Employment Law Director

Ascendis Pharma is a fast-growing biopharmaceutical company with locations in Denmark, Germany, UK, Spain, Italy, France, and the United States.

We are applying our TransCon technology to build a leading, fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. Guided by our core values of patients, science, and passion, we use our TransCon® drug development platform to fulfill our mission of developing new and potentially best-in-class therapies to address unmet medical needs. Today, we have a growing pipeline of prodrug therapies in development, each designed to be a best-in-class therapy.

Ascendis Pharma is seeking a highly skilled Employment Law Director to join our dynamic legal team in Denmark. This role will primarily focus on providing legal support and strategic advice on employment matters across our global operations.

The Employment Law Director will be responsible for developing and implementing effective employment practices, policies, and training programs to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of employment law and will possess the ability to navigate complex legal issues while providing practical solutions that align with our business objectives.

In this position, you will collaborate with various departments, including HR, Compliance, Data Privacy and Equity Compensation in addition to line of business across the organization. You will proactively manage employment-related risks and resolve issues as they arise. You will also manage relationships with outside counsel and provide guidance on disputes and litigation matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert legal advice on all matters related to employment law, including but not limited to discrimination, harassment, wage and hour issues, and employee relations.
• In collaboration with HR and other relevant functions develop, review, and update employment policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws across Ascendis Pharma's direct markets in Europe and US.
• Manage and respond to employment-related claims, audits, and inquiries from regulatory agencies.
• Work closely with HR and other relevant functions in handling employee relations issues and employee investigations.
• Stay up to date on changes in employment law and trends in the marketplace to ensure the organization remains compliant and competitive.
• Contribute to the overall strategy and objectives of Group Legal and the Ascendis Pharma organization as a whole.

Qualifications and Skills:

You hold a relevant academic degree – preferably a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school with a strong academic record.

Furthermore, you have:

• 10+ years of experience practicing employment law, with a focus on in-house legal advice 
• In-depth knowledge of applicable employment laws and regulations.
• Experience working collaboratively with HR, Compliance, Data Privacy, Equity Compensation and business units to drive compliance and best practices in employment matters.
• A commitment to ethical practices and maintaining confidentiality.
• Experience from the Life Science industry is an advantage but not a requirement
• Preferably experience from working in a corporate structure with Danish head quarters and affiliates across multiple jurisdictions

Key competencies:

You are a strong team player and have a can-do attitude. You possess an entrepreneurial mindset and can thrive in an informal, open environment where innovation and change are key.  

To succeed in this role, we also expect you to have:

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to provide practical solutions to complex legal issues.
• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization.

 Travel: 10-20 days per year.

Office: Denmark, Copenhagen, Tuborg Blvd. 12, 2900 Hellerup 

Apply now.

Applications will be evaluated when received, so please apply as soon as possible.

All applications must be submitted in English and are treated confidentially.

For more details about the position or the company, please contact Henrik Bolgan Thomsen, Vice President Group Legal, [email protected] or visit out website www.ascendispharma.com