Head Counsel, Global Transactions & Contracts Legal – DD&T and BP
Zurich, Canton of Zurich Job ID R0182638 Category Corporate Functions Subcategory Corporate Functions Business Unit Corporate Functions Job Type Full timeBy clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use. I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.
Job Description
About the Role
Takeda is seeking a legal leader to join our Global Transactions & Contracts Legal (GTC Legal) team. As Head Counsel, GTC Legal, Data, Digital (DD&T), & Business Partner (BP) and a valuable member of the GTC Legal leadership team, you will lead a team of attorneys and legal professionals supporting global transactions and contracts across DD&T and key business partner functions, including Finance, HR, Legal, and Corporate Affairs.
This is a highly visible leadership role where you will lead novel, complex, high‑impact, high‑risk transactions while empowering Procurement and the business on routine contracting matters. You and your team will partner closely with Procurement and business stakeholders to drive business objectives and priorities through pragmatic, business-tailored legal advice, disciplined contracting, sound risk judgment, and scalable legal contracting infrastructure.
This role operates across multiple global time zones and legal jurisdictions. Success requires experience navigating regional legal nuances and evolving regulatory frameworks.
This position is based in Zurich, Switzerland. Employees must be located within a reasonable commuting distance of the Zurich office. A minimum of five (5) in‑office days per month is required; remaining days are remote.
How you will contribute
Strategic transactions and enterprise contracts
Lead the team to provide pragmatic, business-tailored legal advice and support for in-scope strategic transactions and enterprise contracts, including software and cloud agreements, software services, data licensing, A.I., machine learning, digital health, benefits administration services, recruitment services, contingent workforce/staffing, management consulting, and business process outsourcing.
Directly lead in-scope transactions and contracts where complexity, legal risk, business impact / priorities require senior leadership and judgment.
Serve as primary legal escalation point for issues of material risk, complexity, or deviation from standard positions.
Lead and oversee the team’s legal advice on pre‑contract activities, including due diligence, sourcing models, deal structures, and risk assessments.
Lead and oversee the team’s post‑signing legal support and advice on contract interpretation, disputes, amendments, renewals, and terminations.
Work in close collaboration with adjacent Takeda legal teams to ensure integrated legal advice and support to business clients, including DD&T Legal in support of the DD&T organization.
Global contracting infrastructure & enablement
Partner with Legal Operations, Procurement and business stakeholders to design, develop, implement, and maintain contracting infrastructure, including
Templates, playbooks, fallback positions, and legal guidance
Escalation frameworks and risk thresholds
Training, office hours, and best‑practice resources
Lead and oversee the team’s substantive legal input and advice on contracting infrastructure, which supports both Legal and Procurement/business‑led contracting.
Global risk awareness & continuous improvement
Collaborate with legal colleagues and other Takeda subject matter experts to maintain ongoing awareness of internal and external factors and trends that impact contracting risk and strategy, including:
Changes in laws, regulations, and internal policies
Geopolitical, economic, and public‑health developments
Market trends and supplier business models
Evolving negotiation norms and “market” positions for key contract terms
Incorporate these insights into transactional advice, negotiation strategies, and contracting infrastructure to improve quality, speed, risk mitigation, and business outcomes.
Leadership & team development
Lead and develop a team of transactions & contracts legal professionals aligned to DD&T and Business Partner functions.
Strategically allocate internal / external team resources based on risk, complexity, business priorities, and enterprise impact.
Partner with GTC Legal leaders to ensure consistency, alignment, and best‑practice sharing across the team.
Serve as a senior representative of GTC Legal with relevant executive‑level stakeholders.
What you bring
Qualifications
J.D. or equivalent legal degree is required.
Strong preference for candidates with at least 5 years of experience as in-house counsel leading a team of attorneys and legal professionals that advise and support IT, Business Partner functions, and Procurement on in-scope contracts and strategic transactions.
At least 10 years of experience is required as in-house or external counsel supporting contracts and strategic transactions within the global biopharmaceutical industry.
Deep experience required advising on key business, legal, and compliance risks associated with in-scope contracts and transactions, such as data rights, cybersecurity, data privacy/GDPR, risk allocation, A.I. risks, intellectual property rights, pharmacovigilance, quality, co-employment, anti-bribery, anti-kickback claims, sanctions, trade controls, financial transparency, and other relevant risks.
Experience implementing and working within strategic legal support models that empower business stakeholders and Procurement to independently prepare, negotiate and execute high-volume and routine contracts.
Experience collaborating productively and efficiently with subject matter experts within and outside the Law Department in support of in-scope contracts and transactions.
Key capabilities
Strong judgment and business acumen in balancing legal risk, business objectives, and execution speed.
Demonstrated ability to design, structure, and build an effective global team of attorneys and legal professionals, with both internal and external resources.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence senior stakeholders, and operate effectively in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments.
Ability to operate effectively across cultures, time zones, and regulatory environments.
Ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, practical, and business-aligned advice and solutions.
Technology forward mindset, including the ability to identify, adopt, and scale use of artificial intelligence and other digital tools.
Collaborative and influential leadership style.
Locations
Zurich, SwitzerlandBase Salary Range:
CHF212,500.00 - CHF292,160.00For information about our benefits, please click here.
