Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel (m/f/d)

Overview

Acts as a strategic Legal & Compliance Business Partner, supporting and driving the effective execution of business strategies by managing legal, compliance, and reputational risks in a highly regulated environment. Provides solution-oriented legal advice to senior stakeholders, leads complex legal projects and transactions, negotiates key contracts, and oversees litigation and investigations. Ensures the robust implementation of Ethics, Risk & Compliance programs while fostering a culture of integrity and accountability across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Business Partnering: Serve as a trusted legal and compliance advisor to the Country Head and senior management on all relevant business activities, including complex contractual arrangements, strategic initiatives, and regulatory matters. Proactively contribute to business decision-making by providing pragmatic, solution-oriented legal advice aligned with business objectives and risk appetite.
• Legal Advisory & Contracting: Independently draft, review, and negotiate complex agreements (e.g. commercial, distribution, licensing, service, and cooperation agreements). Deliver high-quality, context-driven legal advice across topics including pharmaceutical law, competition law, and compliance matters. Design and deliver tailored legal and compliance trainings to internal stakeholders.
• Risk Management & Compliance Leadership: Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and compliance risks, ensuring early involvement of Legal & Compliance in key business initiatives. Conduct robust risk assessments and provide clear, actionable recommendations to support management decision-making. Foster a strong culture of integrity and compliance by raising awareness of legal and ethical risks across the organization.
• Disputes, Investigations & Audits: Lead and manage significant litigation, disputes, regulatory proceedings, and internal/external investigations. Oversee and support internal audits and compliance reviews, ensuring appropriate remediation measures are implemented. Make sound, independent decisions within a complex and evolving legal framework.
• Leadership & Team Development: Guide, coach, and support junior legal colleagues, paralegals, and compliance support staff. Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the Legal & Compliance function. Act as a role model for ethical behavior and professional excellence.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Provide deep expertise in one or more key areas such as pharmaceutical law, regulatory law, compliance, or litigation. Monitor relevant legal and regulatory developments and ensure their effective implementation within the organization.
• Compliance & Reporting Obligations: Ensure compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory reporting requirements, including timely reporting of technical complaints, adverse events, and special case scenarios related to Sandoz products (within 24 hours where required). Oversight of compliant distribution of marketing samples (where applicable).

Qualifications

• A degree in Law (or equivalent qualification) is required.
• Several years of relevant professional experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department, ideally within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.
• Proven experience in handling complex legal matters and compliance issues.
• Experience in highly regulated environments and cross-functional collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and drive initiatives independently.
• Fluency in oral and written English and German is necessary.

What you’ll receive

• Employee-focused environment with opportunities for personal growth; access to learning platforms.
• Company benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, holiday allowance, pension schemes, and parental leave.