Head Legal and Compliance Saudi and North Africa

Position Overview

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Head of Legal and Compliance for Saudi Arabia and North Africa to serve as a trusted legal business partner to the Country Head. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for overseeing all legal and compliance matters, including contractual negotiations, statutory obligations, and risk management, while providing expert guidance to senior leadership and cross-functional teams. Your leadership will be instrumental in shaping the legal and compliance framework for our operations in the region, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

As the Head of Legal and Compliance, your core accountabilities will include:

• Legal Advisory and Contract Management: Act as the primary legal advisor to the Country Head, providing strategic guidance on complex transactions, contractual negotiations, and statutory obligations. Independently draft, review, and negotiate high-stakes agreements while ensuring compliance with local and international laws.
• Risk Identification and Mitigation: Proactively identify legal and compliance risks associated with business activities, offering data-driven solutions to mitigate potential liabilities. Raise awareness of legal issues across the organization and ensure early legal involvement in critical decision-making processes.
• Dispute and Litigation Management: Oversee significant disputes, litigation, and regulatory investigations, making informed decisions within a broad operational framework. Collaborate with external counsel as needed to resolve legal challenges efficiently.
• Team Leadership and Development: Mentor, guide, and support junior legal counsels, paralegals, and support staff, fostering a high-performance culture within the legal and compliance function. Lead legal projects and transactions, such as licensing and divestment, with a focus on delivering measurable outcomes.
• Regulatory and Compliance Oversight: Ensure strict adherence to reporting obligations, including the timely escalation of technical complaints, adverse events, and special case scenarios related to Sandoz products. Provide expertise in key substantive areas, such as transactions, litigation, HR, and regulatory compliance.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the organization in interactions with government authorities, regulatory bodies, and other key stakeholders, advocating for the company’s interests while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Key Performance Indicators

Your success in this role will be measured by:

• Providing business-oriented legal advice that drives problem-solving and achieves desired outcomes, validated by positive feedback from stakeholders.
• Ensuring full compliance with all reporting obligations and regulatory requirements.
• Effectively prioritizing and managing a diverse and high-volume workload to meet critical deadlines.

Qualifications and Experience

To excel in this role, you will bring the following qualifications and attributes:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized institution.
• Residency in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the ability to operate seamlessly within the local business environment.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive legal and compliance experience, with a strong preference for candidates with a background in the healthcare or pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven leadership experience in managing legal and compliance teams, projects, and initiatives.
• Exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to dissect complex legal and compliance issues and provide actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated expertise in engaging with government authorities and regulatory bodies on compliance and legal matters.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, coupled with the ability to influence stakeholders and negotiate effectively.
• Resilience and adaptability in high-pressure environments, with a track record of delivering results under tight deadlines.
• A strong business acumen and the ability to partner effectively with senior leadership to align legal strategies with organizational goals.
• Professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to ethical conduct in all business dealings.
• Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in Arabic is highly advantageous.

Why Join Sandoz?

Sandoz is a global leader in biosimilar and generic medicines, dedicated to making high-quality, affordable healthcare accessible to millions worldwide. As part of our mission, we are committed to driving innovation, expanding our footprint, and creating meaningful impact in the communities we serve. By joining Sandoz, you will:

• Contribute to an organization that delivers 80% of the world’s medicines at 30% of the cost, touching the lives of over 1 billion people across 100+ countries.
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, and agile environment that values diversity of thought and fosters personal and professional growth.
• Be part of a team that is shaping the future of healthcare through strategic investments in new capabilities, production sites, and partnerships.
• Benefit from a supportive culture that rewards ambition, encourages open dialogue, and provides opportunities for career advancement.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

At Sandoz, we are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the patients and communities we serve. We believe that diverse teams drive innovation, creativity, and better business outcomes. If you are passionate about making a difference in healthcare and thrive in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment, we invite you to apply and become part of our mission to make healthcare fairer and faster for all.