Head of Legal Physical Assets - Global Engineering and Real Estate

Sanofi; Lyon; Sur place; EUR 100 000 - 130 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A global biopharmaceutical company is seeking a Head of Physical Assets in Lyon to lead legal strategies for engineering projects and manage international real estate. The role requires a law degree and 10+ years of experience in relevant fields, including pharmaceutical and engineering law. You will drive operational excellence and sustainability while advising on complex CAPEX projects. The ideal candidate will have strong negotiation skills and fluency in English, along with a strategic mindset to handle multi-regional projects.

Prestations

Career development opportunities

Inclusive work environment

Focus on work-life balance

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, engineering, or real estate law with international exposure.
• Strong understanding of GMP and EHS regulations.
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to partner with stakeholders globally.

Responsabilités

• Drive legal strategy for engineering projects globally.
• Manage international property acquisitions and lease negotiations.
• Lead legal aspects of maintenance and reliability ecosystem.

Connaissances

Legal expertise

Negotiation skills

Understanding of international real estate law

Experience with CAPEX project management

Fluency in English

Formation

Law degree

Description du poste

Location: Gentilly or Lyon. Type of contract: permanent contract, full time.

About the job

A strategic business partner to Global Manufacturing & Supply, serving as the Head of Physical Assets with comprehensive responsibility for engineering projects and international real estate across Sanofi's global manufacturing network.

This role provides expert legal counsel on complex CAPEX projects, facility management, and real estate transactions while leading legal support for global engineering sustainability programs, asset optimization, and implementation of digital transformation initiatives.

The ideal candidate will combine legal expertise with strong understanding of both international engineering principles and real estate to drive operational excellence, cost optimization, and sustainable practices across Sanofi's global manufacturing operations.

Join Sanofi in one of our corporate functions and you can play a vital part in the performance of our entire business while helping to make an impact on millions around the world.

Key Responsibilities

Global Engineering & CAPEX Projects

• Drive legal strategy for engineering projects across Specialty Care, Vaccines, and GenMed GBUs globally
• Support technical transfers, new product introductions, and capacity expansion projects across all regions
• Guide engineering qualification/validation activities and technical documentation for international projects
• Advise on construction safety and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions
• Lead complex CAPEX project structuring and risk management

International Real Estate & Facility Management

• Manage global real estate portfolio strategy for manufacturing sites and facilities
• Lead international property acquisitions, dispositions, and lease negotiations
• Structure cross-border real estate transactions and joint ventures
• Guide facility management programs and infrastructure projects across regions
• Advise on land use, zoning compliance, and property development in multiple jurisdictions
• Optimize real estate portfolio to support manufacturing operations and business objectives
• Handle property tax strategies and international real estate regulatory compliance

Physical Asset Optimization & Lifecycle Management

• Lead legal aspects of maintenance and reliability ecosystem globally
• Support asset lifecycle management and optimization initiatives across the network
• Guide equipment procurement, maintenance contracts, and vendor management
• Develop strategies for asset utilization and space optimization
• Coordinate facility consolidation and rationalization projects

Engineering Sustainability & Environmental Integration

• In alignment with Head of Legal Environment and Sustainability, structure legal framework for sustainability initiatives including energy efficiency and CO2 reduction programs, sustainable facility design and construction, water management and waste reduction, green technology implementation
• Integrate environmental considerations into real estate and engineering decisions

Engineering Systems & Digital Transformation

In close collaboration with Senior Legal Counsel M&S Technology and Innovation:

• Provide legal support for manufacturing systems and automation initiatives
• Guide implementation of process automation, robotics, and equipment connectivity
• Support M&S cybersecurity and digital engineering solutions
• Advise on control systems and manufacturing execution systems (MES)

Strategic Partnerships & Complex Contracting

• Negotiate key agreements with preferred engineering suppliers and real estate partners
• Structure strategic partnerships for engineering, construction, and facility management ecosystems
• Draft and review complex engineering, construction, and real estate contracts
• Lead cost optimization and efficiency projects across physical asset portfolio
• Manage relationships with global framework agreement partners

International Coordination & Risk Management

• Coordinate legal network across multiple jurisdictions for both engineering and real estate matters
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and international standards
• Manage cross-border project risks and regulatory requirements
• Provide guidance on international construction and real estate law variations

About you

Qualifications

• Law degree with 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, engineering, or real estate law with international exposure
• Strong understanding of GMP, engineering standards, EHS regulations, and international real estate law
• Proven experience in technology contracts, construction law, and cross-border real estate transactions
• Knowledge of manufacturing systems, automation, cybersecurity frameworks, and facility management
• Demonstrated expertise in international property law and multi-jurisdictional compliance
• Experience with CAPEX project management and real estate portfolio optimization
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to partner with technical and business stakeholders globally
• Strategic mindset with proven ability to drive complex, multi-regional projects to completion
• Fluency in English required; additional languages preferred
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed

Leadership & Strategic Impact

This role requires a versatile legal professional who can effectively balance risk management with business objectives while serving as the strategic leader for all physical asset legal matters. The successful candidate will navigate the intersection of engineering, real estate, sustainability, and pharmaceutical manufacturing across multiple jurisdictions while enabling innovation, operational excellence, and cost optimization across Sanofi's global manufacturing network.

Why join us?

• Make your work count by supporting a company that brings life-changing treatments to millions — and is committed to doing right by patients, communities, and the planet.
• Drive progress from within by helping simplify, scale, and modernize how a global biopharma business delivers smarter, faster, and more sustainably.
• Support teams across science, medicine, and operations by building better systems, shaping bold strategies, and enabling innovation at speed.
• Make an impact across borders and functions, collaborating with leaders to turn complex challenges into real-world solutions.
• Advance your career through stretch roles, cross-functional moves, and development opportunities designed to match your ambition.
• Thrive in inclusive, high-performing teams where every role matters and every voice helps shape what’s next.

Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and do what’s never-been-done-before. You’ll help push boundaries, challenge convention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people’s lives? Let’s Pursue Progress and Discover Extraordinary – together.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law