Directeur(trice) associé(e), Affaires juridiques/ Associate Director, Legal and Compliance

Merck • Kirkland, QC

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Legal and Compliance holds primary responsibility for advising on and safeguarding the legal interests and compliance standards of our Canadian operations, encompassing both our Human Health and Animal Health organizations. In this multi-disciplinary role, you will deliver a broad spectrum of legal and compliance services across the entire product lifecycle, from development through commercialization and ongoing lifecycle planning. By providing strategic, timely, practical, and cost-effective counsel, you will partner with the business to drive sustainable growth, identify risks, and implement robust mitigation strategies, while upholding the highest legal, ethical, and professional standards. Operating under the guidance of the Executive Director, Legal and Compliance, you will handle local legal and compliance matters arising from our business activities. As a member of the Europe and Canada (EUCAN) Legal and Compliance team, you will also contribute, from time to time, to regional and global projects and partner closely with local, regional, and global teams to support strategic initiatives. We are seeking an experienced business lawyer with strong negotiation and interpersonal skills who can cultivate trust-based relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. You will navigate a complex regulatory landscape, draft and negotiate business-critical contracts, and collaborate across the business to enable innovative, compliant solutions in a dynamic and fast-evolving healthcare industry. This position is based at our headquarters in Kirkland, Québec, and reports to the Executive Director, Legal and Compliance, Canada.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from a recognized university.
• License to practice law in Canada; membership in the Barreau du Québec is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in law and compliance, preferably within the pharmaceutical/biotechnology, medical devices, and/or consumer healthcare industries, either in-house or at a law firm advising these sectors.
• Strong knowledge of the Canadian legal and regulatory framework related to the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in sales promotion and marketing, health compliance, patient support programs, collaboration models and interactions with health care professionals, competition law, commercial and contract law, privacy, and litigation management.
• Familiarity with compliance principles and the implementation of corporate compliance programs.
• Fluency in French and English. English proficiency is required for communications with stakeholders outside of Quebec and with global senior management.

Nice To Haves

• Membership in the Barreau du Québec is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive, strategic, and pragmatic legal guidance throughout the product lifecycle—from clinical research and new product launches to commercialization, sales, marketing, and distribution.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including procurement, distribution, marketing, and licensing agreements, to protect the company's business and legal interests.
• Advise on legal risks and opportunities related to innovative business models, including patient support programs, digital health initiatives, and data analytics.
• Provide legal guidance on formulary listing, government interactions, health policy initiatives, and market access strategies, including review of agreements and engagement with public and private sector stakeholders.
• Guide the local interpretation and implementation of corporate compliance policies and local industry standards, ensuring all business initiatives meet the highest legal and ethical thresholds.
• Partner with the Business Practices and Compliance teams to monitor risks, develop local compliance strategies, conduct internal training, support audits, investigations, and remediation efforts.
• Provide expert legal perspective as part of the medical-legal review process for promotional materials and external communications.
• Advise on competition law, privacy/data protection, and anti-corruption legislation.
• Assist in managing, negotiating, and settling litigation, commercial disputes, and regulatory challenges in collaboration with regional and global legal colleagues.
• Support global IP attorneys by coordinating with local external counsel on trademark and patent filings, monitoring infringement risks, and helping design local enforcement strategies.
• Direct and oversee the work of external counsel, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective deliverables while effectively tracking and managing the allocated legal budget.
• Actively support the Executive Director in optimizing legal operations, including the identification and integration of digital and AI tools to streamline processes.
• Participate from time to time in regional or global projects, sharing best practices and collaborating with international legal colleagues as needed.
• Demonstrate active commitment to the company's Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) principles, corporate values, and compliance standards in all daily interactions and professional handovers.

Benefits

• Discretionary short-term-incentive plan
• Contemporary rewards and benefit programs beyond traditional medical plans and retirement programs
• Flexible, inclusive workplace to support employee well-being, development and long-term success

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level