Legal Counsel - Northern European Hub (UK based, hybrid working)

Eli Lilly and; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company is seeking a Legal Counsel for its Northern European Hub. This role involves providing legal support in various areas of law to affiliates in the UK and Scandinavia. The ideal candidate will have a law degree and experience in multinational settings. Strong communication skills in English are essential, and knowledge of Swedish is a plus. This position offers a hybrid working pattern, blending office and remote work.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in an international law firm or in-house legal department of a multinational company.
• Strong command of written and spoken English is essential.
• Ability to work independently and lead projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to affiliates in Northern Europe.
• Develop and conduct training programs for the affiliates’ employees.
• Monitor and communicate changes in law affecting business operations.

Skills

Legal analysis

Commercial law expertise

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Degree in law

Job description

Overview

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Job title: Legal Counsel – Northern European Hub

Location: United Kingdom (relocate to the UK)

Working pattern: hybrid (3/2)

Role Overview

The Northern European Hub Legal team provides general legal support to Lilly Affiliates in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Demark and Finland.

As the Legal Counsel you will be responsible for providing effective day-to-day support resulted in legal solutions based on the SPELL model (solution oriented, prudent, ethical, Land-scape aware, law-informed counselling). This in return helps the Affiliates achieve business objectives, minimize legal risks, and align with local laws, regulations and company’s policies.

You will be responsible for legal counselling in various areas of law including commercial, promotion, regulatory and corporate matters, transactions, litigation, competition, anti-bribery, FCPA, sanctions, advertising, IP, labour issues.

Main Responsibilities

• Proactively support the company in preventing, detecting and responding to legal risks in business operations, drive solutions for products, processes and services in the Affiliates. Monitor, identify, interpret and timely communicate to the internal clients changes in the law potentially affecting business operations.
• Assist with internal control and compliance program enhancement. Legal strategy to adopt, develop and implement programs, policies and practices in the Affiliates. Make decisions that impact a range of standard and non-standard operational, process, project or service activities. Engage cross-functional/ cross-geographical collaboration to replicate standard methodologies.
• Participate in the regional and corporate assignments/projects. Communicate with lawyers in the Northern European Hub, IBU and Corporate center to ensure one voice counselling and effective use of legal resources across the geographies.
• Defend the company in government investigations/inquiries. When needed, cooperate with in-house counsels on internal investigations with the assistance of external law firm or in-house HR or compliance investigation resource.
• Develop and conduct training programs for the Affiliates’ employees based on the identified needs.
• Support General Counsel and lead implementation of legal strategy, budgeting process, anti-counterfeit activities, BD projects, advocating activities in local associations and on the external front.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in law.
• Demonstrable experience in an international law firm or in-house legal department of multinational pharmaceutical; financial or FMCG company.
• Ability to work independently, lead projects and programs with moderate risks and resource/financial requirements, engaging teamwork and collaboration. Ability to facilitate cross-functional/cross-geographical work.
• Strong command of written and spoken English is essential.
• Speaking Swedish is an asset.

You will succeed in this role if

You are a self-motivated and highly organized legal professional with strong business and legal competence, ready to improve processes, handle risk, and support strategic decision-making. You work independently with confidence, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail. You approach sophisticated legal challenges with sound judgment and are comfortable making well-informed decisions you can stand behind. Your excellent communication skills and professional integrity help you build strong relationships. Your analytical approach allows you to interpret legal information and data to deliver clear, practical advice in a business context.

Embracing Diversity

Embracing diversity is at the core of our long-held value of respect for people. It is the lens through which we understand and respond to the unique needs of the millions of individuals who depend on our medicines.

For us, embracing diversity means understanding, respecting, and valuing differences, including but not limited to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. The greatest measure of our diversity efforts is our ability to attract and retain exceptional employees who feel comfortable in a culture that supports them being themselves.

#WeAreLillyUKandIreland

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lillydoes not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.