Senior Legal Counsel & Divestments

Novartis AG; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A multinational pharmaceuticals company based in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to lead the legal execution of complex divestments. The role involves managing high-impact transactions, drafting and negotiating legal documents, and providing strategic guidance to cross-functional teams. Candidates should have a strong track record in leading complex transactions within the life sciences sector along with significant experience in M&A deals. This role presents an opportunity to shape the future of the company's portfolio.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading complex transactions in law firm or in-house environment.
• Expertise in life sciences transactions is required.
• Hands-on experience with M&A deals is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage legal workstream for high-impact transactions.
• Shape deal direction and drive project plans.
• Own all legal aspects of transactions from drafting to execution.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks through due diligence.

Skills

Leading complex transactional work

Life sciences transactions

Drafting and negotiating M&A deals

Business acumen

Job description

Overview

Join Novartis' Legal Divestments team as a Senior Legal Counsel, where you will lead the legal execution of complex, high impact divestments and partner closely with our Mergers and Acquisitions and Business Development & Licensing, and Strategy and Growth teams to shape the future of Novartis's portfolio and drive enterprise wide strategic impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead and independently manage the full legal workstream for complex, high-impact transactions, partnering closely with colleagues across M&A, BD&L, Strategy, and key functional and divisional teams.
• Shape deal direction by defining clear transaction objectives and driving project plans—from timelines and reporting to high-quality deliverables through to execution.
• Own all legal aspects of transactions, including structuring, drafting, due diligence, signing, closing, and post-closing integration to ensure seamless end-to-end delivery.
• Take ownership of due diligence processes, engaging external counsel where needed, to identify and translate legal, regulatory, and deal risks into actionable mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate across M&A, BD&L, Strategy, and functional partners to ensure cross-functional due diligence is complete, aligned, and reflected in deal structure and terms.
• Draft, review, and negotiate transaction documents that balance commercial objectives, risk, legal requirements, and Novartis standards.
• Develop creative, pragmatic legal solutions in collaboration with tax, finance, People & Organisation, Compensation & Benefits, and external advisors to overcome deal challenges and accelerate progress.
• Provide clear, credible legal and commercial recommendations to M&A, BD&L, and senior leaders, influencing key decisions throughout the deal lifecycle.
• Support Investor Relations and Public Relations teams on transaction-related communications to ensure consistent and compliant external messaging.
• Ensure smooth handover and transition of completed transactions to functional, divisional, and integration/separation teams.
• Contribute to building a best-in-class Transactions Legal team, championing continuous improvement and excellence across Novartis Legal.
• Manage external legal counsel effectively, including scope setting and budget management.

Qualifications

• A strong track record of leading complex transactional or divestment work (post-qualification) in a top law firm or in-house environment.
• Deep experience in life sciences transactions, including licensing, co-development, joint ventures, in- and out-licensing, and divestments.
• Significant hands-on experience drafting, negotiating and executing sophisticated M&A deals—public and private, buy-side and sell-side—as well as broader corporate transactions (e.g., joint ventures, equity or debt investments).
• Exposure to related commercial arrangements, such as supply or services agreements, is highly valued.
• Prior experience in the life sciences sector is essential; additional exposure to venture capital or digital/tech transactions is a strong plus.
• Demonstrated business acumen with the ability to operate, influence, and lead effectively in a highly matrixed global organisation.