Senior Legal Counsel (APSC)

Job Summary

Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in sustainable mobility and advanced solutions, is a Singapore entity and the regional headquarters and strategic business unit (SBU) of the Bridgestone Group in the China and Asia Pacific region (BSCAP). Overseeing operations of 12 sales and manufacturing companies, while producing at 11 tyre manufacturing plants and supplying its products across more than 20 countries in the region, BSCAP plays a key role in facilitating this large and growing market which contributes significantly to the entire Bridgestone Group. The Global Law Department of the Bridgestone Group provides legal and compliance support and services to all aspects of the company's business, including to both Tire Business and Diversified Business companies within the Group.

This position is a member of the BSCAP Legal & Compliance Department based in Singapore and will report to the SEA General Counsel based within the region. This position is directly responsible for supporting the legal matters relating to the Group Companies (GCs) in following businesses:

• Tire Business: Regional Head Office (RHO) in Singapore, Sales Companies in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam and a Manufacturing Company in Vietnam.
• Diversified Business (DB): DB companies based in Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines. These DB companies comprise of sales, services, treasury, manufacturing, and natural rubber trading companies.  

Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:

Primary Legal and Strategic Support to Management

• Lead, oversee and develop strategy and synergies from all legal aspects for assigned GCs in Tire Business and Diversified Businesses.
• Lead a team of Legal Counsels across multiple locations in providing sound and strategic legal advice to senior management and business stakeholders of the responsible GCs.
• Provide legal advice and services to the GCs business functions with a primary focus on the delivery of commercial / corporate support, which includes drafting, negotiating, and advising on a variety of commercial transactions arising from the responsible GCs’ diverse business operations – Tire Business and Diversified Business.
• Establish and maintain strong business partnership, trust and rapport with multiple diverse corporate and business stakeholders at the global headquarters, RHO and the various GCs (tires business and diversified business).
• Be able to navigate and work through uncertainty and different levels of complex relationships to obtain the necessary alignment and approval and manage these complex stakeholder relationships.
• Identify legal needs and opportunities, and initiate and implement risk-based legal initiatives in partnership with GCs in order to enhance the consistency and effectiveness of existing processes, practices and business risks.
• Draft and/or review commercial contracts supporting sales and support functions, new projects and initiatives.
• Draft and/or review company policies, internal procedures and other policy related documents periodically.
• Provide regular updates on key legal developments relevant to the responsible GCs, as well as conduct and coordinate legal trainings for relevant teammates and stakeholders on relevant legal topics.
• Liaise with internal parties, including key business stakeholders, and external parties in multiple jurisdictions, including but not limited to external counsel, government offices, translation firms, etc., on legal related matters.
• Conduct and coordinate all directors’ duties training, as well as provide assistance in the corporate governance related areas and company secretarial, where appropriate.

Regional and Global Support:

• Attend senior management meetings, provide functional alignment and participate in confidential and/or sensitive projects.
• Lead/support/facilitate the launch of global/regional legal initiatives across responsible GCs (includes identifying potential issues, setting direction, obtaining alignment, socializing, publicizing, training, actual implementation and executing continued improvements).
• Represent region in various global and regional committees and/or working groups
• Facilitate communication between various legal entities and regions on a variety of projects/initiatives/matters.
• Provide guidance, coaching and mentorship for direct reports and junior members in the Legal & Compliance team to support their long term professional development and growth.

Requirements

• Minimum 12 years of practice post-qualification experience either with a reputable law firm or suitable in-house position in sizable MNCs with major emphasis on commercial/corporate transactions.
• Excellent academic record from a recognized law school (preferably common law jurisdiction).
• Substantial experience in structuring, negotiating documenting and closing commercial contracts and transactions both externally and within group companies.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, able to smoothly collaborate with and influence different levels of stakeholders (including Senior Executives).
• Minimum 4-5 years of experience as a people leader in leading and managing others.
• Superior analytical ability and a strong general commercial background, creativity, vision, sound judgement in developing and implementing legal solutions and responding to trends in the law. Ability to develop process driven solutions to recurring issues.
• Proactive, imaginative team player capable of operating as a member of a regional legal function.
• Excellent English language skills. Mandarin or Japanese language skills would be advantageous but not essential.

Candidate should demonstrate:

• High energy level, disciplined work style and self-confidence to succeed in this role.
• Success in driving change, achieving targets and working across the different regions/ countries and teams.
• Ability to lead, coach and develop direct reports.
• Ability to understand broader business perspectives and approach complex issues with appropriate solutions.
• Possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• High level of integrity, respect for others, persistence and passion for success.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and navigate in a complex environment.
• Ability to work across different and diverse cultures.
• Ability to stand alone and influence without direct authority.