Sr. Mgr, Portugal, MISSA & South AfricaVerified as a real position

Who we’re looking for

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree   recognised   in a relevant   jurisdiction   ( eg   England,   EU ,   US   or South Africa )   required
• Admission to practice law in   a relevant jurisdiction
• Advanced business or legal specialization (e.g., LLM, MBA) preferred
• Typically requires   at least   8 - 10   years of relevant legal experience in a corporate or law firm environment aligned with manager-level roles
• Strong knowledge of international legal and regulatory frameworks, particularly within healthcare or MedTech industries
• Proven ability to identify, assess, and mitigate legal and compliance risks in complex, multi-country environments
• Experience managing contract drafting, negotiation, and execution across a variety of business agreements
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and provide clear, practical legal advice to business leaders
• Strong leadership and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Experience supporting operations across Europe, Middle East, or Africa regions
• Prior experience in Legal & Compliance within a global matrix organization
• Familiarity with healthcare regulations, commercial compliance, and industry standards
• Exposure to legal technology tools, process optimization, and automation initiatives
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, evolving business environment
• Strong business acumen with a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset
• Languages: English   required ;   additional   European or regional languages (e.g., Portuguese) are a plus
• Travel: Up to 25% international travel may be required
• Certifications: Active legal qualification/license preferred

What you’ll do

• Provide strategic legal support for distributor and indirect market operations,   advising   the business on the structuring, appointment, management, and termination of distributor relationships across multiple   jurisdictions
• Draft,   review   and negotiate complex commercial agreements relating to distributor markets, including distribution, agency, channel partner, sales, supply, marketing, service, and related commercial arrangements
• Support business growth in distributor markets by enabling expansion, managing legal risk in new channel models, and developing pragmatic, scalable legal solutions that balance compliance with commercial   objectives .
• Manage disputes and performance issues involving distributors and channel partners, including escalation, enforcement of contractual rights, and coordination with external counsel where   required
• Provide   legal guidance to business leaders across Portugal, MISSA, and South Africa to ensure alignment with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies
• Manage and oversee legal risk assessment, mitigation strategies, and compliance initiatives across assigned markets
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, partnering cross-functionally with commercial, finance, compliance, and other teams
• Serve as liaison with external counsel and regulatory bodies, ensuring effective management of legal matters and outside counsel activities
• Drive consistency and efficiency in legal processes, including development and implementation of policies, procedures, and tools
• Lead and support regional legal projects and initiatives aligned with business priorities and organizational strategy
• Monitor and interpret legal and regulatory developments, providing proactive guidance and training to   impacted   teams
• 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 valu e

About the position

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. Learn more at jnj.com . 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.

Benefits

• an annual bonus with set target (% of pay) depending on pay grade / location, where the actual amount is based on the employees’ and companies’ performance of the previous calendar year, or sales commissions.
• vacation days, parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, well-being reimbursement, programs for financial, physical and mental health.
• service anniversary and recognition awards
• employees - and in some location’s eligible dependents - can participate in several insurance plans.