About USP
The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is an independent scientific organization dedicated to setting global quality standards for medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients. USP works with leading global experts to ensure the availability of safe and high-quality medicines worldwide. With a workforce of over 1,300 professionals across 20 global locations, USP emphasizes fairness, integrity, and scientific collaboration as its core values. It fosters diversity and inclusion, believing that diverse expertise enhances public health outcomes. USP is committed to equal employment opportunities and supports inclusive growth by providing mentorship, training, and leadership opportunities for all employees.
Job Overview
This position is a hands-on legal role that provides comprehensive legal support to USP’s business operations in India. The Associate Counsel will be responsible for managing legal issues related to corporate governance, contracts, compliance, and litigation. The role requires close collaboration with business teams to mitigate risks and ensure full compliance with Indian laws and regulations. Reporting to the Director Legal and Compliance – India Operations, this role is central to supporting USP’s mission by ensuring that legal frameworks support organizational goals while adhering to high ethical and professional standards.
Impact at USP
The selected candidate will directly contribute to USP’s mission of advancing global health by ensuring equitable access to safe, high-quality medicines. This role supports USP’s vision of upholding scientific integrity and strong regulatory frameworks. As part of USP’s commitment to employee development, the organization invests in training programs focused on inclusive leadership, effective team collaboration, and result-driven work environments. By safeguarding legal compliance, the Associate Counsel will play a key role in enabling USP’s global programs and partnerships to function smoothly and responsibly.
Legal Advisory and Compliance
The Associate Counsel will provide expert legal advice on various corporate and operational matters. This includes ensuring strict compliance with Indian laws and regulations such as company law, intellectual property, privacy, customs, and drugs and cosmetics regulations. The role involves advising internal teams on legal risks, guiding business strategies, and assisting with filings required by regulatory authorities. By providing timely and practical legal solutions, the Associate Counsel helps ensure that USP’s business activities in India are fully compliant, mitigating risks while supporting strategic decision-making.
Contract Drafting and Management
This role requires the Associate Counsel to manage USP India’s contract system as the primary point of contact. Responsibilities include drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various commercial contracts such as non-disclosure agreements, service agreements, purchase agreements, and vendor contracts. The Associate Counsel will also oversee the Contract Management System (CMS), ensuring proper maintenance of contract records, lifecycle monitoring, and compliance tracking. Developing standardized agreement templates and coordinating with internal stakeholders and external counsel are also integral parts of this responsibility.
Dispute Resolution and Litigation Support
The Associate Counsel will support the organization in managing litigation and dispute resolution matters. This includes preparing legal documentation, coordinating with external law firms, and providing strategic inputs during court proceedings. The role also involves liaising with external counsel to ensure smooth handling of legal cases. By effectively managing disputes, the Associate Counsel ensures that USP’s interests are protected while maintaining ethical and lawful practices.
General Legal Matters
Apart from core responsibilities, the Associate Counsel will assist with legal research, writing, and general legal support as required. This includes addressing any ad hoc legal matters that arise in the course of USP’s operations. The role is highly dynamic, requiring flexibility, strong analytical skills, and the ability to provide practical legal solutions to diverse organizational challenges.
Qualifications and Skills
The ideal candidate should hold a B.A. LL.B (Hons) or Bachelor’s degree in law, with a Master’s degree in law preferred. They must have 6-7 years of relevant experience, preferably in contract management, negotiation, and legal drafting. Candidates with a degree from a National Law School or a reputed law college will be preferred. Strong research, analytical, and interpretation skills are essential to excel in this role.
Benefits
USP offers comprehensive benefits to ensure the well-being of its employees and their families. These include company-paid time off, healthcare options, retirement savings plans, and various resources to support both personal and professional growth. The organization prioritizes employee development and provides ample opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
