Role title of Senior Legal Counsel, Global Procurement Services. Part of the leadership team for Global Procurement Services function (“GPS”) and reporting to [Head of Global Procurement Services] with dotted line to Assistant General Counsel, Corporate UK.

The Senior Legal Counsel Global Procurement Services line manages another Legal Counsel and works as a team of two lawyers independently, supporting GPS, managing legal risks of moderate business impact, liaising with the broader AZ Procurement Network and AZ Legal Function as appropriate.

Role based in Warsaw although the role supports the global remit of GPS.

Typical Accountabilities:

• Responsible for the management and  delivery of legal advice and services across GPS, primarily supporting the Source to Contract Group.
• Responsible for line managing and leading one existing lawyer in GPS.
• Responsible for implementing and further developing the legal support strategy and contracting framework for future GPS hubs outside Europe to realise efficiencies between Warsaw and those new hubs, manage external counsel efficiently and share best practice between hubs.  
• Drive a consistent risk based approach to contracting across  Source to Contract.
• Advising and negotiating more complex contracts handled by GPS.
• Proactively drives contract capability uplift across GPS, including delivery and further development of training, guidance and best practice relating to contract negotiations to enhance contracting quality, consistency and efficiency across GPS.
• Works closely with the Global Corporate Legal team and marketing company lawyers, ensuring consistent approach to the handling of legal queries and mitigating legal risks.
• Drives efficiencies in the end-to-end contracting process, including contract analytics, contract dashboards and workflow tools, leveraging capabilities from existing software solutions and identifying new solutions where needed.
• Drives improved Contract Compliance, supporting Procurement Head of Strategy and Operational Excellence.
• Closely aligns with the GPS Leadership Team (“PLT”).
• Advises the GPS Leadership Team on contracting risk and risk mitigation strategy for GPS.
• Delivers the appropriate level of service, from internal and external resources, at the lowest possible cost.
• Ensures collaboration with other Legal support areas to ensure a seamless service to stakeholders.
• Handles special projects assigned by PLT

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Essential

• Law degree
• Substantial legal practice experience, particularly in commercial law and intellectual property
• Experience working ‘in house’, supporting a Procurement organisation
• Experience of working strategically
• Experience of working in a global legal environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to explain often complex legal issues in an easy to understand manner
• Business oriented and pragmatic approach to problem solving
• Skill in analyzing and solving issues related to a wide variety of substantive legal areas
• Strong stakeholder management skills

Desirable

• Pharmaceutical or other regulated industry experience highly desirable
• Experience working in-house in a multinational company
• Experience supporting a Procurement organisation
• Experience working with ‘English law’ contracts
• Experience working with US state based contracts, and under civil based jurisdictions
• Experience of leading a team
• Experience of leveraging legal technology and contract automation tools

Key Relationships to reach solutions:

Internal (to AZ or team)

• GPS organisation and broader Procurement Network
• Head of GPS and PLT
• Specialist function team if applicable
• Corporate Legal, including Knowledge Manager

External (to AZ)

• 3rd party companies
• Other Legal Professionals
• Legal Associations

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.