Roles and responsibilities
1. Legal Advisory and Support
- Provide Legal Guidance: Offer expert advice on legal issues affecting the company’s business, including contract law, corporate governance, intellectual property, labor law, and regulatory compliance.
- Draft and Review Contracts: Prepare, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts and agreements to ensure compliance with legal standards and protect the company’s interests.
- Handle Legal Disputes: Manage disputes and litigation cases, coordinating with external counsel when necessary, and providing strategic guidance on case outcomes and risk mitigation.
2. Risk Management and Compliance
- Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the company adheres to applicable laws and regulations by monitoring changes in legal frameworks, especially those relevant to the business sector.
- Identify and Mitigate Risks: Proactively identify potential legal risks, assess their impact on business operations, and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.
- Policy Development and Implementation: Develop, implement, and update company policies to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards, as well as internal guidelines.
3. Leadership and Management
- Manage Legal Team: Lead and mentor junior legal staff, providing guidance on complex legal issues, managing workloads, and fostering professional development.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with various departments (e.g., HR, Finance, Operations) to ensure alignment on legal requirements and provide support on relevant legal matters.
- Develop Legal Strategy: Support the executive team in developing legal strategies that align with the organization’s overall goals and protect its interests.
4. Corporate Governance and Regulatory Affairs
- Board Support: Advise the board of directors and senior executives on governance issues, corporate policies, and legal obligations.
- Manage Corporate Filings: Ensure timely and accurate filings with regulatory bodies, maintaining compliance with corporate and industry-specific regulations.
- Oversee Mergers and Acquisitions: Provide legal support in mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions, including due diligence, contract negotiation, and post-deal integration.
Desired candidate profile
1. Education and Qualifications
- Law Degree (LLB or JD): A bachelor’s degree in law is essential, and a master’s or advanced legal qualification (such as an LLM) is often preferred.
- Bar Membership: Membership in the bar association or equivalent licensing in the relevant jurisdiction.
- Certifications: Additional certifications in corporate law, compliance, or risk management are an advantage.
2. Professional Experience
- Extensive Legal Experience: Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in corporate law, preferably within a large organization or law firm.
- Management Experience: Prior experience managing a team of legal professionals, with demonstrated capability in mentoring and guiding junior staff.
- Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with the specific regulatory environment of the industry (e.g., finance, healthcare, technology) in which the company operates.
3. Skills and Competencies
- Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to assess complex legal issues, weigh risks, and provide clear guidance and solutions.
- Exceptional Communication Skills: Proficient in conveying legal matters clearly and effectively to non-legal stakeholders.
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution: Skilled in negotiating contracts, managing disputes, and reaching favorable outcomes.
- Strategic Mindset: Capable of aligning legal strategies with overall business objectives, with an emphasis on proactive risk management.
- Detail-Oriented and Organized: Strong focus on accuracy, thoroughness, and ability to manage multiple legal projects concurrently.
4. Leadership Qualities
- Team Leadership: Ability to lead and develop a legal team, promoting a collaborative and performance-focused culture.