Head Legal, Germany (m/f/d)

DE14 (FCRS = DE014) Novartis Pharma GmbH; München; Hybrid; EUR 155,000 - 233,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Global recognition programs

Job summary

Novartis Pharma GmbH in Munich or Nuremberg seeks a Legal Head Germany to shape the legal strategy for a leading market. You will lead a high‑performing team of legal professionals and advise senior business leaders on complex commercial, corporate, and regulatory matters.

This senior role offers global exposure, cross‑border governance, and a hybrid working model with a strong emphasis on risk management and sustainable growth.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Law and permission to practice in Germany.

Responsibilities

• Lead the legal strategy for Germany aligned with business priorities.
• Advise senior leaders on complex legal and strategic matters.
• Oversee legal support across intellectual property, competition, privacy, and pharmaceutical law.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing legal team in Germany.
• Anticipate legal developments and translate regulations into practical guidance.
• Manage significant litigation matters, investigations, and enterprise legal risk exposure.
• Lead corporate governance activities and oversee external counsel and budgets.
• Contribute to Germany and International Leadership Teams for legal excellence.

Skills

Legal leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Advanced law degree

Tools

IP/Pharma law

Corporate governance

Job description

Salary Range

€155,300.00 - €232,900.00 (Band Level 8)

Job Title, Location, and Summary (#LI-Hybrid)

Location: Munich, Germany or Nuremberg, Germany.

As Legal Head Germany, you will have a unique opportunity to shape the legal strategy of one of Novartis' most important markets while helping bring innovative medicines to patients. This is a highly visible leadership role where your legal expertise, business acumen, and ability to influence senior stakeholders will directly impact strategic decisions across the organization. Leading a talented team of legal professionals, you will serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders, navigate complex legal challenges, foster a culture of smart risk-taking, and help drive sustainable growth in a dynamic and highly regulated industry. If you are energized by leading high‑performing teams, operating at the forefront of healthcare innovation, and making a meaningful difference for patients, we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the legal strategy for Novartis Germany in alignment with business priorities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on complex legal and strategic matters.
• Oversee legal support across key areas including intellectual property, competition, privacy, and pharmaceutical law.
• Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing legal team across Germany.
• Anticipate legal developments and translate emerging regulations into practical business guidance.
• Manage significant litigation matters, investigations, and enterprise legal risk exposure.
• Lead corporate governance activities and oversee external legal counsel and budgets.
• Contribute as a member of Germany and International Leadership Teams, driving enterprise‑wide legal excellence.

Essential Requirements

• Advanced degree in Law and qualification to practice law (preferably admitted to the bar in Germany).
• Significant post‑qualification legal experience within a multinational organization, leading law firm, or both.
• International experience within a multinational organization and exposure to global leadership environments.
• Strong expertise across commercial, corporate, compliance, and regulatory legal matters.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and contribute to strategic business decisions.
• Excellent judgment with a pragmatic, risk‑based approach to solving complex legal challenges.
• Fluent written and spoken German and English, with outstanding communication and negotiation skills.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience providing legal leadership within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing high‑performing legal teams.

Benefits & Rewards

At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together – and rewarding the people who make it happen.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: EUR 152.000 - 228.000

The base salary offered is determined based on gender‑neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives.

We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs.

In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance‑based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.

Long‑term equity awards granted at group level may also be part of your package.

Further details will be provided during the application process.

Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf

Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable.

A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Adjustments for Applicants with Disabilities: The law provides for severely disabled / equal applicants the opportunity to involve the local representative body for disabled employees (SBV) in the application process. If you would like to request this, please let us know in advance as a note on your CV.

Skills Desired

• Adaptability
• Business Acumen
• Business Law
• Change Leadership
• Critical Thinking
• Curious Mindset
• Decision Making
• Leadership Agility
• Leadership Team Development
• Leading by Influence
• Legal Experience
• Negotiation
• Persuasion
• Proactive Planning
• Problem Solving
• Relationship Building
• Stakeholder Management
• Stakeholder Participation
• Strategic Thinking
• Strategy Development

Company Culture

Improving the lives of people living with disease takes more than innovative science.

It takes a focus on the needs of people and a community committed to meeting them.

It takes a team of people like you.

Working together.

Learning together.

Thriving together.

Discover how you can join us in changing people’s lives.

In the context of China Cross‑Border Data Transfer (CBDT) policy, if you need to apply for a position in China, please go to the local Recruiting System TaleNov.