Country Legal & Compliance Counsel DACH

PIERRE FABRE; Deutschland; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Two days remote work per week

Pension scheme with strong employer %,

Staff shop for dermocosmetics

Skin screenings

High-quality work equipment

Coaching and training programs

Job summary

Laboratoires Pierre Fabre is seeking a Country Legal & Compliance Counsel to join our Group Legal Direction, supporting Germany, Austria and Switzerland. You will deploy the global legal strategy locally, support sustainable growth, protect innovation, and uphold the highest standards of business ethics with pragmatic, solution-oriented advice.

The role covers legal, ethics and compliance at country level within a highly regulated pharma and cosmetics environment; you will draft, review and

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in business law (Master 2 or equivalent).
• 4–7 years in a legal department or law firm.
• Knowledge of healthcare compliance and business law.
• Experience in risk management and compliance.
• Fluent German and English.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to country management on governance and commercial operations.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage commercial and operational agreements.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks; escalate issues to Line Manager.
• Manage disputes and coordinate with external counsel.
• Support ethics and compliance program; deliver training.
• Monitor legal developments and advise on impact.
• Lead investigations into alleged violations.

Skills

Fluent German

Fluent English

Project management

Negotiation

Risk management

Education

Master's degree in Business Law

German Staatsexamen (2nd)

Job description

Who we are?

Laboratoires Pierre Fabre employs more than 10 000 people in 41 countries. The company's products can be found in all areas of the healthcare sector, from prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines to dermo-cosmetics.

Your mission

About the Role

We are looking for a Country Legal & Compliance Counsel to join our Group Legal Direction, supporting our business operations across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Acting as a trusted business partner, you will deploy the global legal strategy locally, support sustainable growth, protect innovation, and uphold the highest standards of business ethics by providing pragmatic, solution-oriented advice. You will be responsible for legal, ethics, and compliance activities at country level within a highly regulated environment (Pharma & Cosmetics).

Key Responsibilities

As a Legal Counsel

• Provide legal advice and support to country management and business functions on corporate governance, commercial operations, strategic projects, compliance, disputes, and litigation risks.
• Act as legal partner for the country organization, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Group policies, and strategic objectives.
• Assess and manage legal risks relating to strategic, complex, high-value, or sensitive matters, providing risk-based recommendations.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a wide range of commercial and operational agreements.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks, escalating key issues to the Line Manager.
• Manage disputes and litigation matters, coordinating with Group Legal Direction and external counsel.
• Support selection and management of external legal counsels; contribute to local legal budget management.
• Monitor legal/case-law developments and advise the business on their impact.
• Promote legal awareness through training and guidance across the organization.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Legal function, harmonizing practices and tools.

As a Compliance Counsel

• Support, maintain, and continuously improve the local Ethics & Compliance Program.
• Identify, assess, and monitor compliance risks; develop and implement corrective action plans.
• Coordinate with key stakeholders (Legal, HR, Internal Audit, Internal Control, Risk Management, Group Compliance).
• Ensure compliance issues are appropriately evaluated, investigated, and resolved.
• Lead or coordinate investigations into alleged violations of laws, regulations, or internal policies.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the compliance program and recommend enhancements.
• Develop and deliver compliance communications, awareness initiatives, and training programs.
• Provide regular reporting and strategic advice to senior management on compliance matters.

Who you are?

Requirements

• A postgraduate degree in business law (equivalent to a Master's 2 degree or German Staatsexamen 2nd).
• At least 4-7 years' experience in a legal department and/or having practiced at a law firm or company, ideally in the pharmaceutical or cosmetics sectors.
• Knowledge of healthcare compliance and business law (antitrust, anti-corruption, advertising, pharma self-regulation, IP, commercial law, civil law, distribution law, data privacy).
• Proven experience in risk management and compliance.
• Strong prioritization, organization, and decision-making skills.
• Strong stakeholder communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to handle complex matters with autonomy and teamwork.
• Solid business acumen and pragmatic problem-solving approach.
• Digital proficiency and project management capabilities.
• Fluent German and English required.
• Knowledge of French is an advantage.

Benefits

• An attractive and secure role at a forward-thinking pharmaceutical company based on the Pierre Fabre Foundation.
• Two days of remote working per week, if desired.
• An attractive range of additional benefits (Jobrad, a pension scheme that goes well beyond a 15 % employer contribution, staff shop for our dermo-cosmetic products, free skin screenings etc.).
• High-quality work equipment, including height-adjustable desks in an open-plan office.
• Ongoing support through targeted coaching and training programmes.
• A dynamic team in which trust, enjoyment of work and a spirit of camaraderie play a major role.

We are convinced that diversity is a source of fulfilment, social balance and complementarity for our employees, which is why our offers are open to all, without restriction.