We are currently looking for an inspiring leader to join our Legal division and continue our efforts to enable the business to bring life-changing treatments to patients worldwide.
If you are motivated to embrace a wide range of responsibilities with an independent mindset, we want to hear from you.
You will play a critical role in shaping the strategic direction of the company. This position involves overseeing legal affairs, guiding research and development initiatives, and driving business development efforts to ensure the company's growth and compliance with industry and market regulations. In this role you will be leading a team of legal professionals, and you will report to our General Counsel.
Key Responsibilities
You will be at the forefront of shaping our legal approach to cutting-edge science. As a trusted advisor across the organization, you will work closely with R&D and Business Development teams to navigate complex legal landscapes, enable innovation, and support strategic growth. Your contributions will be key to advancing our mission of bringing transformative treatments to patients and we hope that you are motivated to take on the following:
- Lead and develop a team of legal professionals, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and business-oriented legal function.
- Provide expert legal guidance across the organization, with a focus on regulatory compliance, contracts, and corporate governance.
- Draft, review, and negotiate complex agreements, including those related to partnerships, licensing, collaborations, and M&A.
- Support R&D initiatives by aligning legal strategies with scientific and business objectives, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
- Facilitate and manage strategic partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and external collaborators to advance innovation.
- Identify and assess new business opportunities, including strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions, contributing to the company’s growth agenda.
- Lead and support negotiations with key external stakeholders to secure value-creating deals and collaborations.
- Monitor industry trends and legal developments to proactively inform strategic planning, risk mitigation, and business decision-making.
Qualifications
To thrive in this role, you will bring a blend of legal expertise, strategic insight, and proven leadership. You are energized by guiding teams, shaping complex decisions, and collaborating across functions to enable innovation in a dynamic biotech environment. Furthermore, we hope that you can tick most of the following boxes:
- Law degree; admission to practice law in relevant jurisdiction.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in a legal role within the biotech or pharmaceutical industry.
- Proven track record in R&D management and/or business development.
- Strong understanding of biotech industry regulations, research and clinical development challenges, and contract negotiation.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Bonding to innovate
Our employees are fundamental to our success, and we continue to be able to attract and retain people with vast experience and talent. We have a unique culture, characterized by excellent teamwork and strong engagement across the organization.
Making bonds is at the core of everything we do. From discovering and developing the best new peptide drugs for patients, to engaging with our partners or connecting with each other.
We bond as a result of our entrepreneurial culture where our people are encouraged to pursue their ideas and turn them into reality. We are curious about each other’s knowledge and expertise.
We bond through curiosity and playfulness as a team, allowing ourselves to challenge common thinking and drive future innovation. Zealand Pharma is a place where everyone is heard and contributes to the success, we all want to experience.
The Zealand Pharma DNA builds on four values: (1) We are bold, (2) We empower people, (3) We work as one team, and (4) We can be trusted.
Let’s bond and be bold
We offer a combined compensation package which includes a base salary, pension, bonus, and a possibility to join our employee share program. We care about our employees’ well-being and offer health insurance, use of massage, fitness, and a range of social clubs and activities
To find out more about working at Zealand, visit https://www.zealandpharma.com/careers/zealand-as-a-workplace/
Interested? Please apply no later than 10th September, or as soon as possible. The applications will be reviewed as they come in.
For further information, please contact Senior Vice President, General Counsel Steven Turkington-Hansen on STurkingtonHansen@zealandpharma.com.
About Zealand Pharma A/S
Zealand Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ZEAL) is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of peptide-based medicines. More than 10 drug candidates invented by Zealand Pharma have advanced into clinical development, of which two have reached the market and three candidates are in late-stage development. The company has development partnerships with a number of pharma companies as well as commercial partnerships for its marketed products.
Zealand Pharma was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a team in the U.S. For more information about Zealand Pharma’s business and activities, please visit www.zealandpharma.com.