Legal, Compliance and Data Privacy Lead South Africa
Merck (Pty) Ltd.
Work Your Magic with us!
Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.
Your Role
You will provide expert legal, compliance, and data privacy support primarily to the Healthcare business in South Africa and to the Life Science business across South Western and Eastern Africa (including markets such as Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and others). Reporting to the regional manager, you will serve as a strategic counselor and key contact for leadership teams, facilitating simplified and effective legal, compliance, and data privacy services. Your responsibilities include supporting contractual, commercial, medical, research and digital initiatives, ensuring the application of global compliance and data privacy frameworks, managing risks, conducting training, and leading various projects. You will collaborate closely with regional and global teams, legal entities, and external partners to promote compliance culture and support ethical business practices. You will also oversee due diligence processes and support investigations, audits, and corrective actions to maintain regulatory standards.
Who You Are
- Hold a legal degree and admission to practice law in a South African jurisdiction
- Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience in healthcare and/or life sciences, preferably within a large law firm or international healthcare/life sciences company
- Familiar with multinational corporate compliance, including anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and data privacy regulations
- Skilled in managing relationships and interacting effectively with senior management levels across cultures
- Strong organizational, communication, and influencing skills
- Proactive, pragmatic self-starter comfortable working under pressure
- Experienced in change and process management
- Fluent in written and spoken English
- Able to work effectively in an international and diverse cultural environment
This role is an employment equity position and the company prioritizes such applications. As per the Company’s Employment Equity Plan, the Company encourages previously disadvantaged employees to apply.
What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!
Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!