Associate General Counsel

Company Description

At Western Digital, we are on a mission to unlock the potential of data so people, companies and organizations everywhere can create what’s next. To fulfill our vision, we are always on the lookout for potential team members who share our passion for solving problems to empower others.

When you join Western Digital, you join a legacy more than 50 years in the making. Across our Western Digital, SanDisk, SanDisk Professional, WD and WD_BLACK brands, we have brought some of the most storied advancements in memory and data storage technology to market—and our best, most innovative work is yet to come.

From energizing gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Here’s how you can help.

Job Description

Western Digital is seeking an experienced and dynamic lawyer with a broad range of legal expertise to support its hard disk drive operations in the SEA region. This position will cover business operations in Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore. This role will support Sales, Procurement, Engineering, HR, Site Management, Finance, and Logistics & Facilities. This individual will provide high-quality legal counsel and support on a variety of regional legal matters, including negotiation of commercial agreements, employment matters, regulatory compliance, corporate secretarial matters, etc. The ideal candidate has post-qualification experience as a commercial attorney with a top-tier law firm and in-house experience with a global company. The candidate will demonstrate the ability to partner with the business and effectively respond to legal issues and establish strategic priorities. The candidate will also need to have experience communicating efficiently and seamlessly with subject matter experts within the legal department located in other countries, including the U.S. Experience working with sales/engineering/technology/human resources/manufacturing operations will be an advantage.

This role requires a presence onsite at Western Digital’s Penang site.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as initial point of contact and manager for a variety of legal matters in SEA region, including sales and marketing, employment, compliance, litigation, corporate governance and government relations.
• Integrate into the business as a strategic business partner and provide legal guidance in the context of the business to achieve the Company’s goals.
• Work closely with senior management in SEA region as a trusted advisor and partner.
• Provide advice and counsel on a variety of legal issues, including commercial transactions, sales and marketing support, corporate matters, employment-related issues, regulatory and litigation.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of risk management strategies that align with the company’s business objectives and legal obligations.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize a variety of commercial contracts.
• Identify potential legal issues and risks related to business practices and policies.
• Partner with internal client groups to respond to legal and compliance issues and find practical solutions that balance risk and business opportunities.
• Coordinate and collaborate with appropriate legal department members globally to assess and manage legal matters in a consistent manner.
• Work with supervisor to develop and review internal policies and compliance procedures and provide training on those policies/procedures.
• Ensure adherence to corporate governance best practices, supporting the Board and executive management in maintaining compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee local litigation in coordination with the U.S. litigation team.
• Represent the company before any authorities, tribunals or courts as may be necessary.
• Support local investigations, in coordination with HR and the Ethics and Compliance team.
• Work professionally and productively with outside counsel to maximize the value of counsel’s input and minimize outside counsel fees.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• LL.B. /LL.M. from a reputable law school required.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant legal experience in a top-tier law firm and in-house legal department.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to understand potentially complex legal issues and translate into simple and effective guidance for internal stakeholders.
• Ability to find creative solutions to achieve business goals.
• Excellent English oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Experience working in (or with) technology companies and/or in the technology industry is an advantage.
• Comfortable balancing and prioritizing competing/shifting demands and deadlines from multiple stakeholders.
• Can travel regularly as needed.
• Track record of providing high-quality, timely results on a wide variety of general legal matters.
• Self-starter who takes ownership of work and demonstrates the ability to work independently.
• Team player with a strong sense of collaboration with other stakeholders, both within the legal department and cross-functionally.
• Growth mindset with a desire to understand the company’s business and industry.
• International experience with a highly regarded top-tier law firm is highly desired.
• Experience of working for a global company (either in house or as a client) is an advantage.
• Previous in-house experience (including secondments) is an advantage.
• Experience partnering with business to respond to legal issues and establish strategic priorities.

PREFERRED:

• Complexity
  • Undertakes a wide range of assignments with varying degrees of complexity.
  • Able to apply logical thinking to intellectual and practical problems.
  • Works collaboratively as a stakeholder and influencer of cross-functional teams.
• Discretion & Decision Making
  • Able to react calmly and effectively to on-the-ground issues.
  • Decides and/or recommends course of legal action, with input from supervisor on novel issues or issues involving departures from standard or historically acceptable positions.
  • Makes recommendations on approval of contracts and assists with dispute resolution.
  • Interprets law and gives clear and concise business-minded opinions.
  • Coordinates with global subject matter experts.

SKILLS

• Confident self-starter with own initiative.
• Strong global awareness and perspective.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Role is a business-facing and embedded role and so candidates must be interested in and seek to understand the business.
• Team player.

Additional Information

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect, and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES: Western Digital has received reports of scams where a payment is requested on Western Digital’s behalf as a condition for receiving an offer of employment. Please be aware that Western Digital and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to compliance@wdc.com.