Lead Counsel Germany (f/m/d)

By 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 To support our Legal Team in Berlin, we are currently looking for an experienced Lead Counsel (f/m/d) in the field of pharmaceutical law. As a senior member of our German Legal Team you will utilize your extensive experience and expertise to provide strategic and high-quality legal support to Takeda in Germany. In this role, you will serve as a trusted legal advisor to the business and corporate functions, handling a broad range of legal matters independently, from routine day-to-day support to complex and high-impact matters, while contributing to legal strategy, governance, and risk management across the German organization. This is a Director-level senior individual contributor role reporting to the Head Counsel, Germany. The role has no direct reports but requires strong leadership through influence, deep subject matter expertise, and the ability to lead complex cross-functional matters. How you will contribute: Provide high-quality, pragmatic legal advice and support to the German commercial organization, product/disease area groups and corporate functions as a senior legal business partner, particularly in the following areas: pharmaceutical and regulatory law,    digital initiatives, incl. medical devices law,                 competition (incl. Healthcare Advertising Law) and antitrust law, general civil and commercial law, litigation, intellectual property, reimbursement issues. Serve as a lead legal advisor on complex, high-risk, and business-critical matters in Germany, balancing legal risk with business objectives. Draft, review, negotiate and advise on a broad range of contracts, including commercial contracts for the supply of goods and services, other project agreements, IIR and/or non-interventional study agreements etc. Develop, update and maintain certain legal templates and guidance materials to drive consistency, efficiency, and compliant business practices. Design and deliver Legal training to internal stakeholders and create respective supporting materials where required. Analyze legal, regulatory and commercial risk and provide support to compliance colleagues. Manage litigation matters (through external counsel) as required, including strategic oversight and coordination with internal stakeholders. Support on local corporate matters if required. Ensure legal processes and develop corresponding SOPs where required.   Support the adoption and effective use of digital, legal tech, and AI-enabled tools within the Legal function to enhance efficiency, consistency, and service delivery. Support regional legal projects where required, in close coordination with legal colleagues across the region and global functions. Act as a senior legal team member and trusted point of contact within the department, providing guidance, knowledge sharing and informal mentoring to more junior team members and supporting their development where appropriate, without formal line management responsibility. Support the Head of Legal Germany in ensuring continuity of legal leadership, including independently representing the Legal function in selected forums, as appropriate. Build strong relationships with senior business stakeholders and contribute to the development and execution of legal and business strategy in Germany. Expected skills  Education Fully qualified lawyer (“Volljurist”) in Germany with above-average state examination results. Experience Strong knowledge of German commercial and pharmaceutical law, gained at a highly regarded law firm and through in-house experience. 2+ years experience at a highly regarded law firm (after qualification) is required. Significant post-qualification legal experience, ideally 8+ years in relevant roles. Strong experience representing clients in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry in Germany. Proven ability to handle complex legal matters independently and advise senior stakeholders. Experience in a dynamic, international, and matrix environment. Knowledge of medical devices law is an advantage. Experience in leading cross-functional projects, disputes, or strategic initiatives without necessarily having formal line management responsibility is preferred. Key Skills Clean and effective communication, conveying complex legal issues in a concise, practical and business-oriented way. Business fluency in German and English (spoken and written). Excellent judgment, assessing legal and commercial risks pragmatically and translating them into actionable business advice. Strong stakeholder management and influence, effectively engaging senior leaders and collaborating across a matrix organization High degree of autonomy, independently managing complex matters with accountability for outcomes. Trusted team player, building strong, credible relationships across functions and levels Strategic and hands-on approach, combining long-term thinking with practical execution. High integrity and professionalism, ensuring sound decision-making, including in sensitive situations. Breadth and flexibility, operating across diverse legal topics in a dynamic environment. Digital and innovation mindset, leveraging legal tech and AI tools in a pragmatic, compliant, and business-oriented manner. Solution-driven and pragmatic, focused on enabling business outcomes while managing risk. Locations DEU - Berlin - Wirtschaftswunder Base Salary Range: €124,800.00 - €171,600.00 For information about our benefits, please click here. Worker Type Employee Worker Sub-Type Regular Time Type Full time