Senior Legal Counsel

Novartis AG; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 93,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Global recognition programs

Car allowance

Job summary

Novartis in London is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel, BD&L to shape and execute complex licensing, collaboration, acquisition, and other growth-focused agreements in a highly collaborative, international environment.

You will lead legal workstreams, structure and draft agreements, advise stakeholders, manage external counsel, and mitigate risks across due diligence, signing, and integration.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with significant experience in complex corporate, commercial, or life sciences transactions.
• Proven expertise negotiating and drafting licensing, collaboration, and strategic transaction agreements.
• Strong experience leading legal aspects of transactions within the life sciences industry.
• Excellent stakeholder management in cross-functional and international environments.
• Fluent English with exceptional legal drafting, communication, and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal workstreams for strategic business development and licensing transactions.
• Structure, negotiate, and draft complex commercial and transactional agreements.
• Provide legal guidance throughout due diligence, signing, closing, and integration activities.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal, regulatory, and transaction-related risks.
• Partner with business, strategy, finance, tax, and people teams to deliver deal objectives.
• Advise senior stakeholders on legal and commercial considerations impacting transactions.
• Manage external counsel and contribute to continuous improvement of legal processes.

Skills

Life sciences

Commercial law

Licensing agreements

Due diligence

Stakeholder management

Corporate law

Job description

Salary Range

£92,960.00 - £172,640.00

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid

Location

London, United Kingdom

Relocation Support

This role is based in London, United Kingdom. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

About the Role

Join Novartis at the forefront of transformational deal-making and help shape the future of healthcare. As Senior Legal Counsel, BD&L, you will play a pivotal role in some of Novartis's most strategic transactions, partnering with senior business leaders to structure, negotiate, and execute complex licensing, collaboration, acquisition, and other growth-driving agreements. This is an exciting opportunity to combine legal expertise, commercial insight, and strategic thinking while working in a highly collaborative, international environment that directly influences the company's portfolio and long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead legal workstreams for strategic business development and licensing transactions.
• Structure, negotiate, and draft complex commercial and transactional agreements.
• Provide legal guidance throughout due diligence, signing, closing, and integration activities.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal, regulatory, and transaction‑related risks.
• Partner with business, strategy, finance, tax, and people teams to deliver deal objectives.
• Advise senior stakeholders on legal and commercial considerations impacting transactions.
• Manage external counsel and contribute to continuous improvement of legal processes.

Essential Requirements

• Qualified lawyer with significant experience in complex corporate, commercial, or life sciences transactions.
• Proven expertise negotiating and drafting licensing, collaboration, and strategic transaction agreements.
• Strong experience leading legal aspects of transactions within the life sciences industry.
• Ability to analyze complex legal issues and deliver practical, business‑focused solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills within cross‑functional and international environments.
• Fluent English with exceptional legal drafting, communication, and negotiation skills.

Benefits & Rewards

At Novartis, we're committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.

• Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 92,960.00 - 172,640.00 GBP Annual
• The base salary offered is determined based on gender‑neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.
• In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance‑based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.
• The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs.
• In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.
• Long‑term equity awards granted at group level may also be part of your package. Further details will be provided during the application process.
• You may be eligible for a company vehicle or a car allowance in accordance with the applicable local Novartis policies and guidelines.
• Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics.
• Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf
• Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO paragraph

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Skills Desired

Administrative Law, Automated Process (Inactive), Behavioral Economics, Business Partners (Inactive), Commercial Acumen, Conflict Management, Empathy, Finance, Law (Legal System) (Inactive), Learning Quickly, Legal Consulting, Litigation Law, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Microsoft Office, Public Speaking, Results‑Oriented, Risk Compliance (Inactive)