Novo Nordisk

Associate Director, Legal, Ethics, Compliance, Quality

Novo Nordisk

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Office

Location: Sandton • South Africa

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Job Level

Senior

About the role

  • Provide strategic legal, ethics, compliance, and quality guidance to support business decisions and mitigate operational and regulatory risks
  • Act as the affiliate’s designated Local Legal Responsible and Information Officer in line with applicable South African legislation
  • Advise on and manage legal matters including contract drafting and review, litigation oversight, intellectual property considerations, and engagement with external legal counsel
  • Lead business ethics and compliance activities, including risk assessments, investigations, corrective action planning, and reporting
  • Collaborate closely with Global Internal Audit (GIA), Business Ethics Compliance Office (BECO), regional and global legal teams to implement corporate initiatives and ensure alignment with global standards.
  • Ensure the affiliate is audit-ready at all times, follow up on audit findings, and implement corrective and preventive actions
  • Oversee quality assurance activities, including the local Quality Management System, GMP/GDP compliance, inspections, and quality reviews
  • Ensure appropriate systems are in place for managing adverse events, technical complaints, and safety reporting in accordance with local and Novo Nordisk requirements
  • Lead, coach, and develop the local Legal, Ethics, Compliance and Quality team, ensuring competence, accountability, and strong patient safety focus.
  • Participate as a member of the affiliate leadership team, crisis response team, and Social & Ethics Committee, contributing to governance and strategic decision-making

Requirements

  • Master’s degree in law and admission to the Bar
  • Minimum 8 years of experience in legal, ethics, and compliance roles, preferably within a multinational healthcare or highly regulated industry
  • Proven leadership experience, including managing teams and cross-functional stakeholders
  • Strong expertise in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and quality systems
  • Excellent strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills
  • High ethical standards with strong judgment and decision-making capability
  • Ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate effectively in a complex, matrix environment
  • Strong communication skills and an “Own-the-Business” mindset
Benefits
  • Continuous opportunities for learning and development
  • Meaningful leadership responsibility
  • Benefits package designed to support your career and life stage
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
contract draftinglitigation oversightintellectual propertyrisk assessmentscorrective action planningquality management systemGMP complianceGDP complianceadverse event managementsafety reporting
Soft Skills
leadershipteam managementstrategic thinkinganalytical skillsproblem-solvingethical judgmentdecision-makinginfluencingcommunicationcollaboration
Certifications
Master’s degree in lawadmission to the Bar