Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial & Operations

The Senior Legal Counsel plays a pivotal role in our legal team, contributing to advising our pet health businesses while also acting as a trusted advisor and issue spotter for a heavily regulated industry who can provide guidance on a variety of commercial matters. This position requires a legal professional with experience in dealing with general corporate and contracting matters for highly regulated industries with particular skill with regulatory risk spotting (antitrust, GPO management, intellectual property, etc.), risk management, specialized healthcare matters, and general negotiations.  The successful candidate will provide legal advice to legal colleagues and business units which includes providing training to internal clients, negotiating a wide variety of contracts (largely distributions agreements) and drafting templates and/or playbooks. In addition, we look for colleagues who embrace technology and act as a team player in doing their part in creating a scalable legal department. This role involves collaboration with cross-functional teams to mitigate legal risks and support the company's growth objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUITES AND RESPONSIBILITIES and other duties as required.

• Provide guidance and counsel on commercial, corporate and operational matters with particular perspective relative to the highly regulated industry Covetrus operates in.
• Prepare and provide ongoing training to legal colleagues as well as internal clients on contractual and commercial aspects impacted by regulatory considerations;
• Draft, review, and negotiate sell and resell pharmaceutical product agreements, including working with specialized GPOs on behalf of the Legal Team;
• Advise on legal issues that impact relationships between GPOs and Covetrus, Inc., including working with compliance on appropriate firewall terms and programs;
• Serve as first point of contact for escalated matters form our paralegals on contract review related topics;
• Review, negotiate and manage more complex and critical negotiations with our direct suppliers;
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure compliance with legal requirements and company policies;
• Assist in the development and implementation of legal strategies to protect the company's interests and mitigate risks;
• Maintain and expand negotiation guides and annotated agreements for distribution sell and resell agreements (especially as they pertain to GPOs);
• Support and build out processes to streamline legal review, creating greater efficiencies in a lean legal team;
• Collaborate on and lead other project-based work within the scope of the legal department responsibilities on an as-needed basis;
• Identify operational efficiencies,by analyzing current processes and implementing improvements;
• Ethically utilize AI technologies to enhance legal operations and decision-making.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and/or Experience

• 8 plus years’ legal experience with a focus in supporting commercial, corporate and operational matters for a highly regulated industry.
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Good standing member of the US bar.
• Background in health care commercial practices, focus on animal health or pharmaceuticals preferred.
• Proven track record in advising business units on commercial and corporate needs as well as the regulatory impact.
• Experience in driving process improvements to enhance legal service efficiencies for our internal customers.
• Experience utilizing legal technologies such as advanced contract management systems.
• Experience in collaborating with cross-functional departments.

Competencies (Skills & Abilities)

• Passion for collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Ability to provide proactive and strategic legal advice aligned with business objectives.
• Holistic understanding of the industry and integrating legal strategies with overall business goals.
• Proficient in concise and effective written and verbal communication.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Forward-thinking approach to legal technology adoption and integration into daily workflows. Experience implementing operational improvements that balance legal risk management with business objectives.
• Commercially driven with a focus on stakeholder partnership.
• Thrives in fast-paced, business-centric environments, typical of high-growth companies.
• Excellent self-management and organizational abilities.
• In-depth knowledge of antitrust and health care matters in commercial agreements.
• Passionate and positive team influencer.
• Curiosity and the sincere desire to assist every member of the organization to succeed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Salary may vary depending on factors such as confirmed job-related skills, experience, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top end of the range for their role. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each case.

However, the pay range for this position is as follows. Sales Positions are eligible for a Variable Incentive

We offer the following benefits for you to take advantage of while you are here provided you meet the eligibility requirements under each governing program:

•            401k savings & company match

•            Paid time off

•            Paid holidays

•            Maternity leave

•            Parental leave

•            Military leave

•            Other leaves of absence

•            Health, dental, and vision benefits

•            Health savings accounts

•            Flexible spending accounts

•            Life & disability benefits​

•            Identity theft protection

•            Pet insurance

•            Certain positions may include eligibility for a short term incentive plan

Covetrus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.