Role Summary:

We are seeking a commercially minded and detail-oriented Legal Counsel to support the group's corporate legal function with a focus on capital markets, M&A, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.

This is a high-exposure role, working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving legal aspects of strategic investments, fundraisings, and board governance across multiple jurisdictions, while contributing to the development of a strong compliance culture across the group.

The role requires sound judgment, a strong sense of professional independence, and the ability to present legal and strategic perspectives constructively to support well-informed, balanced decision-making at the senior level.

Key Responsibilities:

1. M&A & Strategic Investments

• Lead the legal structuring, due diligence, negotiation, and execution of M&A transactions, joint ventures, and portfolio investments across different jurisdictions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate transaction documents including term sheets, Share Purchase Agreements, shareholders' agreements, and investment agreements.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders (finance, tax, external counsel) on cross-border deal execution and post-merger integration.
• Monitor legal rights and obligations under investment contracts and advise on governance and compliance implications.
• Proactively identify legal risks and opportunities in potential deals and support investment strategy formulation.

2. Capital Markets & Fundraising Support

• Provide legal advisory on capital raising activities including private placements, bond issuances, convertible securities, and other structured financing.
• Liaise with financial advisors, underwriters, and external counsel in the preparation of offering documents and disclosures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable securities laws, stock exchange rules (e.g., SGX, HKEX, US SEC regulations), and regulatory filing requirements.
• Good understanding of various Takeover Codes (mainly SGX) or related securities laws and regulations in relation to takeovers.
• Support investor relations and disclosure processes in coordination with finance and communications teams.

3. Corporate Governance & Secretariat

• Support the Company Secretary in coordinating board and shareholder meetings, including drafting board resolutions, meeting minutes, and maintaining statutory registers.
• Ensure group entities comply with corporate governance standards and regulatory obligations in Singapore and other operating jurisdictions.
• Liaise with external corporate secretarial providers to ensure timely lodgements and accurate record keeping.
• Provide guidance to directors and senior management on their duties, conflict management, and governance practices.
• Assist with governance matters relating to subsidiaries and joint ventures globally.

4. Regulatory Compliance & Legal Training

• Monitor legal and regulatory developments relevant to the business, including corporate, financial, and operational compliance requirements.
• Develop and implement internal policies and procedures to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.
• Design and deliver internal legal training (e.g., directors' duties, anti-bribery, AML, data protection, insider trading).
• Assist in maintaining registers and controls related to compliance (e.g., insider lists, code of conduct).

5. Legal Advisory & Operational Support

• Act as the legal business partner to key departments on investment structuring, corporate finance, and governance matters.
• Support strategic projects, including internal reorganizations, holding company restructuring, and cross-border entity management.
• Review, draft, and manage a range of legal documents including service agreements, confidentiality agreements, and board-level documentation.
• Provide legal insight to cross-functional strategic initiatives, especially those involving third-party partnerships, investor interactions, or regional expansions.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB or equivalent); admitted to practice in Singapore or a common law jurisdiction.
• 4-7 years of post-qualification experience, ideally from a combination of private practice (corporate or capital markets) and in-house legal roles.
• Demonstrated experience in capital markets transactions, M&A, and corporate governance in an investment holding or listed company environment.
• Familiarity with US SEC regulations and securities law is a plus.
• Strong understanding of corporate secretarial practices, securities laws, and regulatory reporting obligations.
• Excellent legal drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with senior management and cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to exercise independent thinking and provide clear, pragmatic advice that constructively challenges assumptions where appropriate.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Mandarin proficiency is a plus for regional deal and governance coordination.
• Understanding and exposure to China markets in relation to various corporate structures is a plus.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with confidence in engaging external stakeholders and counterparties.