Novartis Pharma AG - July 27, 2026

Job ID

REQ-10083666

Jul 29, 2026

Switzerland

Available in: English

Summary

#LI-Hybrid

Location: Basel, Switzerland or London, UK (see separate posting)

As Senior Legal Counsel, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Neuroscience and advancing breakthrough gene therapies. You will work at the heart of the International Neuroscience & Gene Therapies Therapeutic Area, partnering with senior leaders to enable bold innovation, guide high-impact strategic decisions, and help bring transformative medicines to patients worldwide. This is a unique opportunity to combine legal excellence with business leadership, influencing complex and innovative global initiatives across commercial, medical affairs, development, and market access functions while helping to redefine possibilities for patients living with neurological and rare diseases.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

Serve as a lead legal partner for a portfolio of innovative products and strategic initiatives within the International Neuroscience & Gene Therapies Therapeutic Area.
Provide strategic legal guidance to commercial, medical, value and access, and development teams and other key stakeholders.
Identify, assess, and mitigate legal, regulatory, and compliance risks across key business activities.
Lead drafting, negotiation, and management of complex research, development, and commercial agreements.
Support business development activities, alliance management, and integration of strategic assets and partnerships.
Enable compliant promotional, medical, congress, investor relations, corporate and other external communication and content.
Drive innovation by enabling novel business approaches and supporting successful product launch strategies.
Build organizational capability through legal training, cross-functional collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
Close partnership and collaboration with global, regional, and country legal colleagues to ensure coordinated and consistent legal support across the product portfolio.

Essential Requirements

Law degree and bar admission with strong legal expertise in a commercial environment.
Significant post-qualification legal experience, gained either within the healthcare or pharmaceutical sector or with a top-tier law firm advising healthcare and technology clients.
Strong understanding of pharmaceutical legal frameworks, compliance requirements, and risk management principles.
Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and provide pragmatic and proactive advice in complex global organizations.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills across diverse cross-functional teams.
Track record of effectively managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality outcomes under tight deadlines.
Fluency in English, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive solutions independently.

Desirable Requirements

In-house legal experience within a global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare organization.
Experience in the rare disease sector, including its associated legal, regulatory, commercial, and access landscape.

Benefits & Rewards

At Novartis, we are committed to reimagining medicine together—and rewarding the people who make it happen.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: CHF 146,300 - 271,700

The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies, and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay-setting policy and will be reviewed periodically upon joining Novartis.

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits to help you thrive personally and professionally, including insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources, and global recognition programs. Additionally, we provide flexible and hybrid working options where possible, as well as a minimum of 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Long-term equity awards granted at the group level may also be part of your package. Further details will be provided during the application process.

Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: Novartis Life Handbook

Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately during the application process.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and Accommodation

Novartis is dedicated to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, due to a medical condition or disability, you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Why Novartis

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting, and inspiring each other to achieve breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? Learn more.

How to Apply

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Position Details

Primary location salary range: CHF 146,300.00 - CHF 271,700.00

Division: Legal

Business Unit: Legal

Location: Switzerland

Site: Basel (City)

Company / Legal Entity: C028 (FCRS = CH028) Novartis Pharma AG

Functional Area: Legal & Intellectual Property & Compl.

Job Type: Full time

Employment Type: Regular

Shift Work: No

Legal & Intellectual Property & Compl. Legal Switzerland

Job ID: REQ-10083666

Senior Legal Counsel Neuroscience & Gene Therapies, International