General Counsel

Our client is a leading global and responsible investor with US$302+ billion assets under management, five global offices and business investments in 50+ countries. While creating sustainable financial returns, they deliver impact and help find solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. As a business, they aim to double the size of their portfolio over the next decade.

The General Counsel will lead the legal function, ensuring compliance with Moroccan pharmaceutical laws, international standards, and company policies. This role is central to managing legal risk, supporting strategic initiatives, and maintaining best-in-class governance across operations.

Key responsibilities include overseeing contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, intellectual property protection, and dispute resolution. The role also involves liaising with Moroccan authorities such as the Ministry of Health, ANPM, and the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products, ensuring alignment with Law 17-04, Law 17-97, and recent reforms under Decree 2.24.327 and 2.24.346

Major Accountabilities

1. Legal Standards & Framework Development

• Develop and implement legal standards and frameworks specific to Phi’s pharmaceutical operations, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic and compliance objectives. Regularly update legal policies to reflect evolving regulatory landscapes and industry best practices. Provide legal guidance to Phi’s leadership on strategic initiatives and operational decisions.

2. Compliance Assurance

• Establish and monitor compliance systems to ensure Phi adheres to Morocco and international pharmaceutical regulations. Conduct regular audits and assessments, identify gaps, and implement corrective actions. Deliver training and resources to enhance legal awareness across Phi’s departments.

3. Corporate Governance

• Serve as Board Secretary, manage governance documentation, and ensure compliance with Moroccan Companies Law (Dahir No. 1-96-124).

4. Risk Management & Legal Advice

• Identify and mitigate legal risks related to Phi’s operations, transactions, and regulatory obligations. Provide strategic legal counsel on matters such as licensing, partnerships, and compliance. Support informed decision-making through risk analysis and legal recommendations.

5. External Relationships & Litigation Management

• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and regulatory bodies relevant to Phi’s operations. Oversee litigation and dispute resolution processes, ensuring protection of Phi’s legal interests.
• Collaborate with external advisors to ensure cost-effective and high-quality legal support.

6. Business Contract Review

• Review, negotiate, and finalize contracts including supply agreements, distribution deals, and licensing arrangements. Ensure contracts comply with the company's standards and operational goals. Promote contract management best practices across Phi’s teams.

7. Intellectual Property Management

• Advise on the protection and management of the Company’s intellectual property, including trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
• Oversee the trademark registration processes to ensure adequate protection of the Company’s brands and intellectual assets.
• Develop strategies to protect intellectual property rights against infringement and unauthorized use.

8. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead the legal department, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment focused on achieving departmental and organizational objectives.
• Set clear performance goals for legal team members, conduct regular performance evaluations, and provide professional development opportunities to enhance legal acumen and expertise.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the legal team to ensure adaptability to changing legal landscapes.

Education

• Bachelors degree - Law
• Master's Degree - Law specialisation in corporate/commercial/pharmaceutical law (preferred)
• Law (J.D.)
• Experience in compliance, intellectual property and pharma regulations

Experience

• Minimum 15+ years of legal experience, with at least 5 years in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry, preferably within Morocco or the MENA region
• Proven track record in corporate law, regulatory compliance, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), and intellectual property, with experience in multinational or regional pharmaceutical companies operating in Morocco.
• Strong knowledge of Moroccan healthcare laws, including: Law No. 17-04 on the Code of Medicine and Pharmacy; Law No. 17-97 on Industrial Property, as amended by Laws 31-05 and 23-13; Decree No. 2-14-841 on Marketing Authorization of Medicinal Products
• Familiarity with the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products (ANPM) and its role in drug safety, efficacy, and quality oversight.
• Experience in contract negotiation, litigation management, and corporate governance within Morocco’s legal framework, including arbitration and dispute resolution under Moroccan civil and commercial law.
• Previous work in a manufacturing or highly regulated industry in Morocco (preferred), with exposure to: import/export regulations; pharmaceutical traceability systems (e.g., serialization, batch tracking); compliance with GMP standards and post-market surveillance protocols.
• Understanding of international regulatory frameworks (WHO, ICH, PIC/S) and their integration with Morocco’s evolving pharmaceutical standards.

Specific Skills

• Expert knowledge of Moroccan pharmaceutical laws, including: Law No. 17-04 (Code of Medicine and Pharmacy); Decree No. 2-14-841 (Marketing Authorization of Medicinal Products); Order No. 2856-15 (Medical Devices Classification and GMP standards).
• Familiarity with regulatory bodies such as: Ministry of Health (MoH); Agence Nationale de la Pharmacie et des Produits de Santé; Direction du Médicament et de la Pharmacie (DMP).
• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks, including: GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices); GLP (Good Laboratory Practices); ISO 17025 for pharmaceutical quality control labs.
• Proficiency in contract law and corporate transactions under Moroccan civil and commercial codes, including licensing, distribution, and joint ventures.
• Substantive knowledge of corporate governance, including board responsibilities, legal liabilities, and governance protocols under Moroccan law.
• Ability to manage legal risks in manufacturing, marketing, and regulatory operations, especially in relation to MoH inspections, traceability systems, and import/export controls.
• Familiarity with international regulatory frameworks such as WHO, ICH, and PIC/S, and their integration with Morocco’s evolving pharmaceutical standards.
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills, particularly in dealings with Moroccan authorities, external counsel, and multinational partners.
• Fluency in Arabic and French (preferred), to facilitate legal documentation, regulatory submissions, and cross-border communications.
• Knowledge of Morocco’s anti-corruption, data protection (Law No. 09-08), and trade compliance laws, relevant to pharmaceutical operations and corporate ethics.

Behavior Competencies

1. Strategic Thinking

• The ability to see the big picture, anticipate future challenges, and align integration activities with long-term corporate objectives.

2. Problem-solving & Decision-making

• The ability to identify issues, assess risks, and develop structured solutions to drive seamless integration.

3. Influence & Executive Communication

• The ability to build trust, align executive stakeholders, and navigate ambiguity to gain buy-in on complex integration and transformation decisions.