Legal Director, UK, Ireland & Nordics in Leeds

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

DePuy Synthes is recruiting for a Director, UK/Ireland and Nordics, located in Leeds, United Kingdom. Johnson & Johnson announced plans to separate our Orthopedics business to establish a standalone orthopedics company, operating as DePuy Synthes. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed within 18 to 24 months, subject to legal requirements, including consultation with works councils and other employee representative bodies, as may be required, regulatory approvals and other customary conditions and approvals. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the transaction, you would be an employee of DePuy Synthes and your employment would be governed by DePuy Synthes employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans.

The Director, UK/Ireland and Nordics serves as the senior legal advisor for DePuy Synthes across UK/Ireland and Nordics region. This role provides legal and operational counsel to senior business leaders, enabling compliant growth, risk-informed decision-making, and sound commercial execution within a highly regulated medical devices environment. This role partners closely with commercial, supply chain, regulatory, and government affairs teams, and plays a critical role in managing risk, supporting complex transactions, and shaping ethical business practices in a highly regulated environment. The position acts as a trusted partner to UK/Ireland and Nordics leadership and collaborates with Privacy, Health Care Compliance and other functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal advisor for DePuy Synthes in UK/Ireland and Nordics regions, advising senior business and functional leaders on legal and compliance matters.
• Provide legal guidance on healthcare compliance, regulatory matters, advertising and promotion, product liability, legal disputes, and interactions with healthcare professionals and institutions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including distributor, customer, government, consulting and strategic alliance contracts.
• Identify, assess, and manage legal and compliance risks, developing practical mitigation strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Partner closely with regional Health Care Compliance and Privacy teams to ensure alignment with company policies and standards.
• Support investigations, disputes, regulatory inquiries and litigation matters in coordination with in-house and external counsel and manage legal spend.
• Monitor changes in local and regional laws affecting the medical devices industry in UK/Ireland and Nordics regions, proactively advising the business on implications.
• Support ethics, compliance training initiatives, and promote a strong culture of integrity across the region.
• Champion the transformation of legal service delivery through the effective use of AI, automation, digital platforms, and emerging technologies.
• Reimagine legal workflows and operating models to deliver legal services more efficiently to drive greater business value.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) required. Qualified solicitor/barrister (UK or Ireland) required. Advanced legal or business degree (LLM, MBA) preferred.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Significant post-qualification experience (typically in the region of 10-12 years, though candidates with less experience who can demonstrate the requisite level of expertise are also encouraged to apply).
• Senior in-house or equivalent experience advising regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of UK/Ireland and Nordics regions healthcare, regulatory, and commercial law.
• Strong negotiation, drafting and contract interpretation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, commercially grounded and pragmatic legal advice to senior business leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing complex commercial contracts, legal risk mitigation, and external counsel.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives and drive organizational outcomes.
• Strong business acumen, judgment and integrity, with the adaptability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-evolving global organization.

Preferred

• Experience in healthcare, medical devices, or highly regulated industries.
• Knowledge of compliance programs, corporate policies, and governance frameworks.
• Experience working in multinational or global organizations.
• Ability to influence external regulatory environments and industry discussions.
• Track record of mentoring and developing legal talent.
• Familiarity with cross-border legal operations and regional commercial strategies.

Other

• Language requirements – English (fluency required).
• Travel – Approximately 10-20% across the UK, Ireland, and occasionally internationally.
• Certifications – Active legal practicing certificate (preferred/required depending on jurisdiction).
• Valid driver’s license may be required.