Legal Director

Job Description

Job Title: Legal Director

Introduction to role

Are you motivated to step into a pivotal role that combines legal expertise with strategic leadership? At AstraZeneca (AZ), we are on a mission to become the #1 biopharmaceutical company in the UK and prevent cancer as a leading cause of death.

As the Legal Director, you'll be at the forefront of servicing the legal requirements for AstraZeneca UK (AZUK), advising on a wide range of legal issues, and playing a key role in compliance matters. You can expect to be a vital member of the Senior Leadership Team, leading and managing the Legal Department to ensure AZUK operates within a robust legal framework. This is your chance to create a significant impact!

Accountabilities

• Drafting and negotiating high-value, strategically important legal agreements for AZUK
• Advising the AZUK on pharmaceutical industry issues
• Advising on Business Development initiatives
• Servicing the legal needs of individual functions in AZUK
• Dealing with disputes, claims, and litigation
• Managing projects with legal implications
• Provide Data Privacy oversight for UK matters
• Ensuring AZUK conducts itself in an ethical and lawful manner
• Developing, implementing, and maintaining policies and procedures to address legal risks
• Being a member of Ethics Exceed and leader of External Collaboration Group (ExCite)
• Actively participating in the Local Compliance Committee, aiding members in understanding legal risks and prioritizing mitigation or remediation activities
• Being an active member of the UK SLT
• Providing strategic advice to the SLT on legal and compliance matters
• Offering objectivity and balance from a non-TA aligned perspective
• Managing Legal Department resources and instructions to external Counsel
• Creating an engaged team aligned with business goals
• Ensuring Legal team members are properly engaged with the business to provide timely and efficient leadership and advice
• Supporting the design and delivery of AZ's Transforming Care agenda in the UK

Essential Skills/Experience

• UK Qualified lawyer (solicitor or barrister)
• Significant experience PQE within highly regulated organisations
• Demonstrable leadership experience

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Previous pharmaceutical experience in-house
• General commercial legal expertise
• Line management experience

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca UK, we are committed to delivering against three missions:

• Accelerating the position of the UK as a global centre of excellence in life sciences
• Redefining healthcare through fast and equitable access to the most effective medicines, high quality care
• Delivering sustainable leadership that prioritises healthy people, society and planet

Our head office in Pancras Square offers us the strongest possible platform to transform the lives of patients, as the country’s leading biopharmaceutical company. It brings AstraZeneca UK closer to our customers, partners and collaborators in the UK’s healthcare environment, as well as develop greater collaboration with the wider AstraZeneca footprint.

At AstraZeneca, we are on a mission to bring life-saving medicines to patients worldwide. Our commitment to decreasing global mortality rates is unwavering as we shape the future by identifying scientifically-led commercial opportunities. We thrive on energy and pace, fostering an environment where innovation is encouraged. Our diverse team is empowered to experiment, learn fast from failures, and make a meaningful impact on patients' lives. Join us as we redefine what the next decade looks like for BioPharmaceuticals.

Ready to take on this exciting challenge? Apply now to be part of our journey!

Date Posted

14-Jul-2025

Closing Date

01-Aug-2025Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.