Senior Legal Counsel

At Emerald Clinical, we are a global, full-service Contract Research Organization (CRO) with a rich heritage in the Asia-Pacific region. We are dedicated to advancing clinical research through scientific expertise and operational excellence, supporting biopharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostic customers across all trial phases, from registration to post-marketing.

Our therapeutic expertise spans renal, cardiometabolic, and oncology—areas where we make a significant impact on improving global health.

At the heart of our success is our ability to combine global reach with local knowledge. Our on-the-ground teams work closely with local communities, building trust and ensuring diverse, representative patient recruitment. By prioritizing people, we deliver better engagement, more accurate data, and faster results—bringing therapies to patients in need.

Why Join Us?

At our core, Emerald Clinical is committed to transforming clinical research by putting people first—both patients and our employees. By joining our team, you’ll be part of a global network of passionate professionals working together to deliver better research and outcomes for millions worldwide.

Here’s what makes us stand out:

• Purpose-Driven Work: You’ll contribute to clinical trials that genuinely improve lives, with a focus on therapies in renal, cardiometabolic, and oncology.

• Global Reach, Local Expertise: Our teams connect with local communities, building trust and meaningful engagement for every trial.

• Collaboration and Innovation: Work in a culture that values diverse perspectives and creative solutions to solve global health challenges.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Legal Counsel to lead our global legal function. This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing all legal operations, supporting business strategy, and ensuring compliance and risk mitigation across the organisation. You will serve as the principal legal advisor to the executive team and collaborate closely with leaders across global regions to guide us through ongoing growth and transformation.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic, international environment and is motivated to build and strengthen a scalable legal framework for a rapidly expanding CRO.

Your Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the global legal team, ensuring effective support across all regions.
• Provide strategic legal advice to the CEO, COO, CHRO, CFO, and wider executive leadership team.
• Develop, implement, and maintain legal frameworks, policies, and procedures that support regulatory compliance and mitigate organisational risk.
• Oversee contract negotiation, review, and management, including client agreements, vendor contracts, confidentiality agreements, and partnership arrangements.
• Advise on corporate governance, data protection/privacy, intellectual property, employment matters, and commercial disputes.
• Support M&A, investment activity, and other strategic corporate projects as required.
• Manage regulatory interactions and ensure the organisation complies with relevant laws in the UK, Europe, APAC, and the US.
• Oversee training and upskilling for internal teams to strengthen legal awareness and compliance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives within the legal function to support scalable business growth.

• Manage global compliance efforts and company secretarial efforts for all legal entities in coordination with outside vendors

• Manage global facilities portfolio with support from local team.  Responsible for legal aspects associated with facilities such as negotiating lease amendments and new lease agreements

• Responsible for corporate ESG reporting position and deliverable internally in addition to supporting external reporting requirements for customers and owners

• Manage global insurance policies to ensure effective coverage and cost management to support company operations

About You

• Qualified lawyer with 10 to 15 years of post-qualification experience in a global organisation, ideally within life sciences, CRO, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or another highly regulated sector.
• Strong leadership capability with experience overseeing legal teams and establishing effective legal processes.
• Proven experience in contract negotiation, risk management, governance, and regulatory compliance.
• Confident advising senior executives and capable of influencing at all levels.
• Skilled in managing complex, multi-jurisdictional legal matters.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance risk with business needs.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Able to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment and comfortable supporting a company undergoing growth and transformation.

What We Offer

We understand that great work happens when people feel valued and supported. That’s why we provide:

• Competitive Compensation: A tailored salary and benefits package to reflect your skills and experience.

• Flexibility: Enjoy hybrid or remote working arrangements, depending on your location and role.

• Career Growth: Access to a wealth of learning opportunities and a global network of scientific leaders to help you grow and develop in your role.

• Employee Wellbeing: Participate in programs and initiatives designed to promote work-life balance, health, and team connection, including global engagement surveys, recognition programs, and team-building events.

• Global Opportunities: Be part of a company with international reach, offering you exposure to diverse projects and clients.

Interested? Apply now and help us achieve our mission to improve the health of millions worldwide.