The START Center for Cancer Research (“START”) is the world’s largest early phase site network, fully dedicated to oncology clinical research. Throughout our history, START has provided hope to cancer patients in global community practices by offering access to cutting edge trials throughout the US and Europe. Today, with over 1,300 studies completed, and with research facilities in the United States and in Spain, Portugal, and Ireland, START’s mission is to accelerate the development of new anticancer drugs that will improve the quality of life and survival for patients with cancer and lead to its eventual cure. To date, over 43 therapies conducted at START locations have obtained FDA/EMA approval. Incredibly, while Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) conduct 80% of cancer trials, such trials reach only 20% of the patient population – leaving the majority of patients who are treated in community practices and hospitals without access to a clinical trial when their care journey calls for one. START serves the many – by bringing cancer trials to physicians and their patients in community hospitals and practices when hope is needed most.
START represents the world’s largest roster of Principal Investigators (PIs) across its eight clinical trial sites. Committed to accelerating passage from trials to treatments, START delivers hope to patients, families, and physicians around the world. As an example, in San Antonio, where START was founded, START treated the first patient ever with Keytruda – the most effective cancer drug in medical history.
We are hiring a Corporate Counsel who will specialize in helping START negotiate, draft, review, and manage clinical trial agreements (CTAs) and CTA amendments across START’s clinical research sites. This role also will work on various commercial contracts, vendor contracts, joint venture agreements, alliance matters with hospital and healthcare practice partners, and other commercial, regulatory, and legal matters relating to START’s business and pharma sponsors and partners. The attorney will work closely with START’s legal team and contracting function, operations teams, and external stakeholders to ensure legal compliance and operational efficiency across our clinical trial sites.
Ideally, this role will be for an Ireland-based mid-level transactional healthcare attorney with experience in healthcare/life sciences/pharma transactional matters, coming either from a law firm or in-house environment, after having received law firm training as an associate. The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for detail and a proven ability to build and implement efficient legal processes, and the role will be responsible for a wide range of legal matters, including contract drafting, negotiation and management, risk mitigation, and providing legal counsel to various departments within the company. The ideal candidate should be a self-starter with a track record of performance and ability to deliver with strong judgment.
Essential Responsibilities
1. Commercial Agreements and Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs):
1. Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize clinical trial agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturer sponsors, contract research organizations (CROs), and other stakeholders.
2. Draft and manage amendments, terminations, and extensions of existing agreements.
3. Negotiating and drafting agreements with vendors including suppliers, manufacturers, and consultants.
4. Modify and revise contract language to meet legal standards and business needs.
5. Advise and manage an extensive portfolio of new and ongoing legal matters, including, but not limited to, contractual obligations and resolution of contract-related disputes.
6. Audit contracts for renewal deadlines and other ongoing requirements.
7. Ensure that contracts comply with applicable laws and regulations, including industry-specific standards.
8. Other commercial and/or contractual duties that may be assigned.
2. Contract Management:
1. Maintain an organized system for contract storage, tracking, and version control.
2. Ensure all contracts are properly executed, filed, and accessible for future reference.
3. Develop and maintain a robust system for tracking and managing contracts, deliverables, and deadlines.
4. Collaborate with internal teams to streamline processes for efficient contract management.
3. Regulatory Compliance:
1. Ensure compliance with EU and country-specific/region-specific laws, rules, and regulations.
2. Monitor changes in clinical trial legislation and regulation, and advise the organization on potential legal and operational impacts.
4. Sponsor Collaboration:
1. Serve as the primary legal contact for pharmaceutical sponsors and Contract Research Organizations (CROs), providing timely and practical legal advice.
2. Facilitate negotiations to address complex contractual issues, balancing organizational needs with sponsor expectations.
5. Risk Mitigation:
1. Identify potential legal and regulatory risks in clinical trial operations and propose mitigation strategies.
2. Advise on dispute resolution strategies and support the resolution of contractual conflicts.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
1. Partner with internal departments, including clinical operations, medical affairs, and finance, to align contractual and operational goals.
2. Provide legal training and guidance to clinical operations staff regarding contract terms and compliance issues.
7. Legal Support:
1. Assist with related legal matters across the company, including data use and data protection agreements, vendor contracts, hospital and site-partner contracts, confidentiality agreements, and other related agreements.
2. Provide advice on intellectual property and publication rights as they pertain to clinical trials.
Education & Experience
1. Law degree
2. Qualification to practice law
3. Minimum 3-5 years of experience in healthcare-focused commercial agreements or a related legal role, preferably in the clinical research, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or healthcare sector.
4. Law firm and/or healthcare in-house experience required.
5. Proven track record of successful negotiation and contract management.
6. Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
7. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
8. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
9. Proficiency with legal contract management systems and tools.
10. Detail-oriented, highly organized, able to provide practical commercial legal advice.
11. Desire to grow and help scale a business.
12. Proactive and solution-driven.
13. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Physical And Travel Requirements
1. Required to travel up to 10% of the time.
2. Ability to sit at a desk or workstation for extended periods.
3. Ability to perform occasional walking (e.g., to retrieve documents, attend meetings) or light physical activity as necessary.
4. Ability to perform repetitive tasks involving typing, clicking, and scrolling.
5. Ability to read, comprehend, and respond to digital communications (e.g., emails, chat messages, documents) on a computer screen for extended periods.
More About The START Center For Cancer Research
Deeply rooted in community oncology centers globally, The START Center for Cancer Research provides access to specialized preclinical and early-phase clinical trials of novel anti-cancer agents. START clinical trial sites have conducted more than a thousand early-phase clinical trials, including for 43 therapies that were approved by the FDA. START represents the world’s largest roster of Principal Investigators (PIs) across its eight clinical trial sites. Committed to accelerating passage from trials to treatments, START delivers hope to patients, families, and physicians around the world. Learn more at STARTresearch.com.
Ready to be part of a team changing the future of cancer treatment?
Join us in our mission to conquer cancer, one clinical trial at a time. Your expertise and dedication can help us bring hope and healing to patients worldwide. Please submit your application online.
We are an equal opportunity employer that welcomes and encourages diversity in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
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