Legal Counsel

ABBVIE PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biopharmaceutical company based in Singapore seeks a highly competent Legal Counsel to provide comprehensive legal support for their pharmaceutical business across the Asia region. The ideal candidate will have a law degree and a minimum of 7 years of experience, offering strategic commercial legal advice, managing legal agreements, and resolving disputes. Proficiency in English and Chinese is preferred, and experience within a global pharmaceutical organization is advantageous. This role promises an impactful position with significant responsibilities.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of post-qualification experience in a law firm and as in-house legal counsel.
• Prior in-house legal experience within a global pharmaceutical company is preferred.
• Experience advising businesses in the Asia region is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic commercial legal advice and support to AbbVie’s pharmaceutical business.
• Conduct thorough legal analysis and deliver expert advice on complex legal issues.
• Lead the drafting, reviewing, and negotiation of various legal agreements.
• Manage and resolve disputes and litigation involving AbbVie.

Skills

Fluency in written and spoken English

Strong communication and influencing skills

Ability to manage risks and navigate complexities

Proven problem-solving skills

Ability to multi-task and prioritize demands

Education

Law degree from a reputable university

Job description

AbbVie is seeking a highly competent and experienced Legal Counsel to provide comprehensive legal support to our pharmaceutical business in the Asia region. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional legal expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• In close partnership with regional and/or local legal, business, and cross-functional teams, provide strategic commercial legal advice and support to AbbVie’s pharmaceutical business.
• Actively contribute to strategic planning and decision‑making processes to find innovative solutions and unlock opportunities for AbbVie.
• Support and/or drive workstreams within the Legal Therapeutics team on strategic matters or projects in novel areas of law or business transactions.
• Proactive leadership and advisor to management, business and cross‑functional teams, offering business oriented, efficient, flexible, and long‑term solutions for core strategic business challenges, anticipating hurdles and evaluating the broader business impact of proposed ways forward.
• Independently identify legal issues and risks, conduct thorough legal analysis, and deliver expert substantive advice and risk‑based solutions concerning a broad range of complex legal, regulatory, and compliance issues in alignment with AbbVie policies and standards.
• Lead the drafting, reviewing, and negotiation of legal agreements in accordance with AbbVie business objectives and requirements, including vendor agreements, distribution agreements, promotion and marketing agreements, wholesaler agreements, manufacturing agreements, service agreements, supply agreements, and agreements with healthcare professionals and organizations.
• Independently manage and resolve disputes and litigation involving AbbVie (with the effective use of external counsel as needed) to ensure optimal outcomes for AbbVie.
• Enhance and refine AbbVie’s legal framework by developing and maintaining standard contract templates, working tools, and legal processes to drive consistency and efficiency.
• Design and deliver impactful legal training programs for the business and functional teams to ensure understanding of and compliance with key legal requirements.

Education and Experience

• Law degree from a reputable university.
• Minimum of 7 years of post‑qualification experience, ideally within a reputable law firm and as an in‑house legal counsel in a multinational organization.
• Prior in‑house legal experience within a global pharmaceutical company and/or in the with pharmaceutical or medical device industry is preferred.

General understanding of / experience in the following areas is a plus

• Advising businesses in the Asia region (e.g. Taiwan, Southeast Asia)
• Antitrust and competition, compliance and anti‑bribery, data privacy and protection, and/or intellectual property.

Skills and Attributes

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluent written and spoken Chinese skills is a plus.
• Agile and able to work effectively and proactively both independently and in teams.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and work effectively as a team in the Legal function and with cross‑functional teams.
• Confident in managing risks and navigating legal and regulatory complexities to make comprehensive decisions which prioritize key business priorities and are consistent with the law and AbbVie’s Code of Conduct and policies.
• Proven ability to multi‑task and prioritize competing demands and timelines to deliver results in a fast‑paced and evolving environment, ensuring prompt legal support.
• Self‑starter with strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills and knowledge of the broader business impact of decisions made.
• High ethical standards and integrity, acting as a role model and legal business leader within the organization.
• Embraces continuous learning and professional development.