Legal Manager, Government Affairs & Public Procurement

Job Description Summary #LI-Hybrid Location: Mexico City, Mexico Relocation Support: This role is based in Mexico City, Mexico. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible. Legal expertise in public procurement has the power to do more than mitigate risk. It enables patient access, supports sustainable healthcare systems, and drives responsible participation in government healthcare markets. As a Legal Manager, Public Procurement & Government Contracts, you will serve as the lead legal advisor for Novartis' participation in public sector healthcare procurement and institutional business activities in Mexico. You will partner closely with business leaders, Market Access, Institutional Sales, Compliance, Public Affairs, Finance and Procurement teams to provide strategic legal guidance on government tenders, public procurement regulations, contracting with healthcare institutions, and related risk management. In this role, you will help shape business strategies and solutions that enable compliant participation in public healthcare markets while protecting Novartis' reputation and long-term interests.   Job Description Key responsibilities: • Serve as the primary legal advisor on public procurement, government contracting, institutional business and tendering activities in Mexico. • Advise business stakeholders on public procurement laws, tender regulations, public healthcare purchasing frameworks and government contracting requirements. • Lead legal support for participation in public tenders, competitive procurement procedures, framework agreements and direct contracting opportunities with public healthcare institutions. • Conduct legal risk assessments related to government contracts, public bids, procurement compliance requirements and institutional business models. • Draft, review and negotiate government contracts, procurement agreements, collaboration arrangements and other documentation involving public entities and healthcare institutions. • Provide strategic legal guidance regarding procurement disputes, bid challenges, administrative proceedings, investigations and litigation arising from public procurement activities. • Monitor legislative, regulatory and policy developments affecting public procurement, healthcare purchasing systems and government contracting. • Partner with Compliance and Public Affairs to assess legal and reputational risks associated with public sector interactions and procurement-related initiatives. • Develop legal strategies to support patient access initiatives involving public institutions and government healthcare stakeholders. • Support industry engagement efforts and external stakeholder discussions concerning public procurement reforms and healthcare policy developments. • Drive legal operational excellence initiatives to strengthen procurement governance, contracting processes and risk mitigation frameworks. Essential requirements: • Law degree with relevant legal experience supporting commercial or corporate matters • Demonstrated experience providing legal counsel and risk-based recommendations to business stakeholders • Experience in pharmaceutical industry or related is a must. • Strong contract drafting, review, and negotiation skills across a variety of agreement types • Excellent stakeholder management skills and ability to influence decision-making at multiple organizational levels • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to solve complex legal issues pragmatically • Professional proficiency in both English and Spanish, with strong written and verbal communication skills Desireable requirements: • Experience managing external counsel and supporting cross-border or regional legal initiatives Commitmen