Role Overview
We are seeking a Legal & Compliance Counsel to join our Singapore office (on-site), reporting to the Head of Legal. This role provides legal and compliance support across Asia-Pacific, India, the Middle East, Central Latin America, and Europe (including Italy). The position involves limited travel (approximately 10%) and close collaboration with business teams, regional stakeholders, and China HQ. Fluency in English is required; Mandarin or Korean language capability is a strong advantage.
Key Responsibilities
- Legal Advisory & Commercial Contracting: Provide day-to-day legal support to business and functional teams, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements such as business development, distributorship, in-licensing, in-distribution, CDMO, CSO, supply chain, regulatory services, and logistics related contracts. Support contract risk assessment, ensure alignment with internal policies, and escalate material or non-standard issues to the Head of Legal.
- Compliance Framework Implementation & Advisory: Support the implementation and operation of the Company's compliance framework across supported regions, including the Code of Conduct, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption policies, and applicable healthcare compliance requirements.
- Commercial, Third-Party & HCP Compliance: Support third-party compliance processes, including distributor and vendor due diligence, vendor qualification assessments, and ongoing compliance monitoring. Advise business teams on compliance risks relating to distributor engagement, sales and marketing activities, pricing and promotional practices, and interactions with healthcare professionals and healthcare institutions. Review and support compliant structuring of sponsorships, medical education programmes, advisory boards, and other HCP-related activities, in line with applicable laws, industry codes, and internal policies, and to mitigate risks of improper inducement or off-label promotion.
- Training, Monitoring & Investigations: Support the rollout of compliance training programmes for employees and relevant third parties, including anti-bribery, Code of Conduct, and healthcare compliance topics. Assist with compliance monitoring activities, internal reviews, and internal investigations into potential policy breaches or misconduct.
- Data Protection & IP Support: Provide legal support on data protection and privacy matters, including review of contracts and operational queries relating to personal data handling in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Support trademark and brand protection matters, including coordination of filings, renewals, and basic enforcement actions, working with external counsel where required.
- Dispute Management & Governance Support: Support the management of disputes, regulatory inquiries, and claims across supported jurisdictions, working with external counsel as needed. Assist with corporate governance and corporate secretarial matters for Singapore and regional entities, including coordination with external service providers.
- Regional & HQ Coordination: Work closely with China HQ Legal & Compliance and regional stakeholders to support group-wide compliance initiatives, reporting, audits, and regional projects, and contribute to cross-border legal and compliance workstreams as directed.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Education & Qualification: Law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a recognised institution, with admission to practice law in Singapore or another common law jurisdiction preferred.
- Experience: at least 8 years of post-qualification experience, with relevant in-house experience in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, or life sciences industry strongly preferred. Candidates with a combination of private practice and in-house experience advising pharmaceutical or healthcare clients will be strongly preferred. Experience supporting regional or cross-border matters is highly desirable.
- Compliance Experience: Demonstrated hands-on experience supporting pharmaceutical or healthcare compliance, particularly in anti-bribery and anti-corruption, third-party risk management, and healthcare professional interaction compliance. Familiarity with global compliance frameworks (e.g. FCPA, UK Bribery Act) and regional APAC healthcare regulations and industry codes is required. Experience in implementing, operationalizing, or supporting compliance programmes is essential.
- Commercial & Legal Skills: Strong commercial contract drafting and review skills, with experience handling common pharmaceutical-related agreements such as distribution, in-licensing, supply, manufacturing, and commercial collaboration agreements. Able to identify legal and compliance risks, apply sound judgment, and provide practical, business-oriented advice.
- Working Style & Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural, matrixed environment. Fluent in English; Mandarin or Korean language capability is a strong advantage for communication with HQ and regional offices and for reviewing local-language documents.
- Travel: Willingness to undertake limited regional travel (up to approximately 10%) as required.
