Vice President, General Counsel CHI

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

At Lonza, we are looking for a General Counsel for the Capsules & Health Ingredients (CHI) Business — a globally influential and strategically critical role. As the primary legal advisor for CHI worldwide, you will shape legal governance, safeguard compliance, and enable commercial success across multiple jurisdictions.

Based in Basel you will work closely with senior leaders across CHI and Lonza Group, acting as a trusted partner on complex strategic matters ranging from commercial transactions and corporate governance to regulatory affairs, risk management, and litigation. This role requires a global mindset, broad legal expertise, and the ability to translate legal strategy into business impact.

Key responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the global CHI organization, guiding senior leaders on complex legal and strategic topics
• Lead and manage all legal matters across CHI, including commercial, corporate, regulatory, labor, and compliance topics
• Structure, negotiate, and draft high-value customer, supplier, and partner agreements to support CHI’s growth agenda
• Oversee corporate governance and housekeeping, ensuring compliance with international standards and legal requirements
• Provide counsel on global regulatory matters, including privacy, competition law, sustainability, and product-related regulations
• Lead legal support for M&A, joint ventures, and investment activities impacting CHI globally
• Develop and implement global legal frameworks, policies, and compliance standards
• Manage litigation and dispute resolution, including external counsel oversight and cost control
• Oversee intellectual property strategy, protection, and enforcement for CHI
• Provide strategic oversight of internal investigations, ensuring risk mitigation and alignment with Lonza’s values
• Conduct CHI-wide legal risk assessments and drive proactive mitigation strategies
• Monitor evolving laws and regulations and translate them into practical, actionable guidance for the business
• Engage with external counsel, regulatory authorities, and potential investors on behalf of CHI

Required Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer (Swiss, EU, UK, or US)
• 15+ years of experience in corporate/commercial law, ideally within life sciences or nutrition
• Strong business partnership skills with the ability to provide pragmatic, commercially oriented counsel
• Experience managing global legal teams and building high-performing capability across geographies
• Strong understanding of international legal frameworks and multi-jurisdictional complexity
• Experience in M&A, private equity environments, and emerging markets is a strong plus
• Proven track record in Ethics & Compliance
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence senior leaders
• English fluent; additional languages preferred

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world — the satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.