Head of Legal Medical Affairs / Head of Legal Medical Affairs

Job ID

REQ-10067863

Date: January 14, 2026

Location: Basel, Switzerland

Summary

#LI-Hybrid

We are a team of dedicated and passionate individuals united by a shared goal of achieving excellence together. You will serve as the principal legal advisor to the Head of International Medical Affairs (IMA) and the IMA Leadership Team, guiding them on medical strategies, plans, and activities across International, Regional, and Country levels. This includes key areas such as Medical Excellence and Governance, Evidence Generation, Scientific Communication, and field medical activities.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Legal Counsel: Provide strategic legal leadership for Medical Affairs across international markets, ensuring compliance in scientific exchange and medical engagement. Establish clear guidelines for non-promotional activities such as publications, grants, real-world evidence, and digital interactions, in accordance with applicable laws and industry codes.
• Medical Governance, Standards & Controls: Advise on medical governance and the design and implementation of global standards and processes for medical programs. Clarify the distinctions between non-promotional and promotional conduct and operationalize guidance for field medical activities.
• Scientific Exchange, MLR, and Review Governance: Enhance SOPs for Medical/Legal/Regulatory (MLR) and Scientific Communications, ensuring clear accountability and documentation. Oversee legal reviews of medical materials to ensure compliance with local regulations and approved information.
• Medical Engagements and Advisory Activities: Support compliant frameworks for healthcare professional (HCP) engagements, including advisory boards and expert panels. Provide guidance on speaker training and scientific events to ensure adherence to non-promotional standards.
• Medical Excellence and Innovation: Drive innovative strategies that align with Medical and International objectives, focusing on launches and new engagement models. Oversee governance for medical excellence initiatives and monitor legal risks associated with emerging technologies.
• Risk Management / Compliance: Partner with Ethics, Risk, and Compliance teams to identify and address compliance risks, ensuring adherence to regulations. Contribute to audits and regulatory inquiries related to medical activities.
• Policy Monitoring, Capability Building & Training: Monitor trends and changes in industry regulations. Translate these into actionable guidance and training for the International team on scientific exchange and engagements.
• Functional Reporting, Alignment & Collaboration: Regularly update the Head Legal CLS, IMA and V&A, and senior leaders on key matters. Encourage collaboration with various departments to ensure cohesive legal strategies.
• Governance: Actively participate in relevant medical governance bodies within IMA.
• Functional Leadership: Lead initiatives that foster departmental knowledge and share best practices across International, Regional, and Country Legal functions.

Essential Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree, along with a prior Bachelor's degree.
• Extensive experience providing legal counsel in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with a successful track record in product launches.
• Comprehensive knowledge of legal issues in the pharma/biotech sector, including regulatory, commercial, and privacy matters.
• Familiarity with medical affairs activities and frameworks across multiple markets.
• Demonstrated leadership ability within matrix organizations, including managing and coaching teams.
• Exceptional negotiation and conflict management skills.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Novartis is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment with diverse teams that reflect the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and Accommodation

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process due to a medical condition or disability, please send an email to diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com with details of your request and contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your email.

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Why Novartis

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