Assoc. Dir, Legal

Job Description

The Associate Director, Legal & Compliance – Singapore and Malaysia (collectively referred to as “SGMY Markets”) shall have the primary responsibility of supporting and assisting the Director, Legal & Compliance (Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan Cluster) in providing legal and compliance advice and protecting the legal interests and compliance standards and requirements of all businesses (e.g. Global Human Health and Animal Health) and divisions (e.g. Manufacturing Division, Research Laboratories, Market Access) across M markets in SGMY Markets. From time to time, the successful candidate will also provide advice on legal and compliance matters in Brunei, a non-footprint market of the SGMY markets. The position will be based in Malaysia.

The successful candidate will handle legal and compliance matters arising from businesses in the SGMY Markets or as designated by and under the supervision of the Director, Legal & Compliance (Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan Cluster). In addition, as a member of the Asia Pacific Legal and Compliance team, the successful candidate needs to work closely with the Human Health Business Practice Officers (“BPOs”) in the SGMY Markets, as well as other members of the Asia Pacific Legal and Compliance team, colleagues from the Office of General Counsel (including the Ethics and Compliance Office), external counsel and relevant headquarters and subsidiary staff and functional groups, as needed.

PRIMARY SCOPE OF WORK

Primary scope of work includes, but is not limited to the following:

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Supporting the legal and compliance needs of all key stakeholders in the relevant areas of law which may include but is not limited to privacy, anti-corruption/anti-bribery, fair competition, and trade practice legislations, etc. as well as policies, compliance standards and local industry guidelines. In particular:

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Commercial and Contractual Matters

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Advise on day-to-day commercial transactions and business undertakings

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Advise on business development, marketing and business initiatives, patient programs, disease awareness campaign initiatives, review .

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Advise on commercial/corporate and employment issues and negotiate with external parties on behalf of, where needed or appropriate.

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Advise on innovative solutions with a particular interest in AI, digital, technology and data-analytics.

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Regulatory Requirements

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Monitor changes and developments in the legal and regulatory environment within which businesses operates, advise local management and develop appropriate strategies

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Provide advice and legal support, as needed and in collaboration with regulatory affairs, on application and maintenance of all authorizations, permits and licenses needed for local operations, including importation, listing/reimbursement and marketing of products, conducting clinical trials, handling adverse experience incidents and implementing product recalls where needed

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Support in interactions with regulatory and other relevant government agencies on legal and compliance issues and development of appropriate strategies for resolution of issues

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Promotional/Non-Promotional Material Review

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Provide and oversee internal legal review as part of medical-legal process for promotional/non-promotional materials according to local laws and policies and standards

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Collaborate with Medical and business colleagues in initiating and/or responding to regulatory/competitor challenges on promotional/non-promotional practices

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Business Standards & Compliance

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Develop, monitor and implement compliance and risk management strategies and processes, and work with divisional compliance and local BPOs and management.

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Support the development and conduct of legal & compliance training, monitor and resolve legal & compliance issues, work with local management to formulate and implement appropriate local business standards and procedures consistent with local laws, relevant US laws (including the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)), industry standards (including local pharmaceutical industry Codes of Conduct and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (IFPMA) Code of Marketing Practices) and corporate policies.

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Disputes/Litigation

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Support the initiation, defence, negotiation, settlement and management of litigation, disputes and actions arising from business operations of including contractual, IP, adverse reaction claims, compliance and regulatory challenges, in collaboration/consultation with regional legal team and other legal colleagues from headquarters or other divisions as appropriate.

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Intellectual Property

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Support headquarters IP attorneys to coordinate local trademark and patent filings and collect and disseminate intellectual property information for local management, as needed

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Provide advice on local strategies and counteractions in relation to local IP infringement and enforcement actions, in collaboration with M global IP attorneys

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Human Resources Issues

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Advise on sensitive HR issues

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Participate in compliance issue remediation team and provide legal perspectives, as appropriate

Required Skills

Business Development, Business Development, Clinical Trials, Codes of Conduct, Compliance Programs, Confidentiality, Contract Administration, Corporate Ethics, Data Privacy, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Labor and Employment Law, Law Practice, Legal Acumen, Legal Analysis, Legal Communication, Legal Documents Preparation, Legal Research, Legal Services, Legal Strategies, Legal Training, Marketing, Marketing Management, Medical Practice Operations, Principles of Marketing, Product Marketing {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Secondary Language(s) Job Description

WHAT WILL A SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT LOOK LIKE?

Qualifications

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A degree in law or the equivalent

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Admitted to practice law in Malaysia

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5-7 years of post-admission experience

Skillsets

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Ability to be an independent contributor and a team player

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Ability to challenge status quo whilst understanding the fundamental legal principles

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Ability to provide practical and commercially focused solutions whilst consistently applying a high standard of integrity, professionalism, legal knowledge, and business ethics

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Language proficiency in English and Bahasa Melayu required – additional language capabilities in the Asia Pacific context (for e.g. Mandarin) a strong advantage

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A positive personality and ability to thrive in a fast-changing, pressurizing and highly regulated environment

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Proactive and responsive

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Savvy in different computing applications (including AI applications) needed to perform role independently

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Strong communication and interpersonal skills

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Strong drafting and negotiation skills

Knowledge & Experience

The following experience is required

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In-house legal and compliance experience in a multinational organization; and/or

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Commercial practice experience in a top tier law firm

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

VISA Sponsorship

Travel Requirements

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

Valid Driving License

Hazardous Material(s)

Job Posting End Date

07/30/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID: R404798