(Senior) Legal Director

Essential Functions of the job:
• Technical Operations: Lead legal support for Guangzhou and Suzhou manufacturing sites, supply chain, procurement, quality and related operational activities. Draft, review and negotiate manufacturing, supply, services, equipment, logistics and other operational agreements; advise on business continuity, supplier issues and operational projects.
• Enabling Functions: Partner with enabling functions, including Finance, GTS and other corporate functions within the assigned portfolio. Provide practical legal advice on functional initiatives, procurement, technology arrangements, employment-related matters and corporate processes, engaging specialist counsel as appropriate.
• Franchise Business Partnership: Act as the primary legal partner to an assigned business franchise. Support business planning, product launches, commercialization, market access initiatives and third-party arrangements, working closely with Commercial, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Compliance and other stakeholders.
• Legal Risk and Issue Management: Identify and assess legal risks, recommend proportionate solutions and escalate material matters promptly. Support disputes, inquiries and remediation within the assigned portfolio in coordination with relevant legal specialists and functions.
• Cross-functional and Global Collaboration: Coordinate with local, regional and global Legal, Compliance, Privacy & Data Ethics, Intellectual Property and other specialist teams to deliver aligned advice, clarify responsibilities and support consistent implementation of company policies.
• Legal Capability and Operational Excellence: Develop practical training, templates, playbooks and review processes. Monitor relevant legal developments, translate them into actionable business guidance and manage external counsel effectively, including scope, quality and cost.
• Team Leadership: Lead a team of two, set clear priorities, allocate work and provide hands-on coaching. Build a collaborative, accountable and business-oriented team while maintaining direct ownership of complex and high-priority matters.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Two direct reports. Responsible for team priorities, workload allocation, coaching, development and delivery of high-quality legal support across the assigned portfolio.
Other Qualifications:
• Substantial relevant post-qualification legal experience, with a strong track record in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or broader life sciences sector; a combination of reputable law firm and multinational in-house experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting manufacturing, supply chain or technical operations, together with commercial legal support. Experience advising enabling functions is highly desirable.
• Strong grounding in Chinese laws relevant to the portfolio, including contracts, pharmaceutical operations, competition, employment and data protection, with the ability to recognize when specialist advice is needed.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and analytical skills; able to translate complex issues into concise recommendations and workable options.
• Strong business judgment, integrity and ownership; comfortable balancing strategic advice with hands-on execution in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated people leadership and coaching capabilities, with the ability to develop talent and manage competing priorities across a small team.
• Excellent written and spoken Mandarin Chinese and English, with the ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate effectively across cultures and functions.