Senior Legal Counsel at Medartis (Basel, Switzerland)

Why This Basel-Based Senior Legal Counsel Role Stands Out

Medartis, a global medical device manufacturer headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join its in-house legal team. This is not an ordinary corporate counsel vacancy; it sits at the intersection of Swiss corporate law, cross-border M&A, international contract negotiation, and cutting-edge life sciences regulation. For legal professionals with 5–8 years of experience who want to work as a strategic partner to the General Counsel and executive leadership, this role offers a rare combination of hands-on deal work and high-level governance exposure.

Basel is arguably the life sciences capital of Europe, home to Novartis, Roche, and a dense ecosystem of medtech and biotech companies. Joining Medartis means plugging into a legal network where Swiss capital markets law, medtech regulatory affairs, and multinational contracts converge.

The Day-to-Day: What Medartis Expects From Its Senior Legal Counsel

The job description reveals a role with substantial ownership. You will lead M&A transactions from due diligence through post-merger integration. That means you are not just reviewing contracts; you are shaping the company's growth strategy and ensuring that every acquisition or partnership is legally sound.

• Independently managing M&A projects, including due diligence, negotiation, and integration.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating international commercial agreements and standardizing contract templates across the group.
• Advising headquarters and foreign subsidiaries on corporate, commercial, and economic law.
• Supporting the General Counsel on corporate governance, board matters, and strategic initiatives.
• Overseeing litigations, administrative proceedings, and coordination of external legal counsel worldwide.
• Serving as the data protection point of contact for the organization.
• Designing and conducting legal training on compliance, data protection, insider trading, and other regulatory topics.

"Möchten Sie als Sparringspartner des General Counsel auf Executive-Ebene wirken und den internationalen Wachstumskurs eines innovativen und dynamischen Unternehmens aktiv mitgestalten?" — The role explicitly calls for a sparring partner to the GC at executive level.

This is not a back-office legal position. You will be expected to challenge, advise, and operate with autonomy on complex national and international issues.

Who Can Apply? Qualifications That Go Beyond the Job Description

The formal requirements are stated in German in the original ad: a completed law degree (Master of Laws or licentiate) from a Swiss university, with a Swiss bar license (Anwaltspatent) and/or an LL.M. cited as advantages. Medartis wants 5–8 years of relevant experience as in-house counsel in an international company, ideally in medical technology, pharma, or life sciences. Experience in a publicly listed company is a plus.

Hard Skills

• Swiss corporate law and capital markets law – you need to be fluent in the legal framework governing companies listed or preparing to list on SIX Swiss Exchange.
• M&A transaction experience – from structuring to due diligence to closing and integration.
• International contract negotiation – you will handle contracts in multiple jurisdictions.
• Data protection expertise – Swiss and EU GDPR compliance, cross-border data flows, and medical device data privacy.

Soft Skills and Languages

• Entrepreneurial and pragmatic mindset, with strong analytical ability.
• Executive presence – the ability to engage with C-suite, board members, and international stakeholders as equals.
• High resilience and self-driven work ethic.
• Full professional fluency in German, English, and French; additional languages are beneficial.

Given the Swiss market and Medartis's global footprint, trilingual capability is practically non-negotiable. If you are coming from a non-Swiss legal system, you will need to demonstrate how your background translates into tangible value for a Swiss headquartered medtech player.

How to Prepare a Winning Application for Medartis

Your application will likely be screened by HR and then by the General Counsel. To stand out, show not just your CV but your deal sheet and governance experience.

1. Quantify your M&A experience. List transactions you led or supported, with size, stage, and jurisdiction.
2. Show cross-border contract mastery. Highlight international contracts you have drafted, negotiated, or standardized.
3. Mention compliance and training. Medartis specifically asks for conceptualization and delivery of training sessions; if you have that, say so explicitly.
4. Emphasize Swiss corporate law. Even if your degree is from abroad, pinpoint any Swiss law courses, bar exam passages, or work experience.
5. Prepare for a German-language interview. Though business is global, the ad is in German and French is required for the Swiss market.

