Group Senior Legal Counsel | Automotive Industry

The Group Senior Legal Counsel will be a key member of the Eurokars Group legal team, providing strategic legal support to all business functions, primarily for operations in Singapore, with potential regional coverage for China, Australia, and Indonesia. The ideal candidate will bring significant commercial law experience and a proven track record as an internal legal counsel, with a deep understanding of the commercial and compliance issues that businesses face in multi-jurisdictional settings. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of the Group while managing legal risks and ensuring compliance across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Legal Advisory & Risk Management

• Commercial Contracts: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of complex commercial agreements, including dealer/distributor agreements, procurement and service contracts, bank facility and security documents, and tenancy agreements. Provide legal counsel that aligns with business objectives while mitigating risks.
• Compliance: Ensure all business practices comply with local and international laws, industry regulations, and Eurokars Group policies. Stay informed on regulatory changes and advise business leaders on necessary adjustments to operations and strategies.
• Risk Management: Proactively identify potential legal risks in commercial agreements and operations, advising on strategies to mitigate exposure. Provide pragmatic and business-focused legal solutions.
• Dispute Resolution: Manage and provide counsel on disputes and litigation, including leading the Group’s response to legal claims and facilitating successful resolutions. Represent the Group in negotiations and legal proceedings where necessary.
• Intellectual Property: Oversee and protect the Group’s intellectual property portfolio, including trademarks, patents, and proprietary technologies. Ensure robust protection and administration of intellectual property assets.

2. Contracts & Compliance Management

• Contract Lifecycle: Administer key business contracts, track milestones, ensure compliance with terms, and facilitate timely renewals. Work closely with business teams to ensure smooth execution of agreements.
• Corporate Governance: Draft, review, and manage corporate governance documents, including shareholder and board resolutions, ensuring compliance with legal and corporate standards.
• Policy Development & Training: Lead the development and implementation of compliance programs addressing data protection, anti-money laundering (AML), business ethics, and other relevant legal matters. Deliver training and guidance to staff to ensure understanding and adherence to these policies.
• Monitoring & Auditing: Monitor compliance with policies and procedures, conducting audits where necessary and advising the business on corrective actions when needed.

3. Intellectual Property & Data Management

• IP Protection: Ensure the Group’s intellectual property rights are protected globally, including trademarks, patents, and proprietary business information. Advise on IP strategy and enforcement of IP rights.
• Data Privacy: Provide legal advice on data protection laws, ensuring compliance with relevant data privacy regulations (e.g., PDPA). Develop and implement policies to safeguard personal and sensitive data.
• Confidentiality: Oversee the management and protection of proprietary information, ensuring the confidentiality of Group data and ensuring robust controls are in place.

4. Leadership & External Counsel Management

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with business leaders, operations, finance, HR, and other internal teams to ensure that legal considerations are integrated into key business decisions.
• External Counsel Oversight: Manage relationships with external legal advisors, ensuring cost-effective and efficient legal support. Provide guidance and oversight to external counsel, ensuring that external legal work aligns with the Group's objectives.
• Leadership: Mentor junior legal staff and provide leadership in handling complex legal matters. Drive the Group’s legal strategy and ensure alignment with the organization’s goals.

5. Strategic Business Support

• Business Development: Advise on strategic business initiatives, joint ventures, partnerships, and new projects to ensure legal risks are mitigated and business goals are achieved.
• Fleet Sales & Tender Support: Provide legal guidance on fleet sales, tenders, and commercial transactions, ensuring compliance with regulatory and contractual obligations.
• Regional Legal Support: Provide legal advice on regional matters, offering support for business operations in China, Australia, and Indonesia. Navigate cross-border legal issues, ensuring local regulatory compliance in multiple jurisdictions.

6. Other Duties

• Ad-Hoc Projects: Take on additional duties or projects as assigned by Management to meet evolving business needs and legal challenges.

Key Competencies:

• Expertise in Commercial Law: Extensive experience in negotiating and managing commercial contracts, with a deep understanding of corporate law and compliance issues in multinational operations.
• Internal Legal Counsel Experience: Proven ability to work as an internal legal advisor, with strong business acumen and the ability to integrate legal advice into day-to-day operations.
• Risk Management & Compliance: Ability to identify, assess, and manage legal risks in a commercial context, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and business objectives.
• Negotiation Skills: Expertise in negotiating complex commercial agreements and resolving disputes with a practical, business-focused approach.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead teams, collaborate with senior management, and clearly communicate complex legal matters to non-legal stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Education: Degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) from a recognized institution; admission to the Singapore Bar or equivalent jurisdiction is preferred.
• Experience: A minimum of 7-9 years of experience in commercial law, ideally within a multinational corporation or law firm, with a strong focus on contract negotiation, compliance, and risk management.
• Regional Expertise: Demonstrated experience in managing legal matters across multiple jurisdictions, with a strong understanding of the legal landscapes in Singapore, China, Australia, and Indonesia.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of local and international regulations, including compliance, intellectual property, data protection, and commercial contract law.