the increase up to a maximum of 7.5%.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and additional length of service days awarded on the anniversary, up to a maximum of 30 days.
• Private health insurance with BUPA for the employees and their partner/family under the company scheme.
• Private dental cover, after 3 months of service.
• Life assurance at four times your annual base salary.
• Well being support 24/7 and counselling services.
• Permanent health insurance provides 75% of the base salary after the qualifying period.
• Eligibility to participate in the Company Bonus Scheme. This is a discretionary benefit.
• Excellent training and support and continuing professional development opportunities.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Refer a friend scheme, team and annual events, recognition awards and many more!

Onsite Facilities

• On-site parking and discounted gym.
• Subsidised Restaurant, which offers an excellent breakfast and lunch selection.
• Good public transport links with bus service.

If you are Interested?

Apply NOW – please upload your up-to-date CV and cover letter to Workday.

FR : Dans le cadre de sa politique Diversité, Evotec étudie, à compétences égales, toutes les candidatures dont celles des personnes en situation de handicap.

ENG : In the frame of our Diversity policy, Evotec considers, with equal competences, all applications including people with disabilities.