Lead Counsel, China R&D
- China - Beijing - Beijing
- China - Shanghai - Shanghai
ROLE SUMMARY
- The attorney in this position will be responsible for providing and managing the R&D Legal team’s support for clinical development and general legal matters in China. The role serves as a key strategic partner to Development China leadership. The role has key accountability to recognize legal issues and advise on a broad range of clinical trial-related issues in China including negotiation of clinical research agreements and clinical trial execution matters. The role also includes advising on more general legal issues arising in the Development China group, including regulatory matters, human genetic resources related processes, quality events, oversight of CROs and other vendors.
- This role will manage two attorneys based in Shanghai and will report to the International Clinical Development Legal lead, R&D Legal, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide and manage regional legal support to Pfizer’s clinical development activities in China.
- Manage Shanghai-based legal team of two attorneys.
- Strategically partner with Development China leadership to support day-to-day operations, and serve as the legal representative on various leadership teams and committees; partner with other support lines such as Compliance to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
- Assist clients with preparation, communications and meetings with government / regulatory agencies as needed.
- Provide legal advice related to clinical development and operational issues including clinical trial conduct, informed consent, subject privacy, human genetic resources, research injury claims, quality issues, grants, clinical vendors and site performance matters (e.g., adverse events, inspections, sample collection, post-study drug access, article publications, and audits).
- Provide legal support for business transactions including site and vendor contracting, collaboration and sponsorship agreements and confidentiality agreements. Support Innovation Centers and strategic collaborations.
- Review of internal and external communications and presentations.
The attorney is expected to independently advise clients on day-to-day legal issues. In addition, the attorney will have the ability to advise and influence across functions to ensure that legal issues are addressed.
Work collaboratively within the China-based legal teams and with other legal colleagues including those on the R&D Legal team, as well as colleagues in Pfizer China and other Pfizer affiliates.
Demonstrate strong organizational, interpersonal, influencing and communication skills in Mandarin Chinese and English.
Must have the highest integrity and work ethic, be detail-oriented and be able to prioritize and manage multiple assignments.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Licensed to practice law in China.
- Strong Mandarin Chinese and English language skills.
- At least 10 years’ experience as an attorney in private practice supporting biopharma companies, or in-house in the biotech and/or pharmaceutical industry.
- Significant and broad experience providing strategic guidance to senior business leaders similar to a general legal counselling role for an organization.
- Experience managing attorneys and triaging numerous types of requests for legal support.
- Excellent research, writing, negotiation, counselling, interpersonal and communication skills, and a client service orientation.
- Ability to work independently and to collaborate as a team member when needed, across the organization and with external counsel.
- Integrity and honesty, maturity, attention to detail, accountability, sound judgment, and the ability to prioritize and take ownership of issues and provide concise and timely advice.
Preferred:
- At least 12 years’ relevant experience as an attorney in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry or at a law firm supporting biopharma clients.
- Experience and working knowledge of clinical development issues including clinical trial conduct, informed consent, subject privacy, human genetic resources, research injury claims, quality issues, clinical vendors and site performance matters (e.g., adverse events, inspections, sample collection, post-study drug access, article publications, and audits).
- Experience and working knowledge of business transactions including site and vendor contracting, collaboration and sponsorship agreements, confidentiality agreements.
- Experience in interactions with governmental authorities.
- Experience managing outside counsel.
- Proven ability to cultivate strong client relationships, build credibility and successfully influence leadership in a fast-paced business climate.
- Culturally sensitiveand able to interact effectively with colleagues and clients from varied backgrounds.
- Demonstrated experience and success in managing and working within a complex matrixed environment.
- Graduate of a law program from an accredited university in China with a Chinese Bar Certification
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
This role would require occasional travel within China and to Pfizer New York headquarters or other Pfizer offices and regulatory agency locations
Work Location Assignment: Hybrid
Pfizer is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction in which it operates.
Legal AffairsBreakthroughs that change patients’ lives
Research confirms what intuition tells us: that purpose-driven companies perform better, are more innovative, attract and retain the best people, and know how to unleash the power of those people. Pfizer’s purpose—Breakthroughs that change patients' lives—fuels everything we do and reflects our passion for building on our legacy as one of the greatest contributors of good to the world.
Each word in our purpose has meaning and reflects the value we strive to bring to patients and society:
“Breakthroughs” - These are the innovations, scientific and commercial, that we seek to deliver every day. All colleagues, regardless of role, level or location, strive for breakthroughs every day.
“Change” - We want to do more than simply improve patients’ medical conditions; we want to dramatically change their lives for the better.
“Patients’ lives” - We consider not only patients, but everyone they touch—including their families, caregivers, and friends—and everything they love to do. It’s an intentionally holistic view.
Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies.
Every decision we make and every action we take is done with the patient in mind—and to nurture an environment where breakthroughs can thrive.
Our Values
To fully realize Pfizer’s purpose, we have established a clear set of expectations regarding “what” we need to achieve for patients and “how” we will go about achieving those goals.
The “how” is represented by four simple, powerful values—courage, excellence, equity, and joy—that define our company and our culture.
Courage: Breakthroughs start by challenging convention, especially in the face of uncertainty or adversity. This happens when we think big, speak up, and are decisive.
Excellence: We can only change patients’ lives when we perform at our best together. This happens when we focus on what matters, agree who does what, and measure our outcomes.
Equity: We believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for. This happens when we are inclusive, act with integrity, and reduce healthcare disparities.
Joy: We give ourselves to our work, but it also gives to us. We find joy when we take pride, recognize one another, and have fun.
Benefits at Pfizer
Pfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues. Our Pay for Performance Philosophy and Practices reward colleagues based on the contributions they make to our business.
Our Competitive Benefits Programs help our colleagues by:
- Promoting Health and Wellness to help colleagues maintain and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Pfizer offerings include health and disability insurance, preventative health programs, medical screenings, free or reduced-cost vaccinations, discounts on Pfizer products, mental health support, nutrition and fitness counseling and more.
- Strengthening Colleagues’ Financial Security by providing company contributions to retirement plans, life insurance and financial planning education to help colleagues achieve their financial goals.
- Providing Benefits and Time off for the Moments that Matter to ensure Pfizer colleagues have the time away from the office to recharge, recover and return to work as the best version of themselves. Vacation, Holiday time and Sick time are just the beginning, with a 12 week parental leave policy for both parents of a new born, 10 day of caregiver leave for those times when your family needs you whether it’s a child, spouse or parent, bereavement leave, and additional country-specific programs.
- And so much more, depending on your country and site, Pfizer offers childcare facilities or discount programs, on-site health and/or fitness centers, movement and mindfulness solutions, “Log in for your Day” work flexibility and so much more.
For U.S. based jobs, view an overview of Pfizer’s U.S. benefits program (opens in a new window)