Also note the company's benefits: "verantwortungsvolle und abwechslungsreiche Tätigkeit mit hohen Qualitätsanforderungen in einem wachsenden, internationalen Unternehmen mit fortschrittlichen Sozialleistungen" (responsible and varied activity with high quality requirements in a growing international company with progressive social benefits). Mention your alignment with that culture.

The Bigger Legal Picture: Medtech, M&A, and the Swiss Advantage

Medartis is a global leader in surgical fixation and bone plating systems. As a Senior Legal Counsel, you won't just advise on contracts; you'll be navigating the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR), Swissmedic requirements, export controls, clinical trial agreements, and post-market surveillance issues. The legal landscape for medtech is inherently cross-border, and your work will directly impact R&D, commercial, and manufacturing teams.

Switzerland's legal market for in-house counsel is competitive and well-compensated. A role at this level in Basel typically commands a high-six-figure Swiss franc package plus bonus and benefits. More importantly, the role provides a path to Deputy General Counsel or General Counsel positions in the life sciences sector.

For Indian and other international lawyers reading this, remember that Swiss in-house roles require Swiss law qualifications or an equivalent that can be recognized. However, an LL.M. from a Swiss university combined with the bar exam can be the bridge. If you are currently in India and targeting European in-house roles, consider investing in a Swiss LL.M. or second legal degree, and build fluency in German and French.

"Sie arbeiten eng mit dem General Counsel, der Geschäftsleitung und unseren internationalen Tochtergesellschaften zusammen und leisten einen wichtigen Beitrag zur rechtlichen Absicherung und Weiterentwicklung der Medartis Gruppe." — You will work closely with the GC, management, and international subsidiaries on legally securing and further developing the group.

Career Trajectory: Why This Role Is a Strategic Move

A Senior Legal Counsel role at Medartis is more than a job; it is a launchpad. You will gain exposure to projects that directly shape the company's international growth. The ability to interact with executives, board members, and external counsel worldwide positions you for future leadership roles in the legal department or elsewhere in the corporate world.

• Build a specialization in medtech M&A, a niche with growing demand as the industry consolidates.
• Develop governance experience in a listed environment, which is invaluable for future GC roles.
• Expand your multilingual legal vocabulary across German, French, and English.
• Access the Swiss life sciences legal network—one of the most dynamic in Europe.

Given that Medartis is expanding internationally, the timing of this hire suggests the company is preparing for accelerated growth. Joining early means you can shape the legal infrastructure that supports new markets and product launches.

Key Application Tips at a Glance

• Submit a complete online application via Medartis's official careers page or email to jobs@medartis.com.
• Tailor your CV to the medical device industry; highlight relevant life sciences experience.
• Include a motivation letter specifically addressing your M&A track record and Swiss law capabilities.
• Be ready for a multi-stage interview process with HR, the General Counsel, and possibly a case study on a hypothetical acquisition.
• Research Medartis's products and markets so you can speak fluently about their regulatory environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can a foreign-trained lawyer apply for the Medartis Senior Legal Counsel position?

Yes, but you will need to meet the Swiss legal education requirement or show an equivalent qualification. The ad specifically asks for a completed law degree from a Swiss university, but an LL.M. and/or Swiss bar admission can substitute. Foreign lawyers with a strong M&A and life sciences background should still apply if they have Swiss law exposure.

Q2: What is the application deadline?

The job posting does not specify a public deadline. It is best to apply as soon as possible through the official Medartis careers portal or by sending your complete online application to jobs@medartis.com.

Q3: Is this a remote work opportunity?

No. The position is based in Basel, Switzerland. The recruitment process and work style are Swiss in-house, which means you should expect to be in the office at least hybrid, with international travel for M&A deals and subsidiary meetings.

Q4: What languages are mandatory?

Negotiation-level German, English, and French are mandatory. Medartis operates in international markets, and Basel is in German-speaking Switzerland, but French is required for interactions with France, western Switzerland, and international centers. Additional languages are advantageous.