Senior Legal Counsel, Gulf / Levant & Saudi Arabia

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

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html