IP Counsel

Description

Centrient Pharmaceuticals is the leading manufacturer of beta-lactam antibiotics, and a provider of next generation statins and anti-fungals. We produce and sell intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage forms.

We stand proudly at the centre of modern healthcare, as a maker of essential and life-saving medicines.

With our commitment to Quality, Reliability and Sustainability at the heart of everything we do, our over 2200 employees work continuously to meet our customers’ needs. We work towards a sustainable future by actively participating in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Founded 150 years ago as the ‘Nederlandsche Gist- en Spiritusfabriek’, our company was known as Gist Brocades. Headquartered in Rotterdam (Netherlands), we have production facilities and sales offices in China, India, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States and Mexico. Centrient Pharmaceuticals is wholly owned by Bain Capital Private Equity, a leading global private investment firm.

The Corporate Legal department has a vacancy in its team for the following position:

IP Counsel

The scope of this role is to manage and advice on IP related matters to mainly support innovation and technology development (I&TD) at Centrient, with potentially need to provide support on other commercial and corporate related matters:

• Responsible to provide guidance and sound advice and managing assistance on all Centrient IP related matters, such as patents, trademarks or trade secrets, with focus on IP contractual aspects. The IP Counsel will have the I&TD Team as its main internal client and, as part of the Legal Team, the IP Counsel will be entrusted with the responsibility of providing assistance to i) liaise with or manage IP service providers and assist with IP prosecution topics; ii) assists with reviewing and drafting I&TD related agreements and other agreement with IP content, such as license, CRO, CDMO, NDA or distribution agreements; iii) advises on IP related matters and assists implementing and executing Centrient’s IP Policy; and iv) assist with IP defense, infringements or litigation matters when necessary to protect business’ interest. 

• In addition, the IP Counsel shall support and provide advice to other Legal Team Counsels on commercial and corporate legal matters if needed by i) acting as good and pragmatic in-house counsel in several areas and legal projects where his assistance may be required; ii) assisting with compliance and corporate governance processes.

• Reports to the Licensing and Sales Manager (Head of IP).

The main activities and responsibilities

• Helps the IP and Legal Teams to grow as key business driver resources to the I&TD Team.
• Acts as a good and efficient in-house counsel in reviewing, negotiating and drafting I&TD agreements and any other commercial agreements with IP content, while working together with other regional Legal Counsels and remaining a resource to the rest of the Legal Team.
• Supports and provides sound IP advice to the I&TD Team, and other business partners and Legal Team colleagues as needed.
• Assists with IP strategy for the I&TD Team (and other business units if needed) and translates it into actionable plans that drive effective and efficient executions.
• Liaise or manage outside IP services providers or counsels as needed.
• Helps implementing Centrient’s IP Policy and assists with IP education and internal trainings.
• Helps with IP litigation exposure to protect business’ interest.
• Co-operate with fellow Centrient Legal Counsels in daily activities and participates in accomplishment of mission and objectives of Centrient Legal Affairs (e.g. sharing best practices).
• Stays updated on developments in relevant legal areas and advise on appropriate measures.
• Provides additional effective and efficient non-IP legal support if requested e.g. legal opinions, commercial, compliance or corporate matters, rolling-out of templates.

Requirements

The Ideal Candidate

• Fully qualified lawyer in any European jurisdiction.
• At least 10 years of working experience in an international commercial legal environment and/or preferably combined with international experience in private practice.
• Proficiency level of English (written and spoken), fluency in at least one other European language preferred.
• Technically strong and having at least around 10 years of experience in reviewing, drafting and negotiating large IP related agreements, such as licensing, CRO, CDMO agreements.
• Strong analytical skills to identify risks and blind spots.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills (also in English), with the ability to translate (complex) business needs and IP topics to sound and clear language and provide clear and practical advice.
• Strong, highly collaborative and flexible team player with a keen business acumen.
• Self-starting, hands-on and pragmatic and able to cope with deadlines and set priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Service-minded, responsive and precise working style.
• Desire to learn about the business and acquire strong business acumen.
• Practical business and solution oriented approach.
• Team player while persevering an independent (legal) view.
• Solution oriented.

Benefits

Terms and reward

We offer a local contract in a challenging, comprehensive, operational environment, with many opportunities for personal input and growth and plenty of discussions with other professionals. The organization is very flat. You have a lot of freedom and responsibility in an open, direct, and informal atmosphere.

The Procedure

Please submit your application via the 'apply' button and upload your CV & cover letter in English. We also ask you to include information on your current remuneration. Only applications with CV and Cover Letter will be considered.

For more detailed information about the role and about the Recruitment & Selection process you can contact us via HRSpain@centrient.com. We invite you to visit our website www.centrient.com for information about our company.

Reference check procedures are part of the Centrient Recruitment & Selection Process. You will be contacted when a reference check is required.