Head of Legal US
Location: Waltham, MA (Hybrid)
POSITION SUMMARY
Thea Pharma, Inc. is the newly established US affiliate of Laboratories Théa, a global pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The company has focused on the development and commercialization of OTC and prescription therapeutics for the treatment of eye diseases for 30 years. Théa is advancing development for OTC and prescription ophthalmic products and has launched its lead product for the treatment of glaucoma in the US in 2023.
The position of Head of Legal US is a dynamic member of Thea Pharma, Inc. This individual ensures the legal compliance of the subsidiary's operations by adhering to industry regulations and local laws, according to the Group rules. This position will have a dual reporting into the US Country Manager and Head of Legal subsidiaries and will also manage a Sr. Contracts Manager.
This individual will be responsible for managing contracts, review all the legal implications of the projects the subsidiary wishes to implement (commercial law, consumer law, pharmaceutical law, etc.), provide advice on intellectual property matters, and handle local litigation and legal risk management. Approve and monitor the budget for local legal department expenditure and provide legal training to employees of the local subsidiary, in line with local requirements and the Group's legal training program
Key Responsibilities
Corporate Law:
Suggest an update of the bylaws and the lease agreement if needed
Draft the first version of the annual validation accounts documentation to be validated by HQ
Prepare the document to appoint or resign a Country manager and register them
Litigation:
Manage pre-litigation and inform the HQ when a pre litigation seems to become a litigation or when the prelitigation is closed
Propose solution to manage litigation locally
If the litigation is managed locally, conduct the strategy to manage it
Contracts:
Adapt the Group template of contracts with local regulation and practices, provide oversight to the contracts manager who will;
For intercompany agreements:
- review the contract and provide its legal local feedback
- be responsible of the circulation of the contract in the affiliate to collect local comments
- discuss with HQ to agree on a final version
For targeted contracts:
- review the contract and provide its legal local feedback
- be responsible of the circulation of the contract in the affiliate to collect local comments
- discuss with HQ to agree on a final version
- negotiate with local providers
- ensure the signature of the contract
For non targeted contracts: be responsible to draft, ensure compliance, circulate the contract in the affiliate, negotiate the contract and ensure its signature.
Archive the local contracts and ensure that the contracts are implemented in Galexy system
Inform the legal HQ team when the litigation is closed
Insurance Management:
Manage local insurance policies (subscription, maintenance, declaration of claims and follow-up, managing locally the application of master policies with local brokers) and check periodically with HQ that the insurance levels are compatible with Group standards
Implement locally global procedures and manage the local insurances budget
Inform HQ about any claims or threat of claims before engaging any contact with local brokers or insurers; and follow HQ recommendation
Regulation monitoring:
Ensure to have a process in place in the affiliate to ensure the local regulation are monitored and 1) implemented in the affiliate and 2) communicated to HQ according to the group regulation monitoring.
Subcontractor and lawyers
Prospect and propose to the HQ legal department law firms that could be brought in to work on the various files/issues that the subsidiary may have to deal with.
Manage these law firms in conjunction with the HQ Legal Department.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree is required, Juris Doctor from an accredited law school in the U.S. is required, (admission to MA bar is preferred but not required)
- Minimum of 5 years of legal experience in commercial life sciences, healthcare law, risk analysis, intellectual property
- Strong litigation & negotiation skills
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including advanced contracting skills with strong attention to detail
- Manage outside counsel as specialized advice is required for projects or activities
- Strong organizational skills in order to maintain a high level of productivity, innovation and priority-settling in order to meet commitments on-time and handle a high volume of work
- Proven ability to work with a high level of integrity, transparency, accuracy and attention to detail
- Management experience, providing leadership and mentoring to junior staff
- Travel requirement: Approximately 25% international
Thea Pharma Inc. is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. At Thea, we not only support the diversity of our employee population, we celebrate the way our team member’s unique backgrounds and experiences contribute to the success of our company. Thea does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Thea Pharma Inc. does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind.
BENEFITS AND PERKS
Thea offers a full suite of employee benefits, including employer-paid health insurance, a generous schedule of paid time off (PTO), Life and Disability insurance, and 401K. Thea is a flexible and entrepreneurial work environment where you will enjoy an inclusive culture and the opportunity to have your voice and ideas directly shape the future of the company.
Your information will be kept confidential according to EEO Guidelines.