Head of Legal Department

**The Institute**

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).

Please, check out our Recruitment Policy

**The role**

We are seeking a highly qualified and experienced legal professional to assume the position of **Head of the Legal Department**. This is a strategic leadership role, central to ensuring that the Institute’s operations and decision-making processes align with the applicable legal and regulatory frameworks at both national and international levels.

Reporting directly to the Administrative Director, the Head of the Legal Department will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all legal services within the organisation. This includes providing authoritative legal advice across a broad range of matters, including contract negotiation and drafting, institutional governance, regulatory compliance, public procurement, and personal data protection.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the success of a leading international research institute by ensuring legal integrity, supporting strategic partnerships, and enabling sound governance.

Main duties and responsibilities:

- Providing legal advice to the Management bodies, Administration and Research areas on the current regulations in the different legal fields, considering the legal framework for the public sector and foundations.
- Legal drafting and review of institutional and strategic agreements and contracts to be signed with other institutions at national and international level.
- Development and implementation of policies, codes and procedures of the centre and the Legal department in accordance with applicable laws.
- Coordination and leadership of the Compliance program of the Institute. This role is responsible for acting as the representative of the Compliance Committee before our governing body, members and collaborators of CRG, ensuring regulatory compliance, fostering a culture of ethical and legal conduct, safeguarding confidentiality, liaising with judicial authorities when required, and overseeing the CRG Internal Information System.
- Provision of legal advice on the public procurement processes of the institute, drafting of the tendering documentation of the institute, resolution of legal queries and participation in the Contracting Board.
- Providing legal advice on Personal Data Protection and update of legal documentation.
- Mergers & Acquisitions operations, notarization and legal related processes.
- Drafting legal action documents, administrative appeals and legal statements in relation to general audits of the centre and its research projects. Management of court proceedings.
- Legal proceedings with official bodies, Board of Trustees and stakeholders.
- Management of corporate insurance policies and related processes.
- Internal organization of tasks of the team, coordination of services with law firms and budgetary control of the department.

**About the** department**

The mission of the Legal Department is to provide legal advice at the CRG, ensuring compliance with current regulations. The services offered by the Legal Department include the legal advice on contracts and agreements between CRG and other institutions, monitoring the legislative changes, legal advice on Public Procurement and on Personal Data Protection, drafting legal action documents and pleadings, execution of legal procedures with official bodies and taking over the insurance policies of the centre.

The department is made up of two legal officers, the Head of the Department and has administrative support.

**Whom** would we like to hire?**

**Professional experience**

**Must Have**
- Minimum five years of experience in a similar position.
- Experience in the biomedical / pharma fields will be an asset.

**Desirable but not required/ Nice to have**
- Holding an additional university degree or master will be a plus.
- Training in public procurement and personal data protection will be an advantage.

**Education and training**
- Bachelor’s degree in law.

**Languages**
- Advanced level of English, Spanish and Catalan, spoken and written.

**Technical skills**
- Advanced user of MS Office.
- User of legal databases.

**Competences**
- Used to work in dynamic envi