Group Legal Counsel (Europe Commercial)

Aspen, a dynamic entrepreneurial pharmaceutical company, is looking for an individual commercial lawyer to join our Aspen Legal team, with this position being based in Dubai. As a European-qualified lawyer, you will be responsible for proactively and efficiently facilitating the commercial business of Aspen including, certain companies in Europe and the Middle East (“Aspen”) by efficiently servicing the legal, contracting and commercial legal advice, including from time to time, corporate, regulatory, compliance, litigation and other general legal requirements of Aspen, complying with Aspen Legal protocol and strategy, working as a team in the Group Legal structure, directed out of the headquarters, with strategic direction from the Headquarters based Group Executive: Legal. 

The below is not exhaustive and includes the following, but is not limited to:

General

• Commercial drafting and commercial legal advice
• Be responsible for the general legal affairs of Aspen;
• To provide sound general commercial legal advice; 
• Be responsible for dispute resolution and litigation management;
• Further, to ensure that all Aspen business activities are carried out in compliance with applicable laws.

  Commercial Agreements

  
  
• Responsible for drafting and vetting of complex corporate/commercial agreements including inter alia: supply, distribution, manufacturing, sales and marketing, service level and related pharma agreements;
• Where required, manage Aspen’s active agreements for the purposes of identifying Aspen’s rights and obligations in terms of these agreements;
• Manage the execution process of agreements through to filing in the ACL repository.

  Legal Opinions – Legal Solutions

  
  
• Identify the risk profile of the allocated Aspen companies with regards to exposure in, inter alia commercial agreements and offering solutions;
• Provide solution-orientated general commercial and other legal opinions so as to facilitate business;
• Update Aspen with legislative amendments, recommend and oversee implementation of any necessary changes;
• Advise on Labour Law requirements and principles.

  Intellectual Property

  
  
• Liaising with the Group Executive: Legal and/or Group Head: Legal Counsel IP on all IP-related matters, when necessary.

  Litigation

  
  
• Decide on litigation process to be followed, prospects of success and whether to proceed;
• Manage litigation process;
• Determine the correct approach to litigious matters by assessing and analysing the merits of each matter.

  Customer Service

  
  
• Follow up, resolve and close all queries in the shortest possible timeframe within the policy framework;
• Sense of urgency;
• At all times have a positive, energetic, business facilitating attitude;
• Display a professional attitude when responding to customer’s needs;
• Propose, develop and continuously update methods for improving customer services;
• Constantly update internal and external customers as to the progress of their queries/instructions.

Signed Agreement Repository

• Ensure the safekeeping of all signed Aspen agreements in accordance with the Aspen Group protocol, in the Aspen Group system, ACL.

  Legal Reporting to management and to Group

  
  
• Prepare and submit monthly legal reports indicating activity and manage targets against such;
• Prepare litigation reports and submit same.

  Legislative Compliance and reporting

  
  
• Prepare compliance reports and checklists;
• Explanation of legislation and compliance reports;
• Manage adherence to the compliance framework of the Group;
• Keep up to date with legislation – examine changes / industry trends and changes, raise awareness of changes and implementation of legislation in applicable jurisdictions.

  Learning & Growth

  
  
• Gather information about development needs;
• Negotiate training and development with the Line Manager;
• Identify, propose and implement learning solutions according to ongoing personal and team development plans;
• Encourage best practice to ensure expertise;
• Ensure optimal use of electronic support systems from Group, including the File Management System (FMS), the Aspen Contracts Library (ACL);
• Encourage best practice to ensure expertise. Co-ordinate up-skilling and multi-skilling in line with team development

Position Requirements

Level of Education Required:

Name of Qualification

Bachelor Degree - Applicable Degree in Law, qualified as a Solicitor in a European Country, preferably England & Wales or Ireland. Other ancillary qualifications are an advantage

Master’s Degree - Relevant post graduate qualification an advantage

Experience Required:

Field of Experience

Language Skills - Excellent corporate written, spoken, and legal drafting English underpinned by a can-do attitude

10+ years legal experience in a corporate/commercial/operational legal environment - Experience in the pharmaceutical sector is preferable

-   Sound commercial knowledge and experience

-   General business acumen

-   Experience in negotiating and drafting legal agreements

-   Ability and willingness to work effectively in a team

Technical Skills/Other Requirements:

Level Required

MS Office - Proficient

Membership of professional body or law society - Yes

Contract drafting and communication skills, positive facilitating approach; ability to close matters in shortest possible time;  time management and keeping; problem solving; analytical skills; solutions orientated; service orientation; robust interpersonal skills; computer literacy; communication skills; planning and negotiation skills; conflict resolution; ability to deal with uncertainty – seeking remaining detail - Yes

Aspen Competencies

BUSINESS

Performance Driven

Foster Consumer and Customer Commitment

PEOPLE

Dealing with ambiguity Embrace Change

Communicate effectively

SELF

Contribute special expertise

Take action with integrity

Key Attributes

BUSINESS

Multi-tasking

Results oriented

Systems thinking

Planning and organisational skills

Focus

Market knowledge

Aspen knowledge

Consumer relevancy

Cooperation

Proactive

Responsibility & Accountability

PEOPLE

Transition management

Capacity for and resistance to Stress

Perseverance and tenacity

Informal communication skills

Active listening skills

Writing skills

SELF

Curiosity / learning agility

Self-awareness

High standards

Technical / professional knowledge

Industry knowledge

Personal responsibility

Self-assurance

Ethical conduct