General Counsel - Life Sciences - UK or Europe

Our client, an established and developing global life sciences services organisation, now seeks a General Counsel to lead the business and it's legal team.

This leadership role will act as both legal and business advisor to the board and company overall and oversee all legal and compliance issues through the management of the existing international legal team.  The role involves active participation in reviewing and approving business strategy; management of legal risk; ensuring compliance requirements are met; drafting and negotiation of key commercial agreements/transactions (cross-border M&A experience being an important factor); providing legal advice and support across the organisation on a wide range of topics.    

The role is best suited to someone who combines high level substantive legal skills with the ability to both lead a team and partake in both the strategic and day to day running of a fast moving business.  You will be an experienced lawyer, qualified either in the UK or another European jurisdiction, with strong international experience (any US experience will be an important value added), ideally gained from within a similar services based life sciences industry but other life sciences backgrounds will also be considered. Publicly listed company experience will also be preferable. The role would either suit a General Counsel in a similar sized company or a No. 2 lawyer from a larger organisation who is ambitious to progress to the next level and become a General Counsel.

In addition, it is important that candidates have the strategic, leadership and interpersonal attributes necessary for success in this role, including the strategic leadership capability and gravitas to operate as a peer at Executive level with sensitivity to cultural and character differences of directors and the rest of the Executive Team and company.  You will also be commercially savvy, tenacious and confident and have the ability to communicate effectively and influence as required.

For a confidential discussion about this outstanding key opportunity please contact Rob Baron of Baron Crawford."