Associate Counsel

Who is USP?

The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is an independent scientific organization that collaborates with the world's leading health and science experts to develop rigorous quality standards for medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients. At USP, we believe that scientific excellence is driven by a commitment to fairness, integrity, and global collaboration. This belief is embedded in our core value of Passion for Quality and is demonstrated through the contributions of more than 1,300 professionals across twenty global locations, working to strengthen the supply of safe, high-quality medicines worldwide.

At USP, we value inclusive scientific collaboration and recognize that attracting diverse expertise strengthens our ability to develop trusted public health standards. We foster an organizational culture that supports equitable access to mentorship, professional development, and leadership opportunities. Our partnerships, standards, and research reflect our belief that ensuring broad participation in scientific leadership results in stronger, more impactful outcomes for global health.

USP is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer (EEOE) and is committed to ensuring fair, merit-based selection processes that enable the best scientific minds—regardless of background—to contribute to advancing public health solutions worldwide. We provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and uphold policies that create an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

Brief Job Overview

Hands-on position to provide legal support and guidance to the organisational's business activities in India and this role involves managing a wide range of legal issues including corporate governance, contracts, regulatory compliance and litigation while working closely with business teams to mitigate risks and ensure adherence to Indian laws and regulations. This role will have administrative & functional reporting to Director Legal and Compliance-India Operations.

How will YOU create impact here at USP?

In this role at USP, you contribute to USP's public health mission of increasing equitable access to high-quality, safe medicine and improving global health through public standards and related programs. In addition, as part of our commitment to our employees, Global, People, and Culture, in partnership with the Equity Office, regularly invests in the professional development of all people managers. This includes training in inclusive management styles and other competencies necessary to ensure engaged and productive work environments.

As part of our mission to advance scientific rigor and public health standards, you will play a vital role in increasing global access to high-quality medicines through public standards and related programs. USP prioritizes scientific integrity, regulatory excellence, and evidence-based decision-making to ensure health systems worldwide can rely on strong, tested, and globally relevant quality standards.

Additionally, USP's People and Culture division, in partnership with the Equity Office, invests in leadership and workforce development to equip all employees with the skills to create high-performing, inclusive teams. This includes training in equitable management practices and tools to promote engaged, collaborative, and results-driven work environments.

The Associate Counsel -India Legal has the following responsibilities:

Legal Advisory and Compliance

 Provide legal advice on a variety of corporate and operational matters.

• Ensure the company's compliance with relevant Indian laws and regulations, including but not limited to company, customs, drugs and cosmetics, privacy, intellectual property acts etc.
• Advise on legal implications of business decisions, corporate strategies and new initiatives.
• Provide timely legal advice to internal teams on legal matters and legal risk management.
• Ensure that the organisations activities comply with Indian regulation.
• Assist in preparation of legal fillings required by regulatory authorities.

Contract Drafting and Management

• Act as the single point of contact for USP's India Contract Management system.
• Prepare contractual agreements using current research methods and a knowledge of a client's needs and ability to fulfill its requirements.
• Review contract terms and conditions to verify that they are in compliance with company policies and all applicable Indian laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with the Legal Counsels, Paralegals and functional teams and manage the Indian Contracts and Risk goals of the legal division.
• Effectively manage the Contract Management System (CMS) and act as the administrator/approver in accordance with the roles and responsibilities set out in the relevant SOPs.
• Act as a liaison between USP's Counsels and stakeholders for review and management of contracts.
• Maintain contract databases in the Company's CMS Tool, monitor contract lifecycle, determine necessity for amendments or extensions of contracts and compliance with contractual obligations, as required.
• Draft, review and negotiation of commercial contracts including but not limited to, non-disclosure agreements, service agreements, purchase agreements, and vendor contracts etc.,.
• Develop standard agreement templates for USP- India as and when required.

Dispute Resolution and Litigation Support

• Assist in managing court proceedings including managing legal documentations.
• Coordinating with external law firms.
• Providing strategic support during court proceedings.
• Liase with external counsels to ensure seamless execution of legal activities.

 General Legal Matters

• Assist in providing legal research, legal writing and support site activities;
• Aid in any other legal matters, as may be required from time to time.

 Who is USP Looking For?

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated understanding of our mission, commitment to excellence through inclusive and equitable behaviors and practices, ability to quickly build credibility with stakeholders, along with the following competencies and experience:

B.A.LL.B (Hons) or a Bachelor's degree in law and Master's degree in law

6-7 Years of experience.

Additional Desired Preferences

Desired preferences are to showcase any additional preferred levels of expertise to perform the role. Reminder: any items listed in this section are not requirements nor disqualifies for candidate consideration.

• A.LL.B (Hons) or a Bachelor's degree in law from a National Law School or a reputed law college;
• Prior experience in contract management, contract negotiation,legal drafting and writing;
• Detail oriented, good research, interpretation and analytical skills

Supervisory Responsibilities

None, this is an individual contributor role.

If yes, what is the number of direct reports and their titles?

Benefits

USP provides the benefits to protect yourself and your family today and tomorrow. From company-paid time off and comprehensive healthcare options to retirement savings, you can have peace of mind that your personal and financial well-being is protected.