Job Description: Legal Counsel (Director)
This role will be responsible for overseeing and ensuring the organization’s compliance with government laws, regulations, and internal policies, a vital role to ensure that the business operations are executed within the legal and ethical boundaries set by the government and industry regulations, to maintain Cerecin’s integrity and reputation.
Legal Key Responsibilities
- Technical and commercial Support: General corporate R&D, finance, HR, IT, Quality, Regulatory, commercial support, assessing legal implications, and advise across the organizations on resolving legal issues
- Contracts: Draft, review, and negotiate pharmaceutical/finance related contracts across multiple jurisdiction such as NDAs, client/vendor agreements, software licenses, distribution, supply tenders, consultancy, and other interactions with healthcare professionals/sponsorhips
- Disputes. Manage various legal dispute or litigations
- Project Financing: Support in corporate transactions and project financing. Assist in preparation and review of financing transaction documents including loan agreements, security documentation, and related contracts
- Coordination with external counsel: Liaise with and external legal counsel in multiple jurisdictions, on complex transactions and regulatory matters, ensuring timely and effective legal support
- Public Statement: Review press releases, support promotional material review, material released to public (e.g. via social media)
- Closely partner with the C suite and the Leadership team on legal and compliance maters, not limited to fund raising activities, reporting, auditing, and managing external counsels.
- Provide accurate and timely counsel / advice in a variety of legal topics such as business contracts, partnerships, international ventures, corporate finance etc.).
- Collaborate with underwriters and legal counsels on IPO related due diligence and filings and manage post IPO compliance requirements.
- Specifying internal governance policies and regularly monitor compliance.
- Research and evaluate different risk factors regarding business decisions and operations.
- Apply effective risk management techniques and offer proactive advise on possible legal issues.
- Updating leadership with timely analysis and summaries of new legislation/regulations affecting the business.
- Responsible for support related to litigation, mediation, arbitration, and responses to complaints.
- Communicate and negotiate with external parties (regulators, external counsel, public authority etc.), creating relations of trust.
- Review the existing policies, contracts and agreements.
- Maintain an archive of previous, existing, and future policies, contracts, agreements, and other forms of legal documents.
- Draft and solidify agreements, contracts, resolutions, and other legal documents to ensure the company’s full legal rights.
- Deal with complex matters with multiple stakeholders and forces.
- Provide clarification on legal language or specifications if required.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Compliance Key Responsibilities:
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the organization complies with all applicable laws and regulations. This includes monitoring changes in legislation and updating company policies accordingly
- Policy Development and Oversight: Develop, implement, and revise compliance policies and procedures to align with legal requirements and best practices
- Compliance Standards: Support the implementation of the Corporate Compliance Programme for the entire organization. For example: implementation of Key Commercial Anti Bribery, Privacy Compliance, Business Practice Processes and Systems, etc..
- Compliance Framework Enhancement: Review and continually simplify and streamline policies and procedures, integrating compliance controls into normal business activities and procedures to help achieve continued compliance and adherence to policy
- Ethical Advocacy: Champion Cerecin’s Values and Standards, Corporate Policies and Compliance Policies, fostering awareness and adherence throughout the organization
- Risk Assessment: Identify potential compliance risks (e.g. financial, legal risks) and develop strategies to mitigate them. This involves conducting regular assessments and audits to ensure adherence to compliance standards
- Training and Education: Provide training to employees on compliance-related issues, ensuring that all staff are aware of their obligations under the law
- Monitoring and Reporting: Support the implementation and operation of tracking/monitoring systems, conduct regular self-reviews, and manage compliance with local pharma industry association promotional codes. Prepare and present compliance reports to management, detailing compliance status and any issues that arise.
- Handle non-compliance situations: Investigate and report any violations of laws or regulations to management and regulatory bodies (as applicable). Provide advice and take action in dealing with serious violations, creating realistic plans to overcome them
- Liaison with Regulatory Bodies: Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies, managing communications and ensuring timely reporting of compliance matters
- Advice: Provide compliance advice to the business units/departments regarding day-today compliance related matters such as anti-bribery, sanctions/embargoes, anti-money laundering, anti-boycott, conflicts of interest, data privacy, labour law etc..
Qualifications:
- Educational Background: A bachelor's degree in law, finance, business administration, or a related field is typically required OR A bachelor’s degree in law with admission to the Singapore, UK/US, or Australia Bar would be preferred . Advanced degrees or certifications in compliance or risk management can be advantageous
- Experience: At least 10 years of working experience, IPO listing experience highly preferred .Relevant experience in compliance, legal affairs, audit or risk management is crucial. Familiarity with industry-specific regulations e.g. U.S. FDA, Singapore HSA, etc.. is a plus
- Knowledge: Good knowledge of compliance issues, particularly data processing and protection, sanctions, anti-corruption, conflict of interest, financial crimes, Excellent knowledge and understanding of corporate law
- Skills: Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, excellent communication abilities, and a thorough understanding of regulatory frameworks are essential for success as a Legal Compliance Officer. Full comprehension of the influences of the external environment of a corporate.
- High degree of professional ethics, integrity and agility.
- Good communication skills.
