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.co.uk. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job DescriptionLegal Director, UK and Ireland
- Reports to Area Counsel, Europe
- Location - Maidenhead, UK (working in office Tue, Wed & Thurs)
- Part of the Senior Leadership Team
Role Overview
Working closely with the Area Counsel and Europe Legal Leadership team, the role will provide hands-on legal support focused on business-oriented and creative legal solutions on a wide range of matters.
As a strategic business partner, the individual will focus on continuously building an effective legal support function addressing the most pressing legal challenges in the UK and Ireland and driving/protecting the business in a proactive way.
The individual will also join the management team in the UK and play a leadership role in that forum bringing legal expertise and support on business and culture related matters.
Given the external environment for pharma in the UK and Ireland, EU and globally, the role will partner closely with cross functional partners to shape the policy agenda and play a leading role in Trade Association engagement.
There will also be opportunities to work in our International legal community on cross-border topics such as AI and competition law.
Core Role
- Provision of legal advice and strategic legal thinking focused on business-oriented solutions on a wide range of matters. In particular, legal market access issues, medicines tendering, competition law, procurement law, pharmaceutical law/advertising, commercial law and general risk management (e.g., ABPI/IPHA Code compliance, ABAC).
- The role will require the negotiation and preparation of an extensive range of agreements and, in some cases, negotiations with payors.
- Monitor and proactively address with cross functional partners including GM, Government Affairs and Market Access changes in laws and the external environment that affect the business. For example, the dynamic in the UK created by the US Most Favored Nation pricing policy (MFN). This part of the role will include driving AbbVie’s objectives at the Legal Committee of the ABPI.
- Train the business on key legal developments and develop practical checklists and working tools for the business to facilitate their work.
- To the extent that complex problems or specific technical expertise is required, select and direct the work of outside counsel.
- Continuously develop a solid knowledge of AbbVie´s business and organization and knowledge of the broader business impact of decisions made.
Experience:
- Law school degree. Qualification in England & Wales or Ireland an advantage.
- Professional legal expertise, preferably in an international environment, ideally at a law firm and/or multinational company.
Competence and Skills:
- Highly motivated, flexible, independent with capability to take initiative.
- Strong integrity, and strong communication skills.
- Ability to prioritise and manage workload with outside counsel where needed.
- Solution-oriented, with ability to proactively identify solutions to complex legal and business challenges.
- Work independently but with supervision where required.
- Cultural sensitivity to working in a multi-national company and the ability to work effectively in cross functional teams.
AbbVie's UK offices in Maidenhead prioritize accessibility and employee well-being, creating a welcoming environment for everyone. The office includes a large car park for easy access, as well as step-free entry, accessible restrooms, and elevators to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges. The workspace features assistive technologies and adaptable workstations, fostering an inclusive culture. Additionally, there is a dedicated quiet zone for those who prefer to work without distraction. This area maximizes natural light and is strategically positioned for easy access with minimal noise disturbances. If you need specific information or have questions about accessibility arrangements, please let us know during the process.
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
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
Skills Required
- Law school degree
- Qualification in England and Wales or Ireland
- Professional legal expertise
- Experience in an international environment, ideally at a law firm or multinational company
- Ability to provide legal advice and strategic legal solutions across commercial and pharmaceutical matters
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to prioritize and manage workload, including outside counsel
- Ability to identify solutions to complex legal and business challenges
- Ability to work independently and cross-functionally in a multinational company
- Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
AbbVie Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AbbVie and has not been reviewed or approved by AbbVie.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs are portrayed as a standout, with a dollar‑for‑dollar 401(k) match up to 6% and an additional annual company contribution based on age and service. Feedback suggests this materially boosts perceived total compensation for many U.S. employees.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental and caregiver leave are emphasized, including up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave for all parents and 4 weeks of paid caregiver leave in the U.S. Feedback suggests these policies are a meaningful differentiator for employees balancing family needs.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is described as extensive, with tiered vacation that scales with tenure, 17 company holidays, and two paid volunteer days in the U.S. Feedback suggests the breadth of leave contributes notably to overall benefits satisfaction.
AbbVie Insights
What We Do
AbbVie is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on creating medicines and solutions that put impact first — for patients, communities, and our world. We aim to address complex health issues and enhance people's lives through our core therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, aesthetics and other areas of unmet need.
