DACH Head of Legal & Compliance — Lead & Elevate

Arthrex; Delaware; Hybrid; USD 136,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Company pension scheme

Employee events

Wellness programs

Job summary

Arthrex GmbH in Germany seeks a Head of Legal and Compliance DACH (m/w/d) to lead legal and compliance support for the DACH region, guiding commercial, marketing, and medical education activities while coaching a team of three professionals. You will advise senior management on complex regulatory matters, shape regional strategy, monitor developments, and collaborate with the broader EMEA organization; travel up to 20% is expected.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified lawyer with Second State Examination and German Bar admission.
• Minimum of seven years of relevant Legal & Compliance experience, preferably in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or life sciences.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal and compliance support for the DACH region, guiding commercial, marketing, and medical education activities.
• Coach and develop a team of three Legal & Compliance professionals with leadership responsibilities.
• Advise senior management on complex legal, regulatory, and compliance matters.
• Shape and drive the regional Legal & Compliance strategy in line with business priorities and the EMEA organization.
• Assess risks, develop policies and processes, and foster a culture of compliance through advisory, training, and communications.

Skills

German language

English language

Leadership

Education

Second State Examination

German Bar admission

Job description

Head of Legal and Compliance DACH (m/w/d)

Your Responsibilities

• Lead legal and compliance support for the DACH region, providing guidance on commercial, marketing, and medical education activities
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of three Legal & Compliance professionals, with overall responsibility for both disciplinary and functional leadership
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior management on complex legal, regulatory, and compliance-related matters
• Shape and drive the regional Legal & Compliance strategy, ensuring alignment with business priorities and the wider EMEA organization
• Assess legal and compliance risks, further develop policies and processes, and foster a sustainable culture of compliance through advisory, communication, and training activities
• Review, draft, and negotiate a broad range of contracts and oversee external legal counsel where required
• Partner with key stakeholders to support audits, risk assessments, and internal investigations, ensuring the implementation of appropriate corrective actions
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and proactively translate emerging requirements into effective business practices

Your Profile

• Fully qualified lawyer with successful completion of the Second State Examination and admission to the German Bar
• Minimum of seven years of relevant Legal & Compliance experience, preferably within the healthcare, pharmaceutical, medical device, or life sciences industry
• Proven expertise in advising commercial functions and navigating healthcare regulations, compliance programs, and legal risk management
• Prior leadership experience is advantageous; most importantly, you are motivated to lead and develop a team through a clear, collaborative, and people-focused approach
• Confident and professional communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders and build trusted partnerships across all organizational levels
• Strong sense of ownership, sound judgment, and a structured, solution-oriented way of working
• Fluent German and English language skills, combined with a willingness to travel internationally up to 20%

What We Offer

• International working environment with long-term career prospects in a privately owned and continuously growing company
• A collaborative and appreciative corporate culture with a strong team spirit
• Depending on the position, opportunities for mobile working and temporary work from other EU countries
• 30 days of annual leave and programs supporting work-life balance and family commitments
• A wide range of internal and external learning and development opportunities, including digital learning platforms
• Attractive additional benefits such as a company pension scheme and employer-funded supplementary health insurance
• Comprehensive health and well-being programs, including cooperation with EGYM Wellpass, on-site massage services, occupational health management, and wellness initiatives
• Regular employee events and company gatherings
• Complimentary lunch at our locations
• Additional benefits such as a subsidized Germany ticket, Corporate Benefits discounts, and bike leasing programs