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Job Details

Job Summary

Cencora is seeking an experienced Assistant General Counsel (AGC) to support Cencora Global Procurement (CGP) in Cork, Ireland. This role provides senior legal counsel within a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment, with a focus on corporate governance and Board support, manufacturer-facing contracting and negotiation strategy, data privacy and security compliance, and proactive risk management to support CGP’s expansion into additional jurisdictions. The role requires strong cross-functional partnership, sound professional judgment, and demonstrated capability to lead integrated legal and business workstreams with effective project management discipline. The AGC will report to the Vice President, Managing Director of CGP and maintain alignment with Cencora’s Legal and Corporate Affairs Team.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Governance / Company Secretary

Act as Secretary to CGP and manage Board governance processes, including but not limited to, preparation of meeting notices, agendas, presentations, written resolutions, approvals, and meeting minutes.
Maintain accurate corporate records, ensuring compliance with The Companies Act 2014 requirements, including CRO filings/updates and ensure governance documentation is complete, controlled, and accessible for audit and regulatory needs.

Manufacturer-Facing Contracting & Negotiation

Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on pharmaceutical manufacturer-facing agreements to ensure alignment with CGP strategy and objectives while minimizing legal, regulatory, and reputational risk.
Provide escalation support for non-standard risk positions and ensure appropriate internal review, approvals, and documentation.

Global Contracting Strategy & Negotiator Support

Support commercial negotiators on manufacturer-facing matters, along with any Intercompany Agreements, as required, including global contracting strategy, contract language/provision review, negotiations and internal and/or external risk assessments.
Develop and maintain standard templates, clause guidance, and negotiation playbooks to drive consistency and speed.

Project Management / Strategic Legal Enablement

Lead matters requiring project management capability, including integrated legal and business ownership of contract programs and strategic initiatives supporting CGP’s goals.
Drive stakeholder alignment, timelines, decision-making, and delivery of outcomes across workstreams.

Data Privacy & Security (GDPR + U.S. Privacy)

Support CGP’s compliance with privacy and security policies and requirements, including GDPR and relevant U.S. data privacy laws/requirements impacting CGP activities.
Collaborate with Cencora’s Privacy team and outside counsel on privacy compliance, contractual privacy terms, and implementation of required controls.

Legal Services Oversight & Outside Counsel Management

Assist in managing delivery of legal services across CGP, including oversight of matters relating to employment/HR and immigration, intellectual property, litigation/disputes, and compliance.
Coordinate the retention and oversight of outside counsel, including scope management, quality control, and budget awareness.

Regulatory Compliance & Jurisdictional Expansion

Drive legal strategy and support regulatory compliance obligations as CGP expands into additional jurisdictions.
Monitor legislative, judicial, and regulatory developments affecting CGP operations; advise leadership on impact, options, and recommended actions.

Risk Management & Protection of CGP

Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks; advise management on risk trade-offs and implement practical mitigation plans.
Maintain strong documentation and escalation practices for key decisions, risks, and approvals.

Other Duties

Perform related duties as assigned and required by CGP.
Should have strong decision-making capabilities and should be proficient in being able to make business-oriented yet legally compliant recommendations.
Should be able to juggle multiple matters on the midst of change and effectively multi-task, focus and shift priorities to ensure that work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
This role will have management responsibilities for one or more legal professionals and the AGC is required to be an effective manager for reports.

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Qualifications

Required

Law degree and qualified to practice in Ireland, in good standing.
7–10+ years PQE (guideline) in-house and/or at a leading law firm, with strong experience in commercial contracting and regulated environments.
Demonstrated ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements and advise senior stakeholders with clear, pragmatic recommendations.
Experience supporting corporate governance activities (e.g., Board/committee materials, resolutions, minutes) and strong attention to detail.
Working knowledge of GDPR and data privacy/security contracting concepts; ability to partner effectively with privacy and security stakeholders.
Strong communication, organization, presentation, facilitation, and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities in a matrix environment.

Preferred

Experience in the  pharmaceuticals/life sciences industry (manufacturer-facing, distribution, services, or broader healthcare).
Familiarity with U.S. law relevant to CGP operations (as applicable) and cross-border data considerations.
Experience managing outside counsel across multiple jurisdictions and practice areas.
Experience in previous line management. Ability to lead, motivate and develop others.

Why Join Us?

Join Cencora in Cork and help enable compliant growth for CGP through strong governance, effective manufacturer contracting, and proactive risk management. You’ll work with senior leaders on high-impact matters in a global, regulated organization with meaningful development opportunities.

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What Cencora offers

Benefit offerings outside the US may vary by country and will be aligned to local market practice. The eligibility and effective date may differ for some benefits and for team members covered under collective bargaining agreements.

Full time

Affiliated Companies

Affiliated Companies: Cencora Global Procurement Limited

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cencora is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or membership in any other class protected by federal, state or local law.

The company’s continued success depends on the full and effective utilization of qualified individuals. Therefore, harassment is prohibited and all matters related to recruiting, training, compensation, benefits, promotions and transfers comply with equal opportunity principles and are non-discriminatory.

Cencora is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the employment process which are consistent with legal requirements. If you wish to request an accommodation while seeking employment, please call 888.692.2272 or email hrsc@cencora.com. We will make accommodation determinations on a request-by-request basis. Messages and emails regarding anything other than accommodations requests will not be returned

Assistant General Counsel

Job Description