Director, Corporate Counsel

Job Summary

If you are an experienced attorney familiar with employment law, complex civil/commercial litigation, general corporate law and governance principles, privacy, information security and corporate policy development, and you want to work in Otsuka’s ethical, fast-paced, adaptive and collaborative culture, please keep reading.

This role requires an attorney who is a big-picture thinker who is able to anticipate changes in law, environment and company objectives and manage and mitigate risk accordingly. In order to be an effective and strategic corporate counsel, this attorney will maintain familiarity with laws that affect areas of Otsuka’s operations, including those relevant to labor and employment, sourcing and contract negotiation, privacy, information security, governance, and those affecting a global company operating in the life sciences industry. You must be comfortable developing, implementing and executing legal strategies that provide a solid legal position while enabling the business objectives.

This role requires an individual who has exceptional business counseling gravitas and the ability to build strong, trusting relationships with business partners, influences and guides multi-functional teams to achieve optimal business outcomes.

This role is based in Otsuka’s Princeton, NJ office. We currently have a hybrid in-office attendance policy.

Job Description

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide expert guidance on the legal aspects of the employment relationship with our employees and compliance with the myriad federal, state, and local laws that govern this relationship and the workplace.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives, policies and procedures for the management of employment litigation.
• Keep abreast of US employment/labor law developments in the statutory and regulatory arena and communicate pertinent information to the HR community and company leadership to ensure compliance and minimize risk.
• Provide Legal support for all functions with employment law matters
• Draft, review and manage a variety of contracts and agreements.
• Provide guidance to multi-functional teams to ensure compliance with company policies and legal/regulatory requirements.
• Manage litigation and related processes including budget, staffing, strategy, and mitigation efforts.
• Perform other legal, administrative and corporate duties upon request.
  
  

Additional Director, Corporate Counsel Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate complex, expertise-led solutions against a range of criteria to find the ones that best meet business needs.
• Manage relationships with internal clients and act as a business partner to them, building high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust
• Recommend changes to policies, processes, standards and practices that would improve operational support.
• Provide specialist advice on the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, resolving queries and issues and referring very complex or contentious issues to others.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

EDUCATION:

• Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) or equivalent degree and admission to at least one state bar required
  
  

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 7 years of combined relevant experience as an attorney at a law firm and/or in the life sciences industry
• Experience & demonstrated ability to collaborate, build and sustain effective partnerships with multicultural key stakeholders and project teams
• Up to 25% travel is required based upon business needs.
  
  

Preferred

• Experience providing guidance on corporate restructuring, reorganizations, and reductions in force
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the area of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging including support of corporate initiatives and risk assessments
• Experience managing complex civil litigations including experience with Class or Collective Actions
• Experience conducting internal investigations preferred
• Experience with California law preferred
• Previous law firm experience preferred
• Experience of managing external service providers preferred
  
  

Competencies

Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.

Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.

Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.

Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.

Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://www.otsuka-us.com/careers-join-otsuka.

Disclaimer:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request.



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At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.

Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.

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Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and ODH, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.