Snehal Shirode, Global Compliance Manager at Novartis Malaysia, has built a distinguished global legal career rooted in a strong commerce background and advanced legal training. Based in Malaysia, she brings a unique blend of business insight, regulatory expertise, and multicultural leadership to the global compliance landscape. Over 13 years, she has navigated complex cross border challenges, led governance initiatives, and integrated digital innovation into compliance and contract management. Her journey reflects a commitment to integrity, adaptability, and thoughtful leadership while contributing to the global vision of Novartis Malaysia.
This interview has been published by Anshi Mudgal and The SuperLawyer Team
Coming from a commerce background, what motivated you to pursue a career in law, and how did your education and early professional experiences equip you to navigate complex, cross-border challenges?
My commerce background offered me a strong understanding of business fundamentals, but I was equally drawn to the interpretive depth and societal impact of law. The intersection of the two fields fascinated me where commercial pragmatism meets regulatory precision. My education in Law and Social Legal Sciences provided both analytical rigor and contextual understanding, enabling me to approach problems holistically.
Early experiences across diverse industries in India trained me to interpret laws not just as statutes but as strategic enablers of business integrity, a perspective that became invaluable in navigating cross-border challenges later in my career.
During your early career in India, what were the key learnings that laid the foundation for your specialization in global compliance and contract management?
My early professional years in India instilled a deep respect for procedural discipline and ethical diligence. Working across regulatory environments taught me the importance of consistency and transparency in every transaction. I learned that effective compliance is not about control but about creating trust between business and governance. Exposure to contract negotiation and risk evaluation honed my precision in balancing legal protection with commercial intent, a skill that evolved into my specialization in global compliance and contract management.
Over the years, you’ve progressed to senior global leadership positions. What defining moments or challenges have shaped your career trajectory and leadership style?
Transitioning to global roles presented both opportunity and complexity leading multicultural teams and driving governance across regions demanded adaptability and empathy. A defining moment was leading a transformation program integrating compliance and contract frameworks across multiple jurisdictions, requiring both strategic vision and human sensitivity. The challenge reinforced my belief that leadership is less about authority and more about influence about fostering environments where integrity, innovation, and inclusion thrive together.
As Global Compliance Manager, how do you ensure consistency and adherence to compliance frameworks across regions, and could you share an example of successfully resolving a complex compliance challenge?
Ensuring consistency across regions begins with fostering a unified compliance culture anchored in shared values rather than uniform mandates. I place strong emphasis on awareness, accountability, and empowerment enabling teams to understand the purpose and principles behind each compliance requirement. This approach, supported by structured governance models and continuous training, promotes alignment across jurisdictions while respecting regional nuances.
With respect to specific case examples, I am unable to disclose details due to professional confidentiality obligations. What I can share is that every complex challenge reinforces a central truth that effective compliance is ultimately driven by collaboration, ethical judgment, and the ability to balance global standards with local integrity.
How do you manage global contracting risks while integrating digital tools with traditional legal and compliance processes for a seamless workflow?
Risk identification begins with visibility and understanding every contractual touchpoint and supplier relationship through structured governance models. I prioritize risk categorization, due diligence, and real-time monitoring to ensure proactive management. Integrating digital tools like Icertis, SAP Ariba, and analytics dashboards enhances transparency and efficiency. My approach merges automation with human oversight, ensuring that technology accelerates compliance rather than diluting judgment enabling a seamless bridge between legal rigor and operational agility.
What inspired you to pursue an international legal career, and what gave you the confidence to make that transition?
The aspiration to pursue an international career stemmed from a desire to engage with the global evolution of law and governance. My confidence was built on a foundation of strong ethics, technical knowledge, and an openness to learning from diverse cultures. Transitioning globally required adaptability, understanding that legal systems may differ but integrity remains universal. Each challenge reinforced my belief that law, when practiced with empathy and precision, can transcend borders and foster trust across industries and nations.
With emerging technologies like AI and evolving global regulations, how do you see digital innovation transforming compliance, contract management, and corporate governance in the years ahead?
Digital innovation is redefining the compliance and legal ecosystem. AI-driven analytics, smart contracting, and predictive compliance tools are enabling organizations to transition from reactive oversight to proactive governance. However, technology must be guided by ethical frameworks and human judgment. The future lies in synergy where digital solutions amplify accuracy and speed, while professionals ensure accountability and contextual interpretation. This balance will define the next era of compliance excellence.
Reflecting on your 13+ years of experience, how do you maintain a healthy work-life balance, and what key principles or habits have contributed to your professional success?
Sustaining balance begins with clarity of purpose and disciplined prioritization. I approach each day with structured focus and dedicating time for strategic thinking, continuous learning, and personal renewal. Mindfulness, reading, and connecting with people beyond work provide perspective and resilience. Professionally, I anchor my success in three principles: integrity in decision-making, empathy in leadership, and curiosity in learning. Together, they create equilibrium between ambition and wellbeing.
What advice would you give to young legal and compliance professionals aspiring to build a global career?
Develop depth before breadth, master your fundamentals, then expand your horizons. Global careers are built not only on expertise but on cultural intelligence, adaptability, and credibility. Embrace technology as an ally, not a threat, and never compromise on ethics, even under pressure. Seek mentors, learn continuously, and approach every challenge as a learning opportunity. Above all, remember that integrity and humility are the true currencies of global success.
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