Head of Legal department Centre for Genomic Regulation

Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST); Barcelona; Presencial; EUR 70.000 - 90.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading research institute located in Barcelona is seeking a qualified Head of the Legal Department. This strategic role involves overseeing legal services, advising on compliance, and managing institutional agreements. Candidates should have a law degree and at least five years of relevant experience, preferably in biomedical sectors. Fluency in English, Spanish, and Catalan is required. The position offers a permanent contract with competitive salary and benefits.

Servicios

Flexible working hours

Extended vacation period

Professional development opportunities

Formación

• Minimum five years of experience in a similar position.
• Experience in the biomedical/pharma fields will be an asset.
• Training in public procurement and personal data protection will be an advantage.

Responsabilidades

• Providing legal advice to management and administration.
• Legal drafting and review of institutional agreements.
• Coordination and leadership of the Compliance program.
• Managing public procurement processes and legal queries.

Conocimientos

Advanced legal judgment

Ability to operate in dynamic environments

Organizational and planning skills

Fluency in English

Fluency in Spanish

Fluency in Catalan

Educación

Bachelor's degree in law

Herramientas

MS Office

Legal databases

Descripción del empleo

The Institute

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute’s commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).

Please, check out our Recruitment Policy :

The role

We are seeking a highly qualified and experienced legal professional to assume the position of Head of the Legal Department. This is a strategic leadership role, central to ensuring that the Institute’s operations and decision-making processes align with the applicable legal and regulatory frameworks at both national and international levels.

Reporting directly to the Administrative Director, the Head of the Legal Department will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all legal services within the organisation. This includes providing authoritative legal advice across a broad range of matters, including contract negotiation and drafting, institutional governance, regulatory compliance, public procurement, and personal data protection.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the success of a leading international research institute by ensuring legal integrity, supporting strategic partnerships, and enabling sound governance. The successful candidate will demonstrate a high level of professional integrity, sound legal judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, interdisciplinary, and international environment.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Providing legal advice to the Management bodies, Administration and Research areas on the current regulations in the different legal fields, considering the legal framework for the public sector and foundations.
• Legal drafting and review of institutional and strategic agreements and contracts to be signed with other institutions at national and international level.
• Development and implementation of policies, codes and procedures of the centre and the Legal department in accordance with applicable laws.
• Coordination and leadership of the Compliance program of the Institute. This role is responsible for acting as the representative of the Compliance Committee before our governing body, members and collaborators of CRG, ensuring regulatory compliance, fostering a culture of ethical and legal conduct, safeguarding confidentiality, liaising with judicial authorities when required, and overseeing the CRG Internal Information System.
• Provision of legal advice on the public procurement processes of the institute, drafting of the tendering documentation of the institute, resolution of legal queries and participation in the Contracting Board.
• Providing legal advice on Personal Data Protection and update of legal documentation.
• Mergers & Acquisitions operations, notarization and legal related processes.
• Drafting legal action documents, administrative appeals and legal statements in relation to general audits of the centre and its research projects. Management of court proceedings.
• Legal proceedings with official bodies, Board of Trustees and stakeholders.
• Management of corporate insurance policies and related processes.
• Internal organization of tasks of the team, coordination of services with law firms and budgetary control of the department.

About the department

The mission of the Legal Department is to provide legal advice at the CRG, ensuring compliance with current regulations. The services offered by the Legal Department include the legal advice on contracts and agreements between CRG and other institutions, monitoring the legislative changes, legal advice on Public Procurement and on Personal Data Protection, drafting legal action documents and pleadings, execution of legal procedures with official bodies and taking over the insurance policies of the centre. The department is made up of two legal officers, the Head of the Department and has administrative support.

Whom we would like to hire

Professional experience

Must Have

Minimum five years of experience in a similar position.

Experience in the biomedical / pharma fields will be an asset.

Desirable but not required / Nice to have

Holding an additional university degree or master will be a plus.

Training in public procurement and personal data protection will be an advantage.

Education and training

Bachelor’s degree in law.

Languages

Advanced level of English, Spanish and Catalan, spoken and written.

Technical skills

Advanced user of MS Office.

User of legal databases.

Competences

Used to work in dynamic environments.

High capacity for organization and planning.

Used to work in coordination with other areas and in transversal projects.

Ability to manage and prioritize the work of the team and work under pressure.

Practical approach to problem solving.

Results-oriented.

The Offer – Working Conditions

Contract duration : Permanent position.

Estimated annual gross salary : Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales.

Target start date : October 2025.

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section. The offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.

Application Procedure

All applications must include :

• A motivation letter addressed to Alicia Llamas, Head of Finance (Interim Administrative Director) and Jaume Bacardit, future Administrative Director – joining October 1, 2025.
• A complete CV including contact details.
• Contact details of two referees.

All applications must be addressed to Alicia Llamas and Jaume Bacardit and be submitted online on the CRG Career site –

Selection Process

• Pre-selection : The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected on the candidates CVS. It will be merit-based.
• Interview : Preselected candidates will be interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and a selection panel if required.
• Offer Letter : Once the successful candidate is identified the People department will send a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary, working conditions, among other important details.
• Deadline : The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is appointed.
• Suggestions : The CRG believes in ongoing improvement and promotes a culture of feedback. This is one of the reasons we have in place, at your disposal as a candidate, a mechanism to gather your suggestions / complaints concerning your candidate experience in our recruitment processes. Your feedback really matters to us in our aim at creating a positive candidate journey. You can make a difference and help us improve by letting us know your suggestions through the following form.