Senior Counsel -US Rare Tumors

Merck Group$188K — $283K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school.
  • Active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
  • 7-10 years of legal experience in a firm and/or in-house.
  • Strong ability to interpret healthcare laws and regulations in a business context.
  • Excellent communication, drafting, and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as primary legal counsel for a key Rare Tumors brand, reviewing promotional and scientific materials.
  • Ensure compliance with FDA, OIG, CMS, and company policies.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate various agreements related to the therapeutic area.
  • Deliver legal training on healthcare laws and compliance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align practices with legal standards.
  • Identify and manage potential legal risks proactively.

Benefits

  • Health insurance coverage.
  • Paid time off (PTO).
  • Retirement contributions.
  • Sales or performance-based bonuses.
  • Variety of other employee perquisites.
Full Job Description
Your Role:

The Senior Counsel, Rare Tumors will provide comprehensive legal support to a Therapeutic Area, including both Commercial and Medical functions. Specifically, this role will be part of the legal team supporting Rare Tumors, one of EMD Serono's key Therapeutic Areas, and will report to an Associate General Counsel.

The role requires a deep understanding of healthcare laws and regulations applicable to pharmaceutical commercialization, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, FDA promotional regulations, OIG guidance, and laws governing patient support and affordability programs. The ideal candidate will be a proactive, collaborative legal partner who enables business goals while ensuring compliance with ethical standards.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Primary Legal Counsel: Serve as lead attorney for a key brand of the Rare Tumors Therapeutic area, including: review of marketing (promotional) materials; advice regarding Marketing and Sales Operations; review of scientific (non-promotional) materials; advice regarding Medical Affairs and Medical Operations; manage outside counsel as specialized advice is required for Therapeutic Area projects; work collaboratively with paralegals.
  • Compliance & Regulatory Oversight: Ensure all activities comply with FDA, OIG, CMS, and state requirements, as well as company policies and industry codes (e.g., PhRMA Code).
  • Contracting & Negotiations: Draft, review, and negotiate agreements with advertising, consulting, call center and Therapeutic Area-specific distribution agreements, as well as contracting with healthcare professionals including advisory boards and consulting.
  • Training & Education: Deliver legal training on relevant healthcare laws and company compliance requirements.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Commercial, Compliance, Medical Affairs, and Regulatory teams to align business practices with legal standards. Collaborate with US and Global colleagues in order to ensure business strategies and objectives comply with applicable laws, regulations and policies.
  • Risk Management: Proactively identify, counsel, and communicate potential legal issues to mitigate risk. Manage risks through counseling, training and practical application of relevant legal and regulatory requirements, Company policies and procedures to Therapeutic Area operations.


Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
  • Active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
  • 7-10 years of legal experience in a firm and/or in-house.
  • Strong ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, and guidance in a practical, business-oriented manner.
  • Excellent communication, drafting, and negotiation skills.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively across multiple functions in dynamic and fast-paced environment.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Prior in-house experience at a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company.
  • Demonstrated expertise in healthcare fraud and abuse laws, FDA regulatory matters, and patient support program compliance.
  • Experience supporting commercial business units, including contracting, supporting the development of commercial strategies.
  • Experience participating in or advising MLR/Promotional Review Committees.
  • Background in compliance counseling or interaction with government agencies (OIG, DOJ, FDA).


Competencies:
  • Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
  • Excellent judgment and risk-based decision-making.
  • Collaborative, practical, and solutions oriented.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively.
  • Committed to ethics, compliance, and patient-centered values.


Pay Range for this position: $188,600 - $283,000

The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites. For more information click here.

Direct link to benefits site if the hyperlink no longer works: https://careers.emdgroup.com/us/en/benefits].

About Merck Group

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