Senior Legal Counsel

Company: Novartis
Apply for the Senior Legal Counsel
Location: London
Job Description:

Overview

In this role you partner with senior business leaders to structure, negotiate, and execute complex licensing, collaboration, and strategic transactions in a global life sciences context. You will lead legal workstreams, provide guidance through due diligence and closing, and mitigate risks while shaping the company’s portfolio strategy. The role sits at the intersection of law, business insight, and cross-functional collaboration in an international environment. You will help drive growth-driven deals that support Novartis’ mission in healthcare.

Pay / Benefits

  • insurance plans
  • retirement plans
  • wellbeing resources
  • global recognition programs
  • flexible and hybrid working options
  • minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave

Responsibilities

  • Lead legal workstreams for strategic business development and licensing transactions
  • Structure, negotiate, and draft complex commercial and transactional agreements
  • Provide legal guidance throughout due diligence, signing, closing, and integration activities
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate legal, regulatory, and transaction-related risks
  • Partner with business, strategy, finance, tax, and people teams to deliver deal objectives
  • Advise senior stakeholders on legal and commercial considerations impacting transactions
  • Manage external counsel and contribute to continuous improvement of legal processes

Key requirements

  • Qualified lawyer with significant experience in complex corporate, commercial, or life sciences transactions
  • Proven expertise negotiating and drafting licensing, collaboration, and strategic transaction agreements
  • Strong experience leading legal aspects of transactions within the life sciences industry
  • Ability to analyze complex legal issues and deliver practical, business-focused solutions
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills within cross-functional and international environments
  • Fluent English with exceptional legal drafting, communication, and negotiation skills
  • stakeholder management
  • communication
  • negotiation
  • licensing agreements
  • collaboration agreements
  • strategic transactions (M&A, alliances)

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Posted: October 10th, 2026