Legal Counsel

AbbVie; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biopharmaceutical company located in Marlow seeks an experienced in-house counsel. This role will manage all legal affairs for the UK & Ireland, advising on contracts, litigation, and regulatory issues. The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor with relevant in-house experience, strong leadership skills, and a hands-on attitude. This is a full-time position with a commitment to integrity and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day business operations with clear legal advice.
• Develop and maintain legal templates and guidelines.
• Assist on litigation matters and manage external counsels.
• Advise on commercial policies and competition law matters.
• Manage legal risk and monitor legislative changes.

Skills

Hands-on attitude

Ability to take complex business situations and develop solutions

Ability to work cross-functionally & cross-border

Ability to identify and address issues proactively

Structured and process-oriented business-minded

Education

Qualified as a solicitor or equivalent in the UK

Previous experience as an in-house counsel in pharma/medical device

Job description

Location and Reporting

Located in our Marlow offices. Reporting to Counsel Director.

Job Overview

The role will be responsible for the general legal affairs relating to the United Kingdom & Ireland. The role will form part of the UK & Ireland Leadership Team and will also require working with third party stakeholders including external counsels. This position serves as an ambassador role and requires strong leadership to manage both routine and critical situations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and assist day‑to‑day business operations of AA providing proactive and practical clear & concise legal advice in all areas of law and regulation with prioritisation on the UK & Ireland local goals and objectives
• Develop and maintain a range of legal templates and legal guidelines to share with non‑legal teams in the relevant territory and draft / review a various range of commercial contracts
• Assist on litigation matters
• Interact with and manage external counsels
• Advise on commercial policies and competition law related matters
• Support business on commercial claims and disputes with competitors and/or other third parties with specific regard to the advertising and promotion of products
• Manage legal risk and prevent legal issues
• Monitor, anticipate and report changes to the applicable legislation that are of direct or indirect interest to the organisation
• Provide support and legal assistance to functional programmes in all areas of the AA including corporate governance, internal audit, data protection, regulatory inspections and audits, incident management, security and disaster recovery, litigation reports, real estate projects and/or leasing of facilities
• Assist as needed the HR function for relevant employment law matters, the Global Product Protection function for counterfeit and diverted product matters and the Company Secretariat function
• Perform secondary IP work in coordination with Corporate IP Department
• Manage in coordination with the AA Area Legal function the legal budget for the UK & Ireland
• Ensure goals and objectives are fully aligned to business
• Complete timely and in accordance with company’s code of ethics, policies, procedures, SOPs and all administrative tasks relating to the employment status of the in‑house lawyer

Qualifications

• Qualified as a solicitor or equivalent in the UK
• Previous experience as an in‑house counsel preferably in a pharma and medical device business
• Hands‑on attitude
• Ability to take complex business situations and develop solutions to ensure compliant business activities
• Ability to work cross‑functionally & cross‑border and manage complexity
• Ability to identify and address issues proactively in a timely manner
• Structured and process‑oriented business‑minded
• Endorses and acts according to AA values and leadership behaviours

Additional Information

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled.

Employment Type: Full-time

Vacancy: 1