General Counsel

**Overall Purpose**

The General Counsel is leading and managing the Legal Department and supervising all legal advice and contract negotiations across the organization. S/he provides legal advice on all relevant matters and has a key role in managing risks for the organization from a legal standpoint. S/he is expected to actively contribute to the organizational strategy through participation in the meetings of the Management Team and the Board.

The General Counsel advises on strategic collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and other partners, overseeing contractual negotiations and providing other legal support, including on data protection issues. Her/his role includes developing needed templates and ensuring that legal files are archived correctly. The General Counsel is also responsible for the alignment and coordination of the governance structure of GARDP in Switzerland, and its affiliated legal entities.

**Tasks and Responsibilities**:
**Legal Advice**
- Provide legal counsel to senior management, board, and staff on organizational governance and corporate matters.
- Resolve legal issues through negotiation and analysis of risks, offering timely advice.
- Support decision-making on legal matters for senior management and governance bodies.
- Assist internal stakeholders on insurance practices and data protection.
- Collaborate with Regulatory Function on legal advice regarding registration, procurement, and distribution of medical products.
- Offer legal guidance to Communication and Medical Teams.

**Risk Management**
- Anticipate legal issues, focusing on creative solutions to mitigate risks.
- Manage litigations and negotiate resolutions to disputes.
- Stay updated on legal changes affecting GARDP, disseminating relevant information and organizing trainings.
- Disseminate appropriate legal information; organize trainings.

**Governance, Corporate Structuring, and Compliance**
- Lead legal advice on GARDP's foundation status, corporate requirements, and registrations.
- Support Executive Office in ensuring internal compliance with GARDP statutes and by-laws.
- Advise senior management on GARDP's rights and obligations under Swiss law.
- Develop and review GARDP policies for statutory and legal compliance.
- Advise on IP management strategy and oversee trademark portfolio.
- Assess legal structures for regional offices and corporate governance.
- Ensure legal compliance of GARDP affiliated entities.

**Transactions/Partnerships**
- Negotiate collaboration and licensing agreements with pharmaceutical partners.
- Develop frameworks for strategic alliances and partnerships with relevant departments.
- Ensure contracts align with GARDP's legal requirements and internal policies.

**Legal Team Management**
- Provide leadership and efficient management of the legal team.
- Ensure quality of contractual work and develop templates and processes.
- Liaise with Internal Operations for alignment in infrastructure development.
- Manage legal budget and oversee external legal counsels.
- Collaborate with other organizations in product development partnerships.

**Reporting line**
- S/he reports to the Deputy Executive Director and manages a Legal team.

**Requirements**:
**Skills and Attributes**
- Excellent ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
- Clear and systematic thinking paired with strong judgment and problem-solving competencies.
- Ability to drive negotiations to conclusion.
- Ability to lead, manage, and motivate multicultural teams.
- Highly organized and structured.
- Excellent management, negotiation, and analytical skills.
- Excellent ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders.
- Good communication and public speaking skills, ability to convince and represent GARDP at high-level events.
- Strong leadership skills to inspire and motivate teams towards achieving organizational goals.
- Proficiency in strategic thinking and the ability to develop and implement effective business strategies.
- Strong communication and relationship-building abilities, with the capacity to collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
- Demonstrated capability to understand and manage one's emotions and effectively navigate interpersonal dynamics in the workplace.

**Experience**:

- Minimum 15 years’ relevant experience including management level.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a multicultural team environment and matrix structure.
- Experience in the pharmaceutical industry or working with the pharmaceutical industry highly desirable.
- Experience building and leading teams in a start-up environment.
- Proven track record in legal affairs and governance.

**Additional desirable qualifications**:

- Experience/good understanding of the R&D environment.

**Education**
- Master’s degree in Law
- Qualification as a lawyer in a civil or common law jurisdiction

**Other Requirements**
- Fluency in English, other languages an a