Head of Legal, Compliance, Privacy and Risk

About the role

Roche is looking for a Head of Legal, Compliance, Privacy and Risk for its pharmaceutical business in South Africa. Reporting directly to the General Manager, the role serves as a strategic partner to the leadership team, shaping legal and governance strategy and safeguarding the company's license to operate. It leads the risk, compliance, privacy and legal frameworks and empowers cross-functional teams to make compliant decisions.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with executive leadership, the Board of Directors and global networks to steer corporate strategy, manage complex commercial contracts and oversee litigation and regulatory matters
• Design, embed and oversee the affiliate-wide risk and opportunity framework, acting as company Risk Manager
• Serve as Data Privacy Officer (Information Officer), leading compliance under POPIA and PAIA and promoting data stewardship
• Act as Company Secretary: guide Board and sub-committee agendas, manage statutory documentation and maintain company records
• Direct compliance monitoring, internal audit reviews and training, and contribute to transformation and B-BBEE initiatives
• Coach and develop team members

Required profile

• LLB degree (or equivalent) and admission as an Attorney or Advocate
• 10+ years of corporate legal commercial experience in the pharmaceutical, healthcare or life-sciences sectors
• 3 to 5 years advising boards and executive leadership, preferably in a multinational setting
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally; relocation benefits are not available

Required skills

• Thorough knowledge of the South African Companies Act, labour legislation, POPIA and PAIA
• General commercial contracting, competition law and healthcare regulations
• Ability to turn complex statutory frameworks into practical, business-enabling advice