Key Responsibilities
Main Purpose of Job:
The primary purpose of this role is to serve as a principal legal advisor and subject matter expert for Immunocore’s European business franchise. Based in Ireland, the UK, or Germany, the Director, Legal - Healthcare will provide strategic and authoritative legal counsel and day-to-day support for Commercial, Medical, Regulatory, and other associated support functions. This individual will bridge the gap between country-specific legal requirements and broader EMA regulatory frameworks to enable seamless pan-European operations. The Director, Legal - Healthcare will interpret complex business challenges, effectively deal with ambiguity, and apply their strong internal and external awareness to ensure the compliant execution of novel business strategies in a tightly regulated enforcement environment.
In line with the Director (Grade C1) expectations in the Job & Career Framework, the role applies extensive professional expertise to resolve critical issues, lead the application of existing principles, and guide development of new approaches where required.
The role is expected to operate across multiple areas of the business, anticipating legal risk early, shaping practical solutions, and enabling compliant innovation while protecting Immunocore’s reputation and long-term interests.
This position will report to the Senior Director, Legal – Healthcare (based in the USA). The ideal candidate will have prior experience counselling prescription drug companies on legal issues relating to advertising and promotion, medical and scientific exchange, interactions with healthcare professionals, and other related topics. The role is also expected to interact with senior management and cross-functional leaders, frequently negotiating matters of significance and reconciling multiple stakeholder views to drive business results.
The incumbent will be expected to maintain strategic awareness of the market, competitive landscape, and opportunities, understanding the impact of their decisions on short-term and long-term results. They will interact proactively with key stakeholders, influencing, negotiating, and persuading on difficult concepts.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Business Support: Contribute to the development of strategies while advising European business partners on Commercial, Medical, Regulatory, and associated business support initiatives, ensuring that functional plans are executed in compliance with local laws and EMA regulations while advancing the company’s global strategy.
Commercial & Medical Affairs: Provide legal oversight for advertising and promotion strategies, including social media, scientific exchange, and the dissemination of medical information. Work with a cross functional team to review materials to ensure compliance with relevant industry codes and national regulations.
Regulatory & EMA Awareness: Act as a subject matter expert on EMA regulatory rulings and national healthcare laws. Monitor and communicate significant legal developments, legislation, and regulatory trends that may impact the European business.
Cross-Functional Leadership: Serve as a key member of European leadership team. Support cross-functional projects with notable resource requirements, managing risks and complexity across multiple jurisdictions.
Stakeholder Management: Interact with senior management and external stakeholders, frequently negotiating matters of significance. Reconcile multiple stakeholder views to drive business results and maintain a culture of integrity.
Outside Counsel Management: Source and manage external legal counsel across various European jurisdictions, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective advice that meets business timelines.
General Support: Handle a broad range of miscellaneous legal tasks on an ad hoc basis.
Supervisory Responsibility (If applicable):
N/A
Education, Experience and Knowledge:
Essential Qualifications:
Typically requires 16+ years of related legal experience in the healthcare or life sciences sector (in-house, private practice, or regulatory agency).
Qualified Attorney/Solicitor in a relevant European jurisdiction (e.g., UK, Ireland, or Germany).
Extensive knowledge of European healthcare law, including specific expertise in Germany and at least one of the following additional jurisdictions: Ireland or the UK.
Strong working knowledge of EMA regulatory frameworks and pan-EU commercialization requirements.
Proven experience advising on advertising, promotion, and scientific exchange for prescription drugs.
Demonstrated ability to operate in "grey" areas, making tough decisions with limited information and a long-term strategic view.
Outstanding ability to effectively communicate sound legal advice to lawyers and non-lawyers alike
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in a global, growth-stage biotech company.
Prior experience interacting with management teams or regional leadership boards.
Seeking a self-starter and motivated learner with a strong work ethic and excellent interpersonal skills who is a strong communicator, enjoys working collaboratively and cross-functionally on teams, as well as independently, proactively solves problems, thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, is eager to take on new challenges.
Other:
Role is based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or Germany.
If UK-based, incumbent is expected to work from office.
Occasional work travel will be required.
About the Company
Immunocore (NASDAQ: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial-stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry’s most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions.
Focused on delivering first-in-class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.
At Immunocore, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We value the unique contributions each person brings to our team. By embracing Science, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Entrepreneurship (STRIDE), we create an environment where collaboration thrives, ideas flourish, and transformative changes happen. STRIDE represents more than just letters; it embodies our shared identity and drives our mission. We are dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies that transform patients’ lives, advancing medicine, and supporting one another in these pursuits.
Immunocore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As such, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
