Head Legal TA Immunology and CRM, International

Serve as the lead legal advisor for the Therapeutic Area (TA) and its assets, overseeing all business-related legal matters. Proactively manage legal issues by working closely with your team and collaborating with Legal Centers of Excellence both within and outside the CLS Legal Team, as appropriate. Provide strategic legal counsel on TA and asset strategies, brand plans, portfolio decisions, and related medical activities and engagements. Advise on value and access matters, management of external partners, integrations, investor relations, communications, and patient advocacy initiatives. Participate in business leadership meetings and governance boards for all matters related to the TA and its assets, as required. Partner with the Ethics, Risk, and Compliance Function to proactively identify, manage and train on potential legal and compliance risks. Ensure legal compliance with all government regulations and mandates. Contribute to investigations and support the follow-up of audit findings as needed to address potential legal or compliance concerns. Provide legal counsel and risk management for all contracts supporting TA activities. Lead the drafting and negotiation of various types of complex research, development and commercial contracts, as well as any other agreements required to meet the business needs of the TA. Partner with the Transactions Team and support evaluation and due diligence of business development and M&A opportunities as needed. Lead the advice for the company’s Alliance Management Team and legal issue management for all third-party relationships related to the TA and its assets. Lead the integration of assets and companies into International within TA scope and coordinate with all relevant stakeholders. Collaborate with commercial, regulatory, and medical teams to ensure the timely review of all promotional materials, medical resources, congress materials, public announcements, and investor relations content. Provide proactive legal counsel, identifying and addressing potential risks. Coordinate with other legal associates supporting the brand to maintain consistency. Lead and ensure alignment of brand strategy and claims management across International markets, including the management and defense of competitive claims. Drive innovation and actively contribute to new strategies supporting TA goals with significant emphasis on product launches and new ways of engagement with our customers (HCPs, Patients, HCs). Lead the team through unfamiliar territory and complexity. Pursue calculated risk-taking in an unpredictable environment with appropriate contingency planning and mitigation. Drive simplification in the function and for the business, including the appropriate and compliant use of AI. Play an active role in strengthening the International, Regional, and Country Legal Functions by leading and participating in initiatives that build departmental knowledge and capabilities across the organization. Promote collaboration and effective information exchange with Region and Country Legal, GDD, Operations, and Corporate teams. Ensure alignment with local and regional lawyers on legal matters related to assets or activities within the Therapeutic Area, in coordination with the Head Legal CLS. Attract, develop, and retain top legal talent by creating meaningful development opportunities for legal associates.

We’re a team of dedicated international lawyers united by our purpose to reimagine medicine for patients in need and our drive to achieve together. As a member of the Legal Leadership Team for Commercial, Medical and Value & Access in International at our Basel HQ you will lead a team of lawyers, providing strategic legal counsel and serving as a trusted business partner to the Immunology and CRM Therapeutic Area (TA) Leadership Team, as well as leaders in Medical Affairs, Value & Access, Development, and other key decision makers across the organization. Together with your team, you will oversee Therapeutic Area assets and related alliances across the Development and Commercialization continuum. By staying informed of the latest developments, you will advise on all critical legal and risk management issues that could influence both the immediate and long-term success and reputation of the business and Novartis.

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree, along with a prior (Prof.) Bachelor’s degree

• 10+ years’ experience providing legal counsel within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with a strong track record in product launches

• Comprehensive knowledge of legal issues relevant to the pharma/biotech sector, including regulatory, commercial, development, medical and AI/digital/social media and data privacy matters

• Proven transactional experience in BD&L; M&A; and Integrations is a plus

• Demonstrated people leadership in managing, developing and coaching teams, both directly and indirectly

• Exceptional negotiation and conflict management abilities

• Fluent in both written and spoken English