For our customer, a multinational, listed pharmaceutical group with a regional EMEA headoffice located in the Zurich area, we are seeking the Head Legal & Compliance. The job description reads as follows (with minor adjustments from us):

Responsibilities:

• Manage the group’s Legal & Compliance function within the region EMEA, and provide professional, pro-active advice and support to the Board of Directors, senior management and staff at the group’s regional EMEA headoffice and all its affiliates across EMEA on a wide range of commercial and strategic legal issues
• Support the business strategy and operations, while acting as trusted professional and value adding business partner
• Reporting to the Head of Region EMEA, with a dotted line to the group General Counsel
• Provide cross-functional Legal & Compliance support, all in compliance with statutory laws and regulations, company policies and industry standards. Counsel the group’s regional sales companies especially when dealing with customers, suppliers, financial institutions, and consultants
• Advise on M&A transactions, joint-ventures and other major contracts and projects
• Prepare, review and negotiate all types of contracts and other legally relevant documents, incl. relevant standards, templates and policies
• Support the Board and senior management regarding risk topics; risk assessment of contracts and projects
• Responsible for, and provide end-to-end advice on, corporate governance, corporate housekeeping and contract management, incl. corporate secretary with respect to assigned legal entities
• Represent the group towards external authorities, trade associations and other organizations
• Manage external claims, litigations and arbitrations, with a strategic approach to the underlying dispute
• Select, instruct and monitor external lawyers and other consultants
• Manage and support Legal & Compliance audits
• Provide ad hoc legal advice to the Board and senior management at the regional EMEA headoffice and local affiliates
• Monitor legislation and jurisdiction within the EMEA region that could affect the group’s operations, and propose and implement relevant action and policies to ensure compliance therewith
• Respect and uphold the group’s values and commitment

Requirements:

• Law degree from a continental European university and bar exam; LL.M., MBA or similar degrees would be a plus
• Fluency in English; any additional European language would be a plus
• At least 6 years experience in Legal & Compliance, gained in-house (ideally at a multinational Pharma group) or at a renowned, international law firm advising multinational Pharma clients; experience in the pharmaceutical industry is a must
• Leadership experience would be a plus
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills
• Ability to analyse business requirements from a Legal & Compliance perspective and transform into actions and guidelines
• Experience in managing a hard workload with conflicting priorities
• Ability to work in an international setting; strong awareness of cultural differences
• Loyalty, integrity and a mature personality
• Ability to apply high ethical standards and protect the higher interests of the organization
• Self-driven, self-motivated, assertive, persistent and pragmatic
• Ability to travel (up to 30%)

Place of work: Zurich area