Senior Director, Head of Legal Operations UK

We are currently recruiting for a Head of Legal Operations to assist the General Counsel on all UK legal operational and compliance matters.

Job purpose

Work closely with the UK Site leadership team and Contracts team to advise on legal operational, contractual and compliance matters to ensure that OXB is not exposed to unacceptable risks through its relationships with other parties.

Your responsibilities in this role would be:

UK Site Legal Operational matters

Primary point of contact for UK Site Leadership team in respect of UK Site operational legal issues.
Keep General Counsel apprised of any UK Site operational issues
Advise on operational legal matters arising for a CDMO based in the UK, including issues relating to GMP suppliers, facilities and UK site services including property portfolio matters
Support the Contracts teams with the drafting and amending of contracts/ T&C’s, work orders, etc relating to Clients and supplier’s, facilities and UK Site services
Support the Contracts team, advising on general English law queries and due diligence and ABAC requirements
Support the Contracts team with the creation and maintenance of legal contracts, templates and negotiation parameters
Triage general mailboxes queries

Legal Compliance

Proactively work with the UK Site Head and UK Site leadership team to ensure that the Company conducts business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, OXB Polices and SOP’s
Keep General Counsel apprised of any UK Site compliance issues
Proactively assess risk in the UK Site and work with relevant departments to ensure robust policies/SOP’s or contract terms are in place to reduce and mitigate risk
Analyse existing tools and processes for legal and compliance matter management, and work with departments to develop process improvements and other efficiencies
Collaborate with the Head of Legal France to develop and monitor core global legal SOP’s/ Policies, share best practices and intercompany commercial matters
Work with the Deputy GC to the coordinate global and Site-specific training opportunities on particular policies
Participate in risk management meetings

Litigation

Advise on supplier litigation
Advise on client litigation
Assist with management of contentious matters
Complete compliance and litigation registers

Data protection

Participate in the Data Protection Group
Keep abreast of GDPR regulatory/ reporting requirements
Assist with data protection issues arising through UK site operations
Assist with Data Protection policy management and updates

ESG

Working knowledge of ESG best practice and regulatory/ reporting requirements and liability
Collaborate with the UK Site Head and other key business stakeholders to help drive a sustainable culture throughout the business focusing on the Group’s ESG strategy and recommend ESG best practice in line with regulatory and reporting guidelines

Crisis management

Primary point of contact for legal operational advice on UK Site Crisis Management issues

Budget

Assist with the Legal Department’s budget and forecasting processes and monitor the budget to control costs

Role Impact

Primary point of contact for UK Site Leadership team in respect of UK Site operational legal issues, reducing reliance and spend on external counsel.
Advise on any significant or unusual risks associated with UK Site operations.
Provide specific training and mentoring to members of the Contracts team.

We are looking for:

Minimum Entry Level of Education Required for the Role

Solicitor with current practising certificate
(LLB) Hons

Functional Knowledge Required in the Role

High level understanding of general commercial law
Experience of having worked in a CDMO / Pharma services company, preferable

Innovation and Problem Solving

Ability to review and provide advice on various legal, commercial and operational matters
Ability to balance risk, identifying and recommending commercial, as well as legal, solutions to problems

Team working and Leadership

Ability to work both independently and as part of a larger cross-departmental team to solve complex/ sensitive legal issues
Ability to work collaboratively with both internal colleagues, clients, suppliers and external advisors
Ability to balance responsiveness with responsibility
Open, approachable and respectful demeanour

Communication and Influencing Skills

Confidence to deliver clear and complex legal advice to OXB colleagues, including Corporate Executive Team, Site Head and Site Senior Leaders
Ability to clearly and firmly negotiate legal and commercial issues, both verbally and in writing, to clients and suppliers
Competent in using the English language verbally and in writing

Other Required Personal Attributes

Confidence and leadership qualities
Pragmatic, collaborative and flexible in approach
Ability to work under pressure
Ability to work on multiple issues at the same time, yet able to prioritise workload
Ability to instruct and liaise with outside counsel

About Us:

OXB is a quality and innovation-led viral vector CDMO with a mission to enable its clients to deliver life changing therapies to patients around the world. One of the original pioneers in cell and gene therapy, we have more than 25 years of experience in viral vectors; the driving force behind the majority of gene therapies.

OXB collaborates with some of the world’s most innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, providing viral vector development and manufacturing expertise in lentivirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV) and adenoviral vectors. OXB’s world-class capabilities span from early-stage development to commercialisation. These capabilities are supported by robust quality-assurance systems, analytical methods, and depth of regulatory expertise.

What’s in it for you:

Highly competitive total reward packages
Wellbeing programmes
Development opportunities
Welcoming, friendly, supportive colleagues
A diverse and inclusive working environment
Our values are: Responsible, Responsive, Resilient, Respect
State of the art laboratory and manufacturing facilities

We want you to feel inspired every day. We’re future-focused and our business is growing rapidly. We succeed together through passion, commitment and teamwork, and so can you.

Collaborate. Contribute. Change lives