Country Legal & Compliance Counsel DACH

About this role

Who we are ?

Laboratoires Pierre Fabre employs more than 10 000 people in 41 countries.

The company's products can be found in all areas of the healthcare sector,

from prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines to dermo-cosmetics.

Your mission

About the Role

We are looking for a Country Legal & Compliance Counsel to join our Group Legal Direction, supporting our business operations across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Acting as a trusted business partner, you will deploy the global legal strategy locally, support sustainable growth, protect innovation, and uphold the highest standards of business ethics by providing pragmatic, solution-oriented advice.

You will be responsible for legal, ethics, and compliance activities at country level within a highly regulated environment (Pharma & Cosmetics).

Key Responsibilities

• As a Legal Counsel:
• Provide legal advice and support to country management and business functions on corporate governance, commercial operations, strategic projects, compliance, disputes, and litigation risks
• Act as legal partner for the country organization, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Group policies, and strategic objectives
• Assess and manage legal risks relating to strategic, complex, high-value, or sensitive matters, providing risk-based recommendations
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a wide range of commercial and operational agreements
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks, escalating key issues to the Line Manager
• Manage disputes and litigation matters, coordinating with Group Legal Direction and external counsel
• Support selection and management of external legal counsels; contribute to local legal budget management
• Monitor legal/case-law developments and advise the business on their impact
• Promote legal awareness through training and guidance across the organization
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Legal function, harmonizing practices and tools
• As a Compliance Counsel:
• Support, maintain, and continuously improve the local Ethics & Compliance Program
• Identify, assess, and monitor compliance risks; develop and implement corrective action plans
• Coordinate with key stakeholders (Legal, HR, Internal Audit, Internal Control, Risk Management, Group Compliance)
• Ensure compliance issues are appropriately evaluated, investigated, and resolved
• Lead or coordinate investigations into alleged violations of laws, regulations, or internal policies
• Monitor the effectiveness of the compliance program and recommend enhancements
• Develop and deliver compliance communications, awareness initiatives, and training programs
• Provide regular reporting and strategic advice to senior management on compliance matters
• Who you are ?

Requirements

• A postgraduate degree in business law (equivalent to a Master's 2 degree or German Staatsexamen 2nd)
• At least 4-7 years’ experience in a legal department and/or having practiced at a law firm or company, ideally in the pharmaceutical or cosmetics sectors.
• Knowledge of healthcare compliance and business law (antitrust, anti-corruption, advertising, pharma self-regulation, IP, commercial law, civil law, distribution law, data privacy)
• Proven experience in risk management and compliance

- Strong prioritization, organization, and decision-making skills

- Strong stakeholder communication and negotiation skills

• Ability to handle complex matters with autonomy and teamwork
• Solid business acumen and pragmatic problem-solving approach
• Digital proficiency and project management capabilities
• Fluent German and English required
• Knowledge of French is an advantage

Benefits

• An attractive and secure role at a forward-thinking pharmaceutical company based on the Pierre Fabre Foundation
• Two days of remote working per week, if desired
• An attractive range of additional benefits (Jobrad, a pension scheme that goes well beyond a 15 % employer contribution, staff shop for our dermo-cosmetic products, free skin screenings etc.)
• High-quality work equipment, including height-adjustable desks in an open-plan office
• Ongoing support through targeted coaching and training programmes
• A dynamic team in which trust, enjoyment of work and a spirit of camaraderie play a major role

We are convinced that diversity is a source of fulfillment, social balance and complementarity for our employees, which is why our offers are open to all, without restriction.