Senior Paralegal - Job ID: 1446

Ascendis Pharma is a dynamic, fast-growing global biopharmaceutical company with locations in Denmark, Europe, and the United States. Today, we're advancing programs in Endocrinology Rare Disease and Oncology.

Here at Ascendis, we pride ourselves on exceptional science, visionary leadership, and skilled and passionate colleagues.

Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we use our TransCon® drug development platform to fulfill our mission of developing new and potentially best-in-class therapies to address unmet medical needs.

Our culture fosters a place where skilled, adaptable, and highly resourceful professionals can truly make their mark. We offer a dynamic workplace for employees to grow and develop their skills.

This position reports to the US General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. The Senior Paralegal will be part of the Ascendis Pharma Legal and Compliance team and responsible for negotiating contracts, improving processes, and directly advising Ascendis Pharma’s businesses regarding legal and policy obligations in consultation with department attorneys and guidelines. The Senior Paralegal must be able to work independently, successfully, and collaboratively in a matrix environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and manages a variety of agreements and amendments, including master services agreements for all types of services, professional services and consulting agreements, statements of work, and non-disclosure agreements, with minimal attorney supervision.
• Assists attorneys with the creation of contract templates and client trainings; assists and/or manages special projects and Company-wide initiatives as needed.
• Proactively identifies issues, performs analyses, proposes solutions, and provides guidance directly to business clients.
• Assists attorneys in managing and resolving complex legal issues on projects or negotiations involving multiple disciplines within Legal department and/or multiple functional areas within Ascendis Pharma.
• Possesses sound knowledge of clients’ business and knowledge of the broader business impact.
• Keeps abreast of changes in laws that affect client areas and engages in continuing legal education.
• Possesses good judgment in knowing when to advise legal department managers of critical project developments in a timely manner.
• Develops meaningful and respectful relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, collaborates effectively, and executes core job responsibilities in a timely manner.
• Manages the Legal and Compliance department budget.
• Manages the Legal contract management process.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Experience working in a matrix, international environment.
• Ability to be decisive.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Sound judgment and commitment to ethical conduct.
• Excellent communication (oral and written), organization/analytical, and interpersonal skills; attention to detail, flexibility, and project management abilities.
• Team player who can develop strong relationships with clients.
• Proven ability/interest in working across a broad range of subject matter areas.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently, reliable, responsive, and accountable.
• Appetite to learn with strong initiative.
• Ability to meet high quality and timeliness standards under pressure.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree and / or relevant legal education (Paralegal certificate).
• Minimum 5 years of paralegal experience including significant experience in negotiating contracts (master services agreements, healthcare professional consulting agreements, and confidentiality agreements.
• Experience in a corporate legal environment.
• Prior Pharma/Health Care experience is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and SharePoint.

A note to recruiters:

We do not allow external search party solicitation.  Presentation of candidates without written permission from the Ascendis Pharma Inc Human Resources team (specifically from: Talent Acquisition Partner or Human Resources Director) is not allowed.  If this occurs your ownership of these candidates will not be acknowledged.

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-offered Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Company-provided short and long-term disability benefits
• Unique offerings of Pet Insurance and Legal Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Professional Development
• Health Saving Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various incentive compensation plans
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance  
• Mental Health resources
• Paid leave benefits for new parents