Legal Associate/Counsel

My client is a forward-thinking Chinese investment firm focused on the food and beverage sector. They are looking to hire an experienced and proactive In-house Legal Counsel to be the first legal hire in their Singapore office. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in setting up the legal framework for the business, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and building a solid legal infrastructure from the ground up – reporting to the MD in Singapore.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the establishment of the legal framework for the Singapore office, including advising on business structure, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts (including commercial, employment, and vendor contracts) to ensure legal protections and compliance with local laws.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the company’s operations are compliant with Singapore’s legal and regulatory environment.
• Provide ongoing legal advice to senior management on various corporate and business matters, ensuring that decisions are legally sound and mitigate potential risks.
• Assist in setting up the company’s compliance structure, including adherence to local labor laws, IP protection, tax regulations, and environmental policies.
• Manage any legal disputes or issues that arise and work closely with external legal counsel when necessary.
• Monitor and stay informed about changes in Singaporean regulations and the broader Southeast Asia region that may impact the business.
• Develop and provide legal training to internal teams on compliance, governance, and risk management.
• Take ownership of legal matters as the sole legal point of contact for the Singapore office and help scale the team as the company grows.

Required Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of experience in-house or with a law firm, focusing on corporate law, commercial contracts, and compliance in Singapore.
• Fluency in both spoken and written Mandarin and English (mandatory), as translation work from English to Mandarin will be needed.
• Deep understanding of Singapore’s legal and regulatory landscape, particularly in corporate law, tax, labor laws, and business licensing.
• Experience setting up the legal structure of a business in Singapore or similar jurisdictions is highly desirable.
• Strong legal drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and be the sole legal resource in the office.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with startups or growing companies is a plus.
• Familiarity with regional business laws in Southeast Asia is advantageous.
• Experience in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Next Step:

• Interested applicants, please send your resume to stephanie.chong@peoplebank.asia with your current and expected salary.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Peoplebank Singapore Pte Ltd, EA Licence Number: 08C5248.
EA Personnel Registration ID: R2090996