Associate General Counsel - Market Access

Job Description

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. As a key member of the US Legal Team, the individual must have the appropriate level of business and compliance experience, as well as sound judgment to advise the business on complex legal issues and processes. The individual must have prior experience with establishing relations to US payers and pricing matters and will be expected to support our US Commercial organization in the efforts to commercialize our pipeline and in-line products in the US. The Associate General Counsel must be able to work independently, successfully, and collaboratively in a matrix environment.

This position will provide legal support for all aspects of the US Market Access function in the United States. This position serves as legal business partner to the US Market Access Team, providing pragmatic, solutions-oriented, proactive counseling in the development and execution of commercial strategies for selling of pharmaceutical products.

Key Responsibilities:

Advise market access clients on discount, rebate/price concession strategies, government pricing, copay/patient assistance programs, policy development, risk mitigation, and interactions with customers.

Draft, negotiate and review market access-related agreements, including: PBM agreements, GPO agreements, Specialty Pharmacy agreements, wholesaler agreements, discount and rebate agreements, distribution agreements, market research agreements, vendor agreements, and service agreements.

Advise on promotional materials for Market Access audience.

Collaborate with other Legal and Compliance colleagues to provide legal support to the organization.

Develop and conduct training for internal teams on market access-relevant topics.

Ensure that client operations comply with applicable laws and company policies, including Anti-kickback Statute and other US healthcare compliance laws and regulations.

Analyze market access initiatives, advisory board proposals, patient support services, and market access field-based activities for fraud and abuse, FDA, and other regulatory compliance.

Ensure that clients are kept abreast of all relevant legal developments in their areas of business by providing training and periodic updates.

Requirements

Deep understanding of the applicable legal and regulatory requirements including the Anti-kickback Statute and the False Claims Act

Experience working in a matrix, international environment

Comfortable engaging in proactive counseling and thoughtful risk-taking

Ability to be decisive

Ability to analyze complex scenarios to identify and evaluate risk

Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills

Sound judgment and commitment to ethical conduct

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively

Team player who can develop strong relationships with clients and cross

Proven ability/interest in working across a broad range of subject matter areas

Self-motivated, able to work independently, reliable, responsive, and accountable

Ability to meet high quality and timeliness standards under pressure

Ability to manage outside counsel and budget effectively and efficiently

Education and Experience:

JD or LLM degree from a nationally recognized law school

A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience. Prior experience as a member of an in-house legal department at a biotechnology or pharmaceuticals company strongly preferred

Admitted to the Bar of at least one state and eligible for admission to the New Jersey Bar as in-house counsel

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.

Benefits

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

Full-time