Taylor Root is delighted to be the exclusive partner in the search for a Chief Legal Officer (CLO) for one of our clients in the pharmaceutical industry.
The Chief Legal Officer will report directly to the CEO and serves as a strategic partner to the Executive Team and Board, responsible for architecting and executing our clients global legal, compliance, and governance agenda.
This leader will build a scalable legal framework suited to a fast-growing, innovation-driven pharmaceutical business with deep expertise in a niche area within the pharmaceutical role blends hands-on dealmaking with enterprise risk management, disputes oversight, regulatory stewardship, and the professionalisation of a maturing legal central priority will be preparing the business for potential exit pathways, including private equity processes, strategic M&A scenarios, and IPO optionality.
Strategy and Risk Framework
1. Design and implement a comprehensive global legal strategy aligned with clients growth objectives.
2. Establish and maintain a robust enterprise risk management framework, including formal oversight of disputes, litigation, and contentious regulatory matters.
3. Serve as the executive authority on legal risk balancing commercial pace with strategic protection.
Complex commercial transactions
4. Oversee the delivery of a scalable, efficient global contracting function capable of handling high-velocity, high-complexity commercial deals.
5. Negotiate and close complex agreements, licensing, supply/manufacturing, and collaborative R&D environments.
6. Drive standardisation and automation initiatives to increase speed-to-signature without compromising risk posture.
Global regulatory compliance oversight
7. Ensure robust compliance across all relevant jurisdictions, with a focus on pharma-sector regulatory requirements, market authorisation pathways, quality systems, and promotional compliance.
8. Build effective compliance monitoring, reporting, and training programmes that support a culture of integrity across all regions.
Corporate governance and exit readiness
9. Strengthen governance structures, board processes, entity management, and reporting mechanisms across the global footprint.
10. Lead legal workstreams tied to exit readiness including data room preparation, corporate housekeeping, and governance uplift.
11. Support optionality for multiple exit paths.
Leadership and organisational development
12. Lead, mentor, and upskill the legal and compliance teams across multiple geographies.
13. Professionalise the organisation by elevating team capabilities, refining roles, and embedding best-in-class processes.
14. Coach and develop successor leadership, ensuring long-term functional sustainability.
Strategic transactions and M&A enablement
15. Support M&A and partnership activities from due diligence to integration planning.
16. Advise on strategic opportunities across the value chain, ensuring alignment with regulatory, commercial, and governance objectives.
As their new Chief Legal Officer, you will have regular interaction with the Board and the leadership team. Our client is has a values-driven, collaborative, entrepreneurial environment; fastpaced and challenging.
The Chief Legal Officer needs to bring a strong experience in:
17. Complex commercial transactions
18. Litigation and dispute management
19. Strong experience within the pharmaceutical industry
20. Regulated environment expertise
21. Team leadership & mentor attitude
22. PE-backed operating environment
23. M&A experience
24. IPO & Public Company Readiness
Do you want to know more, contact us for a confidential discussion.
The SR Group (UK) Limited is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.