Head of Legal Transactions

Ipsen Pharma (SAS); Savigny-sur-Seille; Sur place; EUR 100 000 - 150 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading biopharmaceutical company is seeking a Head of Legal Transactions to provide legal leadership across global partnerships and corporate legal matters. This role requires a law degree and over 10 years of experience in transactional law, particularly in the life sciences sector. The candidate will oversee the negotiation of complex agreements, manage legal risks, and support business growth initiatives. Fluency in English is essential, with a preference for additional language skills. The position is located in Savigny-sur-Seille, France.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of legal experience in transactional law, especially in BD&L and M&A.
• In-house experience or equivalent private practice in life sciences.
• Fluency in English is essential; French is advantageous.

Responsabilités

• Serve as legal lead for strategic alliances and transactions.
• Oversee drafting and negotiation of complex agreements.
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance and risk management.

Connaissances

Fluency in English

Legal expertise in transactional structuring

Negotiation skills

Formation

Law degree (LLB, LLM)

Admitted to NY and French Bar

Description du poste

Title: Head of Legal Transactions

Company: Ipsen Pharma (SAS)

About Ipsen:

Ipsen is a mid-sized global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on transformative medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. Supported by nearly 100 years of development experience, with global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K, we tackle areas of high unmet medical need through research and innovation.

Our passionate teams in more than 40 countries are focused on what matters and endeavor every day to bring medicines to patients in 88 countries. We build a workplace that champions human‑centric leadership and fosters a culture of collaboration, excellence and impact. At Ipsen, every individual is empowered to be their true selves, grow and thrive alongside the company’s success. Join us on our journey towards sustainable growth, creating real impact on patients and society!

For more information, visit us at https://www.ipsen.com/ and follow our latest news on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Job Description:

The Head of Legal, Transactions & Corporate Legal will be a core member and strategic trusted legal advisor, providing expert guidance across the company’s global partnering, external innovation, and strategic alliance initiatives. As a senior member of the Legal organization, this role will deliver high‑impact legal leadership in support of transformative business transactions and collaborations (M&A, BD&L, Strategic Alliances), and corporate legal matters. The role requires deep expertise in transactional structuring, corporate governance, and the regulatory frameworks governing the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. The head will provide thought leadership on deal strategy and execution, lead by example, and collaborate closely with R&D, Business Development, Corporate Finance, and Compliance to enable business growth while safeguarding the company’s legal and ethical standards.

WHAT - Main Responsibilities & Technical Competencies

Strategic Legal Advisor

• Serve as the legal lead to Ipsen’s legal strategy for global partnering transactions, M&A, and strategic alliances, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and mindful risk taking, under the supervision of SVP Legal Transactions, Corporate Legal & Litigation.
• Provide direct, high‑impact legal counsel to the EVP CBO on BD&L transactions in particular early stage deals.
• Provide direct, high‑impact legal counsel to the, and Strategic Alliance corporate legal matters.
• Represent Ipsen in high‑stakes negotiations on M&A, BD&L and Strategic Alliances, safeguarding the company’s interests and reputation.
• Support the SVP Legal Transactions, Corporate Legal & Litigation on litigation matters.
• Drive transformation initiatives within the Legal function, fostering a culture of innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Transactional legal lead

• Lead and oversee the drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex commercial and corporate agreements related to M&A, Business Development & Licensing (BD&L), and Strategic Alliances, including:
  • Confidentiality, consulting, collaboration R&D agreement, option agreements, licensing agreements
  • Asset and share purchase agreements
  • Shareholder, investor, and joint venture agreements
• Be the focal point of contact for Global Partnering Early Stage team, evaluating potential contractual arrangements to identify and address legal risks and strategic opportunities.
• Provide post‑deal counsel on contract interpretation, compliance, and implementation, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory frameworks together with the Legal Asset Brand Team and US Commercial Legal.
• Lead the proactive management of existing Strategic Alliances, ensuring adherence to contractual commitments and long‑term value creation.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Oversee the development and implementation of global governance frameworks, ensuring best‑in‑class compliance and ethical standards.
• Partner closely with Business Ethics & Compliance to reinforce an ethical culture and ensure consistent execution of compliance initiatives.
• Act and lead major investigations, crisis management, and regulatory responses.
• Resolve, settle, and elevate contractual disputes in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external counsel, as needed.

Cross‑Functional & Global Collaboration

• Maintain close coordination with the Legal Asset Brand Team to ensure alignment and efficiency across global legal operations.
• Collaborate with the IP Legal Team on BD&L projects to protect and optimize intellectual property rights.
• Work effectively with corporate Finance, M&A Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Insurance & Risk Management, Quality, and Regulatory functions to provide integrated legal support.
• Forge and maintain strategic partnerships with key external stakeholders, including regulators, industry associations, and global business partners.

Leadership & Team Management

• Build, inspire, and lead a high‑performing legal team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability.
• Manage, coach, and develop the internal stakeholders providing direction, feedback, and professional growth opportunities.
• Supervise Legal Interns to support their development and ensure the effective contribution of early‑career legal talent.
• Develop together with SVP Legal Transaction and Litigation, the succession planning and talent development strategies to ensure a robust Legal Transaction team.
• Manage and ability to challenge external counsel relationships to ensure quality, efficiency, and cost control.
• Lead and contribute to Legal Department initiatives focused on operational excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous process improvement.

HOW - Knowledge & Experience

Education / Certifications (essential)

• Law degree (LLB, LLM) from a law school in a civil law jurisdiction (France or other European countries) or common law jurisdiction
• For civil law lawyers, an LLM from a common law jurisdiction is a +
• Admitted to NY and French Bar
• +10 years of legal experience in the domain in drafting, reviewing, negotiating and completing various types of transactional documents, with a particular emphasis on BD&L and M&A in the life sciences industry in multiple geographies and jurisdictions
• Previous in‑house experience is required or equivalent experience in private practice/in a law firm advising such life sciences companies
• Thorough understanding of legal principle application to licensing, research, development, commercial, supply, manufacturing, distribution, corporate, procurement, regulatory

Language(s) (essential)

• Fluency in English, both oral (negotiations with external partners) and strong writing skills
• French or other languages are a +

Nous nous engageons à créer un lieu de travail où chacun se sent écouté, valorisé et soutenu, où nous incarnons « The Real Us*». La valeur que nous accordons aux différentes perspectives et expériences motive notre engagement en faveur de l'inclusion et de l'égalité des chances. Lorsque nous intégrons des modes de pensée diversifiés, nous prenons des décisions plus réfléchies et découvrons des solutions plus innovantes. Ensemble, nous nous efforçons de mieux comprendre les communautés que nous servons. Cela signifie que nous voulons également vous aider à donner le meilleur de vous-même lorsque vous postulez à un poste chez nous. Si vous avez besoin d'aménagements ou d'aide pendant le processus de candidature, veuillez en informer l'équipe de recrutement. Ces informations seront traitées avec soin et n'auront aucune incidence sur le résultat de votre candidature. *Soyons nous-même