HEAD OF LEGAL

Head of Legal, Compliance & PrivacyAbout the company & roleA multinational biopharmaceutical company which specialises in the development and manufacture of biosimilars as well as offering end-to-end B2B CDMO services is currently seeking a new Head of Legal, Compliance & Data Privacy to support the business, reporting directly into the CEO. This role will also sit on the Executive Committee and manage an existing team of three.Primarily, this role will be a strategic stakeholder supporting and guiding the rest of the ExCo and wider business on all key legal and regulatory issues (including compliance and privacy) as well as managing and directing the workflow of three Senior Counsels split across Spain and South America. The business has significant operations in Europe and South America but also offers services worldwide (notably across major markets in the EU, US and LATAM). The business also operates under a unique corporate structure which has afforded them the ability to remain agile, autonomous and entrepreneurial after more than a decade in operation whilst also experiencing extensive growth and support from a larger corporate entity.After a number of years, the incumbent Head of Legal is relocating for a new opportunity and the business is seeking an experienced Head of Legal/General Counsel to take over the function(s) and team.The role is primarily based in Madrid at the global headquarters (relocation assistance available and a staggered relocation option can be discussed for those coming from overseas); there will also be some travel to LATAM and elsewhere as per business need.What’s on offer?This role has substantial scope and oversight from day one, with a seat on the ExCo and direct reporting line into the CEO as well as inheriting an existing team structure (and likely further scope to hire in the short and mid-term).The function takes direct ownership over everything related to Legal as well as Compliance, Corporate Governance and (from a legal perspective) Data Privacy. The role also offers international complexity and you would be joining at a period of exciting and sustained growth within the company and the wider sector.A fully comprehensive compensation package is available for this role which will include Bonus, Long Term Incentive as well as the usual Insurances, Private Healthcare etc. Significant relocation assistance can be offered where needed. For guidance purposes only (DOE), a combination of base, bonus (circa 25%) and LTI will afford a package value in excess of €250,000.About youAs this is a senior position within the business, this role will suit those who have previously held a “Head of” position in a multinational legal function (ideally with previous oversight of Compliance and Privacy).Due to the nature of the sector, this role will suit those already operating in the pharmaceutical space OR directly related sectors (i.e. Medical Devices, Biotechnology) at minimum you would need to have both the passion for the space and an appreciation of the complex regulatory frameworks that impact this area.Fluency in Spanish is not required as the business is international and the team already has good coverage of this to native level, however in order to effectively build relationships, especially within parts of the LATAM business it’s likely you will at minimum have conversational level Spanish and a keen interest in utilising the company’s funded Spanish Course(s). For guidance purposes only, you’re likely to have in excess of 15 years of post-qualified experience with a good portion of this gained in-house in the pharmaceutical industry. Fundamentally, a pragmatic and strategic approach to legal is required here; this is a dynamic business that are used to having a highly effective Legal lead and will be expecting strong and effective decision making and advice from their Legal function.This role will require relocation to Madrid, applications are welcome from those already in Spain as well as those with experience in markets across Europe and the US who are able and willing to relocate.This is a strategic role and the business is willing to wait for the right person, however due to the importance of this role and timelines for the incumbent, candidates would ideally be available to start a new role within 3 months or less.