Legal Senior Counsel, Market Access

Job Summary

The person in this role will provide expert advice and counseling to the business on a broad array of strategic and tactical projects within a highly regulated environment. This position will report to the Assistant General Counsel and will be responsible for providing legal support to business partners in various departments across the organization, such as Market Access which includes Payer Strategy, Trade & Distribution and Government Pricing, Government Affairs & Public Policy, and pipeline. The ideal candidate will have prior experience counseling prescription drug companies on legal issues relating to market access, government pricing, contracting, federal and state laws impacting pricing and access, antitrust, state pricing transparency and patient assistance.

Key Responsibilities

Provide Advice and Counsel to Business Partners

• Advise business partners on various Commercial initiatives in a way that advances the company’s strategy while addressing legal risks and protecting the company’s integrity and reputation.
• Provide legal advice and counsel on: Statutory and regulatory obligations under Medicaid, Medicare, 340B program, Veterans Health Care Act.
• Market access and reimbursement issues.
• Government pricing, including price reporting compliance policies and reasonable assumptions documents.
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid final rules and correspondence including letters and public comments on proposed rules and guidance.
• Proposed and enacted United States federal and state legislation impacting pharmaceutical companies relating to market access, pricing, reimbursement as well as state drug price reporting and transparency laws and compliance.
• Services and contracting relating to specialty distributors and specialty pharmacies.
• Data and special projects.
• Brand strategic planning and business operation plans.
• Staying abreast of evolving healthcare legislation and regulations and the enforcement landscape.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and company policies, including Anti-kickback Statute and other US healthcare compliance laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with legal colleagues supporting commercial, pipeline and privacy to ensure delivery of comprehensive legal advice.
• Review select materials in Communication Review Committee.

Contribute to the Legal & Compliance Department

• Participate in various Legal & Compliance Department projects and initiatives, including committees such as Culture and Pro Bono & Community Engagement.
• Share information and knowledge through group presentations and individual discussions with peers and managers.

Qualifications, Professional Skills, And Preferred Experience

• JD from an ABA accredited law school.
• Member of a state bar.
• Minimum of 8 years post-JD experience advising on legal matters in a life sciences space, whether in a law firm or in-house in the biopharmaceutical industry, or both.
• Government price reporting experience.
• Experience advising on statutes, regulations, and guidance documents applicable to market access activities, including Medicaid, 340B program, Veterans Administration, federal and state anti-kickback statutes, state drug pricing transparency laws, OIG guidance documents and advisory opinions, the False Claims Act, and the PhRMA Code.
• Outstanding ability to effectively communicate (verbally and in writing), sound legal advice to lawyers and non-lawyers alike, coupled with a strong understanding of business needs.
• Advanced contracting and redlining skills with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and organizational skills to handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously and still meet high quality and timeliness standards.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage outside counsel and adhere to a budget.
• Experience providing legal advice on specialty medicines is highly desired.

Personal Attributes

• Self-starter and life-long learner with a strong work ethic and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Enjoys working collaboratively and cross-functionally on teams, as well as independently.
• Proactively solves problems and makes decisions with integrity and ethics.
• Thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Is eager to take on new challenges.

Pay Range

$214,400 - $321,600

Disclosure Statement

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Flex Designation

Remote-Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status

In this Remote-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as: Remote: work remotely five days per week and come into the office on occasion – you’re always welcome on-site; or select Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility. Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com

Key skills/competency

• Legal Counsel
• Market Access
• Government Pricing
• Healthcare Law
• Biopharmaceutical Industry
• Contracting
• Compliance
• Regulatory Affairs
• JD Degree
• Life Sciences