Hays
Senior Legal Counsel (6-month FTC)

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Your new company
A leading global pharmaceutical organisation is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join its UK legal team on an initial 6-month contract, with the potential for extension. Based in London on a hybrid basis, the contract is full-time, though part-time working arrangements could be considered for the right candidate.
Working closely with senior legal and business stakeholders, you will provide broad commercial legal support relating to the commercialisation of medicines in the UK. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced pharmaceutical lawyer to work across a varied portfolio of commercial, regulatory, data privacy and strategic matters within a complex, highly regulated environment.
Your new role
Reporting into the Legal Director, you will provide pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice to stakeholders across commercial, medical, market access, corporate affairs and other business functions.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Advising on the commercialisation, sales and marketing of medicines in the UK, including ABPI Code, NHS collaborations, grants, sponsorships and reimbursement matters
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a range of commercial agreements, including services, sponsorship, collaboration, distribution and NHS-facing contracts
- Providing advice across data privacy, competition, AI, supply chain and investigator-sponsored research matters
- Partnering with cross-functional teams to identify and manage legal risk, providing practical and commercially focused solutions
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What you'll need to succeed
You will be a senior commercial lawyer, likely 8+ years' PQE as a guideline, with considerable in-house experience. Previous experience advising a UK pharmaceutical or biotechnology business on its sales and marketing activities is essential.
You will demonstrate:
- Strong knowledge of the ABPI Code, with experience advising on NHS collaborations, grants, sponsorships, reimbursement and other pharmaceutical-sector matters
- Broad commercial contracting experience alongside a solid grounding in competition law and UK/EU data privacy
- Strong stakeholder management skills and experience partnering with commercial, marketing, medical and compliance teams within a large corporate environment
- The ability to manage a varied workload and provide pragmatic advice across both straightforward and complex matters
- Current SRA Practising Certificate, although candidates with a current overseas practising certificate and considerable UK experience may also be considered.


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What you'll get in return
- £650-£735 per day PAYE, dependent on experience
- Initial 6-month contract with potential for extension
- Hybrid working from a London office, preferably at least 2 days per week on-site
- Opportunity to undertake broad, high-quality legal work within a leading global pharmaceutical business
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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