Legal Counsel, Novo Holdings Asia (Based in Singapore)

About the role

We are looking for a Legal Counsel to join our Legal team based in Singapore! Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk and Novonesis (the Novo Group companies) and manages an investment portfolio with a long-term return perspective. Novo Holdings invests in life science companies at all stages of development and, in addition, manages a broad portfolio of equities, bonds, real estate and infrastructure assets as well as private equity investments. As of year-end 2025, Novo Holdings had Total Assets under Management of DKK 694 billion (EUR 93 billion). Novo Holdings is a holding and investment company that is responsible for managing the assets and the wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, one of the world's largest enterprise foundations. Headquartered in Copenhagen, with offices in London, San Francisco, Boston, Singapore, Shanghai and Mumbai, Novo Holdings is a world-leading life science investor with a focus on creating long-term value. The Job As Legal Counsel, you will partner closely with investment professionals to support the execution and management of investments across the region. You will contribute to the Legal team's strategic priorities while providing practical, commercially focused legal advice throughout the investment lifecycle. This position will be based in Singapore, and you will be part of one global legal team spanning across multiple locations. The Legal team consists of 12 lawyers and currently has a presence in Copenhagen, Boston, San Francisco and Singapore. You will enjoy the opportunity to be a part of a dedicated, international, ambitious, and connected team that is value-driven and who respect and appreciate each other. In this role, you will act as the legal resource for the deal team in Asia and support a broad range of cross-border transactional projects, including mergers & acquisitions, PE / VC transactions, and divestments. You will report to the Head of Legal Asia. Your main tasks will be to: Lead and manage legal workstreams for investments, acquisitions, divestments, and financing transactions. Draft, review, and negotiate transaction documentation, shareholder agreements, financing agreements, and related legal documentation. Advise investment teams on legal matters related to transaction structuring, regulatory/compliance requirements, and legal risk management. Coordinate and oversee legal due diligence process, including liaising and communications with opposing counsel. Manage relationships with external counsel and other advisors across multiple jurisdictions. Liaise with finance, operations, tax and compliance teams on a variety of matters throughout the investment cycle from diligence through closing, ongoing asset management activities and exit. Support relevant asset teams across Novo Holdings' Asia portfolio companies to provide guidance on corporate governance, regulatory matters, risk management and compliance best practices. Contribute to the continued development of legal processes, governance frameworks, and strategic initiatives within the Legal function. Professional Qualifications Bachelor's in law (LL.B.), Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent is required; a Master in Law (LL.M.) is an advantage. Minimum 6 years PQE from a top tier international law firm. A strong track record of international M&A transactional experience, including deal structuring, negotiation and drafting. Demonstrated ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives and provide practical, solution-oriented advice. Experience working across the Asia region, particularly in China, India, and Southeast Asia. Abilities to interact and build relations with various stakeholders at all levels. Comprehensive understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape affecting private equity and portfolio companies. Strong judgement and excellent negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Strong strategic thinking skills, ability to work independently and proactively, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Fluent English required; additional Asian languages a plus but not required. Personal Qualifications We are looking for a candidate that: Aligns with the Novo Holdings' values. Is highly motivated, intelligent, and has demonstrated excellence in prior work experiences. Has the ability to grasp and navigate complicated legal issues; is curious and a fast learner. Has strong communication skills. Performs effectively under time pressure by prioritising independently and being able to handle multiple projects simultaneously in an organized manner. Maintains a high level of integrity and exercises sound judgment and discretion. Has the confidence to challenge constructively and influence stakeholders when required. Is a team player that thrives on succeeding together Working at Novo Holdings At Novo Holdings, we aspire to a set of values that define the way we work. Our values underpin the Novo Holdings culture of high performance wi

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