Senior Legal Manager

About Shalina Healthcare:

We are one of the largest, privately owned pharmaceutical businesses across Africa (Global Head Quarters Dubai, UAE) with recent forays across multiple, new lines of businesses, viz., Digital Healthcare, Diagnostics, Consumer Healthcare, etc.

Over the last 40 years, operating across multiple geographies, we have made it our mission to provide quality medicines to those who need it the most. We manufacture and distribute branded prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical and consumer products, across a broad range of therapeutic groups, including anti-malarial, anti-biotics, anti-inflammatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal, nutrition, oral care, dermatology, sexual well-being, and antiseptic liquids & soaps. Leading brands, great teams and a focus on influencing the well-being of people have made Shalina a household name in Africa.

We have a track record few can match, and our brands are among the most trusted in Africa. We are proud of our history and have big ambitions for the future. Our vision for 2030 is to be the health champion of Sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this, we are looking for the right people to join us and create a lasting impact not just within our company but on the communities that we serve; people who identify with our Core Values and are as passionate about our Mission as we are.

Role: Senior Manager - Legal

Location:

What you become a part of:

Sr. Manager Legal will lead the legal, compliance, and intellectual property functions of the organization with a strong focus on safeguarding business interests, driving compliance excellence, and enabling strategic growth. This role requires expertise in IPR, contract management, compliance, and litigation, with the ability to partner with leadership teams to support expansion, commercial deals, and regulatory needs across India and international operations.

What to expect:

Future Focus & Optimizing Current Operations

• Develop and maintain a consolidated legal database system for contracts, cases, and compliance records.
• Lead legal documentation and approvals for new plants and expansion projects.
• Provide legal support for corporate expansion, including entry into new geographies and product categories.
• Create and monitor compliance checklists for DRC, NIM, and other applicable laws.
• Support commercial transactions such as acquisitions, mergers, partnerships, and joint ventures by conducting legal due diligence and drafting agreements.
• Implement and manage centralized legal platforms to streamline workflows and improve legal accessibility.

Safeguard of Company’s Intellectual Property (IPR)

• Partner with R&D and business teams to provide IPR support for new product development.
• File, manage, and protect trademarks, patents, and copyrights across multiple jurisdictions.
• Proactively monitor potential infringements and take preventive legal action to safeguard brand assets.
• Ensure timely renewal, opposition handling, and defense of company IP portfolio.

Trademark, Copyright & Related Litigations

• Oversee all trademark and copyright registrations, filings, oppositions, and enforcement.
• Manage TM-related objections and litigations, coordinating with external counsels.
• Represent the company in IPR-related disputes before tribunals, courts, and authorities.

Counterfeit & Infringement

• Lead anti-counterfeit initiatives, including investigations and enforcement actions against infringers.
• Collaborate with enforcement agencies and law firms to protect company products and brand equity.
• Build an early warning mechanism for detecting counterfeit products in the market.

Contract Management

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts and agreements (e.g., vendor, distributor, licensing, R&D collaboration, manufacturing, clinical trial, and employment contracts).
• Develop and maintain standardized templates and processes for efficient contract lifecycle management.
• Minimize risks by ensuring proper contractual clauses for confidentiality, indemnity, IP, and dispute resolution.

Factory & Office Compliance

• Ensure factory and office-level compliance with applicable labour laws, environmental norms, pharma regulations, and statutory requirements.
• Provide legal oversight during audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions.
• Conduct training and awareness sessions for employees on compliance obligations.

Litigation Management

• Manage and oversee all litigations, including civil, criminal, labor, regulatory, and contractual disputes.
• Develop strategies for cost-effective resolution and minimize potential liabilities.
• Coordinate with external law firms and counsels, ensuring timely and effective representation.
• Maintain updated litigation trackers and provide regular reports to senior management/Board.

Qualifications & Experience

• LLB/LLM from a reputed law school; specialization in Corporate/Pharma/IPR Law preferred.
• 15–20 years of legal experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role in the pharmaceutical/healthcare industry.
• Strong exposure to IPR, contract negotiation, compliance, and litigation in pharma sector.
• Experience in handling multi-jurisdictional matters and working with global stakeholders.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep knowledge of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, pharma laws, corporate governance, IPR laws, and labour legislations.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to anticipate legal risks and provide practical solutions.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and business orientation.