Legal Partner FTC 12 Months

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG; Welwyn; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche Products Ltd. in the UK is seeking a Legal Counsel to support the General Counsel as a core member of the legal team, advising on UK commercial pharmaceutical law, data protection, and contract negotiations to protect the company’s interests.

You will serve as a key partner across the UK & Ireland, providing proactive legal counsel to R&D and commercial teams, managing DSARs, reviewing CTAs, and ensuring compliance with ABPI and healthcare regulations.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer in England & Wales.
• 2–6 years PQE in relevant field.
• Strong knowledge of UK data protection laws (UK GDPR) and UK commercial pharmaceutical law.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating agreements and supporting diverse business units.

Responsibilities

• Data protection operations: manage DSRS and privacy incidents with DPO escalation.
• Provide UK & Ireland legal support on commercial, regulatory and compliance matters.
• Ensure ethical conduct and compliance with Roche Group Code of Conduct.

Skills

UK GDPR

Pharma law

Contract negotiation

Legal advice

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position The Opportunity

As Legal Counsel you will have responsibility for supporting the General Counsel as a key member of the legal team and working with various stakeholders throughout the business, providing sound legal advice across the relevant matters affecting the business. You will identify and manage commercial and legal risk in and work for the creation of sound commercial proposals that meet business areas goals and metrics and protect the Company’s risk levels, reputation and financial interests.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Protection Operations: Serve as the primary responsible person for operational data privacy matters across the affiliate. This includes managing and resolving Data Subject Requests (DSRs) and investigating privacy incidents, while maintaining a direct reporting line to the Data Protection Officer (DPO) for escalation and strategic alignment.
• Comprehensive Legal Support: Act as a core business partner by advising on UK commercial pharmaceutical laws. Provide comprehensive legal support in the UK and Ireland with a view to ensuring Roche achieves its goals and appropriately manages legal risk (to take into account laws and regulations relating (but not limited) to, competition law, commercial, data protection, marketing and advertising, anti-bribery law, litigation and disputes).
• Ethical & Compliance Leadership: Ensuring that the company, employees and agencies operate ethically and in compliance with the Roche Group Code of Conduct.
• R&D and Clinical Trial Support: Provide proactive legal counsel to global and local R&D teams. This includes advising on clinical trial regulations, reviewing and negotiating clinical trial agreements (CTAs).
• Project & Commercial Execution: Supporting the business to ensure activities are both commercially sound and legally compliant.
• Horizon Scanning & Risk Mitigation: Identify risks and opportunities derived from changes in legislation and ensure that the key legal aspects are taken into account in both planning and decision processes.
• Business Alignment: Ensure alignment and adherence across the relevant business areas in all legal matters.
• Operational Excellence: Ensuring the legal tools, template documents and agreements are maintained and reflect any changes in business practice and relevant laws and regulations.

Who You Are

Qualifications: You are a qualified lawyer in England and Wales. Post Qualification: 2-6 years PQE Core Expertise: You possess a strong, practical knowledge of UK data protection laws (UK GDPR) and UK commercial pharmaceutical law. You are comfortable reviewing and negotiating agreements and providing daily support to diverse business units. Industry Experience (required qualifications): Prior experience within the life sciences or pharmaceutical industry, featuring a comprehensive understanding of UK and Irish legal frameworks, UK GDPR, and relevant healthcare compliance standards (e.g., ABPI Code guidelines). Desirable Competencies: Familiarity or experience with medical device regulations and digital health laws (such as UK Medical Devices Regulations, CE/UKCA marking frameworks, or software-as-a-medical-device guidance) is not mandatory but would be a plus. Inclusive Collaboration: Fosters a diverse, high-performing culture by bridging geographical and functional boundaries, resolving conflicts, and driving cross-team unity. Impactful Communication & Influence: Simplifies complex legal concepts clearly while inspiring the organization with a sense of purpose to rally support and execute goals. Strategic Decision-Making: Navigates ambiguity and conflicting requirements to make sound, high-stakes decisions that reflect the broader business context.TBC

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact. Let’s build a healthier future, together. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Roche Products Ltd. At Roche Products we believe diversity drives innovation and we are committed to building a diverse and flexible working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability or age. We recognise the importance of flexible working and will review all applicants’ requests with care. At Roche difference is valued and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer where you are encouraged to bring your whole self to work. We believe it’s urgent to deliver medical solutions right now – even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about transforming patients’ lives. We are courageous in both decision and action. And we believe that good business means a better world. That is why we come to work each day. We commit ourselves to scientific rigor, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow. We are proud of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. We are many, working as one across functions, across companies, and across the world. We are Roche.