Head - Legal & Compliance

About The Company

A leading multinational pharmaceutical organization operating in India, focused on delivering innovative healthcare solutions. The company maintains strong governance and compliance standards while driving business growth in a complex regulatory environment.

Position Overview

The Head of Legal & Compliance serves as a strategic partner to the local leadership team, driving business success through robust legal, compliance, data protection, and governance practices. This role manages all legal activities for the Operating Unit, mitigates risks, and provides practical, business-focused guidance aligned with local, regional, and corporate priorities. The position reports directly to the Managing Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with local leadership to provide strategic legal and compliance guidance, contributing to business decisions.
• Deliver comprehensive legal support across business functions, including negotiation of complex commercial agreements and management of disputes and litigation.
• Collaborate with regional and corporate Legal & Compliance teams to support centrally managed initiatives such as intellectual property and sourcing support.
• Lead Legal & Compliance projects within the Operating Unit and contribute to regional initiatives across IMETA.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel to ensure effective and efficient legal support.
• Develop and implement governance frameworks, policies, and standard operating procedures aligned with local regulations and regional standards.
• Monitor emerging legal, regulatory, compliance, and business developments to identify risks and opportunities.
• Serve as the Data Protection Officer, partnering with the Regional DPO to implement data privacy and protection programs.
• Champion the Compliance & Integrity program by identifying compliance risks and ensuring initiatives reflect country-specific legal and cultural requirements.
• Represent Compliance & Integrity in local leadership forums, fostering a culture of ethics, transparency, and accountability.
• Support early identification, reporting, and escalation of compliance concerns to mitigate risk.
• Represent the organization in relevant industry associations, working groups, and external engagements.
• Lead local data protection and AI governance responsibilities, including regulatory registrations and alignment with regional governance frameworks.
  
  

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Education: Degree-level education in law; LLM preferred; bar admission (qualified lawyer).
• Experience: Minimum 8-10 years in a global corporate environment, preferably within pharmaceutical MNCs or related sectors such as medical devices, consumer, or OTC.
• Leadership: Proven ability to influence local leadership and manage external counsel; experience reporting to senior executives.
• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of commercial law and regulations relevant to the pharmaceutical industry; advanced negotiation skills; expertise in data protection and AI governance.
• Soft Skills: High integrity and ethics; strong verbal and interpersonal skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively; business acumen; agility; process orientation; communication and influence; project oversight; courage to speak up; high emotional intelligence; presentation skills; strategic integration; professional confidence; openness to shared learning; risk-adjusted decision-making; analytical rigor; gravitas and trust-building; persistence as an independent advisor.
  
  

Why Consider this Opportunity

• Lead legal and compliance strategy for a major pharmaceutical Operating Unit in India, reporting directly to the Managing Director.
• Drive governance and compliance excellence in a complex, regulated environment with significant business impact.
• Engage in high-visibility initiatives including data protection and AI governance at local and regional levels.
• Collaborate across functions and regions, influencing corporate priorities and contributing to regional compliance programs.
• Represent the organization in industry forums, enhancing professional stature and external relationships.