Contracts Attorney

Contract Attorney Job Description

The Contract Attorney plays a pivotal role in the Company’s operations, involving creation, negotiation, review, and execution of contracts, ensuring they are legally sound and align with the organization’s strategic objectives and company policies. This position requires a meticulous eye for detail, a profound understanding of contract law, and exceptional negotiation skills.

In this role, the Contract Attorney will have access to sensitive company data, Protected Health Information (PHI) and Electronic Protected Health Information (EPHI). This dual role position will be for both companies, Heritage Biologics and Summit SD. The Contract Attorney will report directly to the Vice President at each organization.

Job Responsibilities And Essential Functions

• Independently draft, review, negotiate, and finalize contracts, including but not limited to:
• NDAs, MSAs, & SOW
• Procurement agreements
• Manufacturing contracts
• Distribution agreements
• Consulting agreements
• Vendor agreements
• Various agreements include business development opportunities with Manufacturers, Health Systems, and other industry partners.
• Ensure contracts comply with FDA, DEA, state pharmacy boards, and other industry-specific regulatory requirements.
• Provide legal analysis and recommendations regarding contract disputes, regulatory compliance risks, or potential liabilities related to pharmaceutical distribution, reimbursement agreements, and payer-provider contracts.
• Ensure contract terms are favorable to the company and consistently align with business standards and policies.
• Collaborate with internal teams to evaluate legal, compliance, financial, and business risks associated with contracts, ensuring the best protection of company interests while facilitating the escalation and resolution of complex issues as needed.
• Create and oversee the company’s contract management system, implementing improvements to the contracting process and strategy.
• Serve as a liaison with outside counsel, managing commercial contracts and requests within the contract lifecycle.
• Complete special projects, including collaborating on department-wide or company-wide initiatives.
• Conduct legal research on contract law and regulatory developments affecting Specialty Pharmacy and Specialty Distribution operations.
• Assist in implementing new policies and procedures as needed.
  

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in Missouri, at minimum
• Minimum 5 years of experience in contract law, corporate law, or a related field, preferably within healthcare, pharmacy, or pharmaceutical distribution.
• Strong understanding of PBM contracts, GPO agreements, trade and distribution contracts, and reimbursement structures.
• Experience with new product launches is strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, guidance and industry codes related to the pharmaceutical industry
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to conduct research, learn new regulations and legal precepts, and to articulate ideas to help the business grow
• Ability to accurately predict outcomes with some certainty
• Ability to manage a workload with multiple projects and stakeholders
• Proficiency with MS Office products (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong negotiation, analytical and drafting skills required
• Excellent communication skills are needed. Demonstrated ability to work efficiently, meet demanding deadlines and balance multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• A customer service orientation and the ability to manage multiple issues and tasks and to assume substantial responsibility are required
• Soft Skills required for this position:
• Negotiation Skills: Ability to advocate for company interests while maintaining strong professional relationships.
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in contract terms, compliance, and risk assessment.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal skills for clear contract interpretation and stakeholder discussions.
• Problem-Solving: Quick assessment of legal risks and finding practical solutions.
• Collaboration: Working seamlessly with internal teams, vendors, and external counsel.
• Time Management: Handling multiple contracts efficiently within deadlines.
• Adaptability: Staying updated with changing industry regulations and legal landscapes.
• Ethical Judgment: Ensuring integrity and compliance in all legal matters.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and technical journals, system application manuals, basic financial reports, and basic legal documents.
• Mathematical skills: Ability to solve simple math problems and analyze numbers as they relate to necessary job functions.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Additional skills required: multi-tasking, listening, teamwork, people skills, documentation skills, PC proficiency, organization, customer service, creating a safe and effective environment.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Specialty Pharmacy, Specialty Distribution, or Pharmaceutical Trade Relations law
• Knowledge of 340B Drug Pricing Program, Medicaid Best Price, and other regulatory frameworks impacting pharmaceutical dispensing & distribution
• Previous experience in a corporate legal department or law firm handling healthcare and pharmaceutical contract matters
  
  

Physical Requirements And Screenings

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Must be able to lift and carry 20 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands or fingers to handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
  
  

Travel and Work Location

• This position is a remote role. As such, the employee is required to work and be available during regular business hours to allow for the highest level of collaboration with their team and other departments.
• Travel between Summit Holdings XI offices as required to execute job responsibilities listed above.
  
  

The job description and list of duties indicated above is not comprehensive. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time.