Director/Senior Director, Commercial Counsel

Axsome Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company leading a new era in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) conditions. We deliver scientific breakthroughs by identifying critical gaps in care and develop differentiated products with a focus on novel mechanisms of action that enable meaningful advancements in patient outcomes. Our industry-leading neuroscience portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for major depressive disorder, agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine, as well as multiple novel product candidates addressing a broad range of serious neurological and psychiatric conditions that impact over 150 million people in the United States. Together, we are on a mission to solve some of the brain’s biggest problems so patients and their loved ones can flourish. For more information, please visit us at www.axsome.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

About This Role:

Axsome Therapeutics is seeking a Director/Senior Director, Commercial Counsel to serve as a key business partner to functions involved in the commercialization of Axsome’s products. This role will also be a member of Axsome’s Promotional Review Committee, review and negotiate contracts, and collaborate with other members of the Legal & Compliance Team to ensure alignment and execution of the team’s mission and business goals. This position reports to an Executive Director, Legal, who reports to the General Counsel.

This role is based at Axsome’s HQ in New York City with an on-site requirement of at least three days per week. We are unable to consider candidates who are looking for fully remote roles. 

Job Responsibilities and Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as brand attorney and legal business partner, providing legal advice and strategic guidance on a broad set of healthcare and general corporate matters in support of the Commercial department, including by advising Marketing, Sales, Market Access, and other functions within the Commercial organization.
• Counsel on appropriate communications about our products and relationships with external stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, patients, academic institutions and payors.
• Participate on the medical, legal, and regulatory review committees for promotional and medical materials, providing legal feedback on advertising, promotional and educational materials submitted for review.
• Support Market Access team by providing strategic legal counseling and contract review.
• Support planning and execution of pre-launch and launch activities.
• Work with business unit personnel to review and negotiate a wide range of agreements.
• Keep informed of new laws, regulations, and industry trends affecting the organization and assist with the development of policies and training as needed.
• Collaborate with other members of Legal & Compliance Team to share knowledge and support business.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements / Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and admission to New York Bar or ability to obtain admission.
• 6-8+ years of legal experience in the pharmaceutical industry at a law firm and/or in an in-house legal department.
• Ability to work on-site Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. We are unable to consider candidates who are looking for fully remote roles.

Experience and Knowledge

• Prior experience advising on pharmaceutical advertising and promotional matters at a law firm or as a member of an in-house legal department of a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company, including participation in promotional and medical review processes.
• Strong base of knowledge and experience advising clients on laws and regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry, including FDA regulations, False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, OIG guidance, the PhRMA Code, state and federal data privacy laws, and product liability laws.
• Comfort serving on cross-functional teams.
• Strong communications skills.
• Experience supporting market access teams preferred.

Salary and Benefits:

The anticipated salary range for this role is $245,000 - $285,000. The salary offer will be based on a variety of factors, including experience, qualifications, internal equity and location. Axsome offers a competitive employment package that includes an annual bonus, significant equity and a generous benefits package.

Axsome is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

Axsome Therapeutics does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or third-party recruitment agencies and will not pay placement fees for unsolicited candidates that are sent to hiring managers, the HR team or other Axsome team members. Only approved vendors who have been explicitly asked to support a specific search will receive access to our Applicant Tracking System to submit candidates for consideration.