Head of Legal (m/w/d)

Gauteng, South Africa

Established in 1836, Acino is a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Zurich, with a clear focus on selected markets in the Middle East, Africa, the CIS Region and Latin America. With over 3,000 people across 90 countries, we deliver quality pharmaceuticals to promote affordable healthcare in these emerging markets and leverage our high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and network to supply leading companies through contract manufacturing and out-licensing.

The Position

The Role

As a Head of Legal, you will advise the Africa organisation on all matters of law relevant to the conduct of an international pharmaceutical business including, without limitation, advice on corporate and commercial matters, pharmaceutical industry specific laws and regulations, and legal support to all functions.

Your Opportunities

• Supervision of the development of laws and regulations in the Africa region to ensure on-going legal compliance to relevant Acts, Regulations, Guidelines and Codes;
• Support and assist day to day business operations in region;
• Provide proactive legal advice in all areas of law and regulation, with prioritization on goals and objectives of the region;
• Drafting, maintenance, trainings and implementation of regional legal policies and processes;
• Assistance on creating new legal entities or representative/technical scientific offices in Africa , i.e. establishment and management of legal support for any newly established entities, including creation of relevant templates, forms;
• Legal support to Africa business development projects, such as acquisitions and in-licensing of products;
• Drafting commercial agreements, including without limitation, distribution agreements, promotional services agreements, manufacture and supply agreements, market research agreements and regulatory services agreements;
• Maintaining a database for contracts (including the implementation of the new global contract life cycle management system in the Africa region) and a database for corporate documentation of all Africa legal entities;
• Managing Africa litigation on behalf of the company;
• Leading and managing external counsel;
• Develop and maintain relevant contract templates and legal guidelines;
• Managing and mitigating legal risks;
• Coordinating and reporting on all Legal risk;
• Manage legal affairs relating to third party distributors, with regards to the various existing and future organizational models;
• Monitor, anticipate and report changes to the applicable legislation that are of direct or indirect interest of the organization;
• Leading and actively developing junior team member(s), currently one legal counsel is reporting into the role;
• Regular reporting to Acino Chief Legal Officer on legal matters of the Africa region.

Who You Are

• South African trained lawyer holding a legal degree (minimum Bachelor with additional relevant qualifications or, preferred, Master of Law) from a reputable university, additional post-graduate degrees in legal or economic topics are a plus;
• Should have at least 15 years of professional working experience as an in-house counsel working on relevant topics or as an attorney with a reputable law firm focusing on advising clients in the healthcare industry;
• Must have solid experience working in Africa for a local / preferably international business in the healthcare industry, including solid experience with industry specific M&A and in-licensing projects. Must have good working knowledge on pharmaceutical industry related laws and regulations and broad experience in drafting and negotiating pharmaceutical industry specific contracts is needed.
• Should be prepared to travel internationally;
• Excellent oral and written command of the English language, including advanced contract drafting skills;
• Experience with French West Africa operations and French language skills will be a plus;
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to pro-actively develop the department’s structure and operating model in line with future trends;
• Embodies our Acino Values & Behaviours in all internal and external interactions;
• People skills – highly adapted interpersonal skills;
• Problem solving analysis skills and can-do attitude;
• Priority setting – initiative and follow through;
• Time management and deadline driven;
• Thorough and detail oriented;
• Agile and easily adaptable;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Proven ability to cooperate effectively as a member of cross functional or cross-regional teams.

We Are Acino

At Acino, we push the boundaries to deliver high-quality pharmaceutical products that improve patients’ lives. Driven by our collective purpose to provide access to medicines to those in need, our strength lies in our unique expertise and presence in emerging and high-growth markets. We are proud to be challenging the status quo in the pharmaceutical industry, always looking ahead to the future with an open mind.

Top Employer 2024 Certified Excellence in Employee Conditions

We value courage, commitment, trust, and empathy and provide an environment that supports initiative and effort. With our ‘hands-on’ mentality, short communication channels and quick decision-making we deliver sustainable results for our customers, partners and employees. With passion, commitment and dedication, the role you start with at Acino will evolve and change to so much greater.

Join one of the world’s fastest growing pharmaceutical companies and be part of our growth story.

Acino is an Equal Opportunity Employer.