Legal Senior Counsel, Market Access

Job Description

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 (Payer Strategy, Trade & Distribution, Government Pricing, Government Affairs & Public Policy) and pipeline. The ideal candidate will have prior experience counseling prescription drug companies on legal issues related to market access, government pricing, contracting, federal and state laws impacting pricing, access, antitrust, state pricing transparency, and patient assistance.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise business partners on various commercial initiatives that advance 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, price‑reporting compliance policies and reasonable assumptions documents.
• Develop centers for Medicare and Medicaid final rules and correspondence, including letters and public comments on proposed rules and guidance.
• Monitor proposed and enacted United States federal and state legislation impacting pharmaceutical companies related to market access, pricing, reimbursement, state drug price‑reporting and transparency laws, and compliance.
• Advise on services and contracting related to specialty distributors and specialty pharmacy.
• Handle data and special projects.
• Lead brand strategic planning and business operation plans.
• Stay abreast of evolving healthcare legislation and regulations and the enforcement landscape.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and company policies, including the Anti‑kickback Statute and other U.S. health‑care compliance laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with legal colleagues supporting commercial, pipeline and privacy teams to ensure delivery of comprehensive legal advice.
• Review selected materials for the Communication Review Committee.
• Contribute to the Legal & Compliance Department by participating in various projects and initiatives, including committees such as Culture & 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 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 communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) and to provide 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 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.
• 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, educational assistance programs, student loan repayment, commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and more.

Flex Designation

Remote‑Eligible. In this Remote‑Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
1. Remote – work remotely five days per week and come into the office on occasion; 2. Hybrid – work remotely up to two days per week; or 3. On‑site – work five days per week on‑site with ad hoc flexibility.

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.

Accommodations

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at View email address on click.appcast.io.