Associate Manager - Legal & Compliance

Shalina Healthcare · Mumbai, India

Job Title: Associate Manager – Legal & Compliance

Location: Mumbai, India

Department: Legal & Compliance

About Shalina Healthcare:

We are one of the largest, privately owned pharmaceutical businesses across Africa (Global Head Quarters- Dubai, UAE) with recent forays across multiple, new lines of businesses including Diagnostics and Consumer Healthcare.

Over the last 40 years, operating across multiple geographies, we have made it our mission to provide quality medicines to those who need it the most. We manufacture and distribute branded prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical and consumer products, across a broad range of therapeutic groups, including anti-malarial, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal, nutrition, oral care, dermatology, sexual well-being, and antiseptic liquids & soaps. Leading brands, great teams and a focus on influencing the well-being of people have made Shalina a household name in Africa.

We have a track record few can match, and our brands are among the most trusted in Africa. We are proud of our history and have big ambitions for the future. Our vision for 2030 is to be the health champion of Sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this, we are looking for the right people to join us and create a lasting impact not just within our company but on the communities that we serve; people who identify with our Core Values and are as passionate about our Mission as we are.

Role Summary:

The Associate Manager will be responsible for managing and protecting the Company's Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) portfolio across India, China, and Africa, while providing legal support on commercial contracts, legal compliance, litigation management, and enterprise risk mitigation. The role requires a commercially minded legal professional with experience in the pharmaceutical industry, sound knowledge of intellectual property laws, and exposure to cross-border legal matters. The incumbent will work closely with internal stakeholders and external counsel to safeguard the Company's legal interests and support its business objectives across multiple jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Management

• Oversee end-to-end management of trademarks, copyrights, and related IP assets across India, China and African markets.

• Conduct trademark availability and clearance searches, analyse search reports, identify legal risks, and provide recommendations on the registrability and use of proposed trademarks across India and international jurisdictions.

•Coordinate with external counsels and agents for filings, renewals, oppositions, and enforcement actions.

•Develop and implement IP protection strategies aligned with business objectives.

•Conduct IP due diligence and risk assessments for new product launches and market entries.

2. Contract Drafting & Vetting

•Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including:

o Distribution and Supply agreements;

o Procurement agreements;

o Warehouse/Logistics agreements;

o Lease agreements;

o Licensing and technology transfer agreements;

o Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs);

o Vendor and service agreements; and

o Engagement Letters.

•Ensure legal robustness while balancing commercial interests.

3. Legal Compliance

•Ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations in India and relevant African jurisdictions

•Ensure compliance with applicable manufacturing and factory-related laws, including the Factories Act, 1948 (and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020), labour laws, environmental regulations, health and safety requirements, and statutory approvals applicable to manufacturing facilities.

•Monitor changes in pharma regulatory frameworks and advise internal stakeholders

•Support compliance initiatives related to corporate governance, anti-bribery, and ethical practices

4. Litigation & Dispute Management

•Manage pre-litigation, litigation, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings by coordinating with external counsel and internal stakeholders.

•Handle intellectual property disputes, contractual claims, recovery matters, consumer complaints, and regulatory enforcement actions.

•Assist in developing litigation strategy, reviewing pleadings, notices, affidavits, and other legal documents, and provide timely legal advice on dispute resolution.

•Monitor case progress, ensure compliance with court and regulatory deadlines, and coordinate the collection of evidence and relevant documentation.

•Maintain accurate litigation records, legal documentation, and case management trackers, including monitoring legal costs, key milestones, and reporting to management.

•Explore and support amicable settlements, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms wherever commercially appropriate.

5. Stakeholder Advisory

•Provide legal guidance to business teams on risk mitigation and strategic decisions.

•Collaborate with cross-functional teams including regulatory, commercial, and finance.

•Conduct internal training sessions on legal and compliance matters.

Qualifications & Experience

•Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from a recognised university is mandatory; Master of Law (LL.M.) qualification will be an added advantage.

•6–10 years of post-qualification experience, preferably in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, life sciences, or FMCG industry.

•Demonstrated experience in managing domestic and international Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) portfolios, including trademarks, copyrights, patents, and IP enforcement.

•Strong experience in drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and advising on a wide range of commercial contracts.

•Exposure to cross-border legal matters, particularly across Africa, China, or other international jurisdictions, will be preferred.

•Working knowledge of pharmaceutical regulatory laws, manufacturing and factory compliance, corporate governance, and dispute management.

•Experience in engaging and managing external legal counsel, trademark agents, and regulatory authorities.

Key Skills & Competencies

•Strong knowledge of intellectual property laws, commercial laws, pharmaceutical regulations, and legal compliance requirements.

•Excellent contract drafting, legal research, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.