Senior Legal Counsel, Gulf / Levant & Saudi Arabia

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

As the primary legal advisor for the Gulf-Levant and Saudi Arabia Affiliates within AbbVie’s Middle East, Africa, and Russia (MEAR) Region, you will play a critical leadership role in safeguarding and advancing the business’s legal interests. This highly visible position partners directly with affiliate management teams, providing strategic and pragmatic legal counsel across a diverse set of commercial, operational, and compliance matters. Success requires expert business and legal judgment, advanced multitasking, and the ability to thrive independently within a fast-paced, multicultural environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a core member of Affiliates’ management and Intercontinental Legal teams, contributing legal insight to business strategy and operational execution.
• Advise on all legal aspects regarding AbbVie’s on-market and pipeline products, with particular focus on anti-kickback, antitrust, regulatory matters, advertising/promotional compliance, local manufacturing, new business models, distributor management, and commercial negotiations.
• Provide substantive legal guidance to Marketing, Medical Affairs, Market Access, and Regulatory Affairs, ensuring risk mitigation and compliant growth.
• Develop, review, and negotiate complex agreements, including third-party vendor, distributor, pharmacy, consulting, and service contracts, optimizing for business outcomes and legal protection.
• Provide clear advice to business clients and senior legal management on local laws focusing on areas of promotion, patient support, payer access, go-to-market strategies, and scientific exchange.
• Support in-country establishment transformations and work to unlock new business opportunities.
• Proactively identify, assess, and address legal risks; anticipate issues and create actionable, forward-thinking solutions for Affiliates’ management.
• Collaborate cross-functionally, facilitating compliance with law, corporate policies, and AbbVie’s Code of Conduct.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with stakeholders at all levels, translating legal requirements into practical business advice.
• Monitor and interpret changes in legislative and regulatory environments, keeping business partners informed and prepared.
• Drive legal strategy and support in cross functional meetings including MLOR meetings (Medical/Legal/OEC/Regulatory) and ACIF meetings (Affiliate Compliance Insight Forum).
• Design, deliver, and oversee legal training programs tailored for affiliate teams.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsels to ensure cost-effective, high-quality support.
• Resolve legal issues through skilled negotiation and project management; keep legal leadership informed of progress and developments.
• Promote AbbVie’s values and a strong culture of ethics, compliance, and diversity.

 

Additional Responsibilities:

• Advise on digital health, technology, and real-world evidence initiatives, navigating novel regulatory frameworks.
• Lead Affiliates’ crisis management and incident response from a legal standpoint.
• Act as primary legal contact for cross-border matters affecting both Affiliates, ensuring harmonized guidance and execution.
• Identify emerging legal trends and develop innovative strategies to support business growth and compliance.

Basic Qualifications:

 

• Law degree from a reputable university; international legal qualifications are advantageous.
• Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience, ideally in pharmaceuticals or a highly regulated sector.
• Extensive legal experience in the UAE or Saudi Arabia is required.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership, with a proven ability to advise and influence senior management in complex scenarios.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple matters independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; adept at working within multicultural and cross-functional teams.
• Sound commercial judgment and creative problem-solving capabilities.
• Commitment to equal opportunity and fostering diversity (Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled).

 

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

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