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Job Title: Legal Counsel – Saudi Arabia

Path/Level: P4
Function: Legal
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Reporting to: META Hub General Counsel
Languages: Fluency in English and Arabic required

Overall Purpose of the Role

Provide expert legal counsel in Saudi Arabia, supporting business objectives, minimizing legal risks, and ensuring compliance with local and international laws and company policies. The role will serve as a key legal advisor to the META Hub General Counsel and collaborate with cross-functional teams across the region

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively advise on a broad range of legal matters, including corporate, commercial, regulatory, compliance, transactions, competition, anti-bribery, FCPA, sanctions, advertising, tax, IP, labor, and litigation issues.
• Monitor, interpret, and communicate changes in relevant laws and regulations affecting business operations in Saudi Arabia.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements and lead complex negotiations.
• Support the implementation and enhancement of internal controls and compliance programs.
• Partner with functional leaders and other Legal colleagues on diverse projects, ensuring the latest interpretations of applicable laws and standards are incorporated.
• Provide training to business teams on legal and compliance topics as needed.
• Anticipate and resolve complex legal matters, making decisions that impact processes and projects.
• Foster a culture of ethics and compliance, partnering with Ethics and Compliance colleagues.
• Serve as a single point of contact for Saudi, assigned portfolios or business units, providing day-to-day legal support.
• Participate in internal committees and cross-functional teams, contributing legal expertise to business strategies and decisions.
• Coordinate with internal and external counsel on government investigations, inquiries, and internal investigations as required.
• Collaborate across the META Hub and global Legal teams to ensure consistency and leverage best practices.
• Participate in internal committees and cross‑functional teams, providing legal insight into strategic initiatives.
• Anticipate and resolve complex legal issues, making decisions that impact processes, projects, and business operations.
• Manage interactions with external counsel and coordinate legal support for investigations, regulatory inquiries, and government matters.
• Support ad hoc legal projects, policy rollouts, M&A‑related tasks, and corporate initiatives as needed.
• Contribute to fostering a culture of ethics, compliance, and integrity within the affiliate.

Requirements

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university.
• Qualification to practice law in a relevant jurisdiction.
• MBA is an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years post‑qualification experience in an international law firm or in‑house team.
• Preferably experienced in pharmaceuticals, life sciences, healthcare, or other highly regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience advising business clients on complex legal issues in Saudi Arabia.
• Regional GCC or multinational environment experience preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken).
• Strong knowledge of local and international laws and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• High learning agility, analytical skills, and sound judgment.
• Ability to strategize and oversee implementation of legal strategies.
• Experience in cross-functional and cross-geographical collaboration.
• High commercial acumen with sound decision‑making abilities.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with an ability to craft practical, innovative solutions.
• Ability to manage legal risk in a highly regulated industry.

Key Relationships

• META Hub General Counsel
• Country Leadership Team
• Functional leaders across the region
• Ethics & Compliance
• Global and regional Legal colleagues
• Regulatory authorities
• External legal counsel

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.