Counsel, Global Research

About the Department

Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Seattle reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.

The Position

The Counsel, Global Research is primarily responsible for providing legal advice and support to the R&D function, with an emphasis on the Global Research, Therapeutics Discovery, and AI and Digital Innovation (ADI) teams. They will ensure timely review, strategic advice, drafting and negotiation of research agreements (including collaboration and service agreements), and other contract types. The Counsel, Global Research will independently identify and suggest solutions to complex legal issues, ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and internal policy requirements and mitigate legal risks in transactions.

Relationships

Reports to a Managing Assistant General Counsel. The role interacts with internal stakeholders and leadership within Research & Development and with internal subject matter experts, outside counsel and leadership within Global Legal, IP and Security, primarily in offices in Greater Boston and and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Essential Functions

• Review, draft and negotiate a variety of agreements, such as non-disclosure and material transfer agreements, master agreements and SOWs, SaaS agreements and research agreements and review transaction structure across a range of areas
• Independently ensure timely review and response on all contract and proposal requests and escalates concerns appropriately
• Aid in development or modifications of templates, tools and procedures; participate in team meetings
• Work cross-functionally throughout R&D to understand full scope of internal needs and vendor services and to ensure contract obligations are communicated and managed
• Complete high volumes of tasks and projects quickly with little guidance, react with appropriate urgency to situations and events that require a quick response or turnaround.
• Client-service oriented, have great attention to detail while still meeting deadlines, have excellent organization skills and the ability to switch gears easily
• A high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information and professionalism in dealing with senior professionals internally and externally are essential

Physical Requirements

Approximately 5% overnight travel. Travel would mainly be to US R&D sites and/or Denmark.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree required and JD or equivalent required
• A minimum of 3 years relevant experience in contract drafting, review and management
• Pharmaceutical, biotech or life sciences industry experience preferred
• Experience drafting and negotiating detailed and complex contracts common to the life sciences industry preferred
• Possess and demonstrate exceptional judgment, self-management, impeccable ethics and a high degree of personal and professional maturity required
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership required
• Demonstrated experience in thinking critically and connecting the dots across broad areas to identify and analyze complex, novel, and challenging issues, well-articulating the risk and potential consequences for transparent decision making, and timely providing compliant, practical, creative and implementable solutions required
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Demonstrated ability and prioritization to be a valued business partner required
• Exceptional multi-tasker with strong work ethic to deliver timely, high-quality work product
• Proactive in identifying issues, opportunities and solutions for short and long-term success and growth for the business and legal team

The base compensation range for this position is $116,810 to $216,100. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. 

Novo Nordisk offers long-term incentive compensation and/or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors. 

Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy, and parental leave policy.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.