Head of Legal, Egypt

About the role

AstraZeneca is looking for a Head of Legal, Egypt, based in Cairo. You will be the principal legal partner for a science-led business, leading legal advice across Egypt autonomously while aligned with the Area Legal Director for the Middle East and Africa. You will work with senior leaders, cross-functional teams and regional and global legal colleagues to anticipate risk, unlock opportunities and drive disciplined, compliant growth.

Key responsibilities

• Define and implement the legal strategy and annual plan for Egypt, aligned to global priorities and business objectives
• Identify, assess and mitigate legal and regulatory risks across commercial, regulatory and corporate activities, ensuring compliance with local laws and international standards
• Provide objective, business-focused advice on contracts, regulatory matters, competition, anti-bribery and corruption, investigations and dispute resolution
• Oversee planning, execution and completion of legal projects and matters, including scope, timelines, budgets, quality and supervision of external counsel
• Build partnerships with Egypt leadership, cross-functional teams and regional and global legal colleagues
• Champion ethics, transparency and right-first-time working, supporting internal investigations, remediation and continuous improvement
• Design and deliver training, templates, playbooks and process improvements to raise legal literacy and efficiency
• Engage with regulators and external stakeholders where appropriate, and frame litigation and investigation strategies
• Lead through matrix and project structures without direct reports, coaching teams and directing external counsel

Required profile

• Recognized law degree and qualification as a lawyer
• At least 7 years of experience as a lawyer in a major law firm or in an internal corporate counsel role with an international company (preferably in a regulated industry)
• Experience managing commercial legal matters, litigation and investigations, and corporate risk
• Fluency in Arabic and English; French is a distinct advantage

Required skills

• Commercial legal management, litigation and investigations, corporate risk
• Strong drafting skills and business acumen
• Proactive, team-oriented approach and excellent communication