Senior Counsel, Head of APAC Legal

The Senior Counsel, Head of APAC serves as the primary legal business partner for all operations across the Asia‑Pacific region. This role is responsible for managing and advising on a broad range of legal matters supporting commercial growth, supply chain operations, manufacturing and real estate expansion, distribution models, and regulatory compliance across multiple APAC jurisdictions.

The role operates as part of the global Legal organization and works closely with regional business leaders, global functional partners (Commercial, Finance, Supply Chain, Quality, HR, IT), and external counsel to support business execution while managing risk in a complex, multi‑jurisdictional regulatory landscape.

Commercial & Contractual Support

Lead the drafting, negotiation, and management of complex commercial agreements across the APAC region, including: Master Services Agreements (MSAs) Supply, manufacturing, and OEM agreements Distribution, reseller, and logistics agreements Strategic collaboration and technology‑related agreements

Provide practical, business‑oriented legal advice to accelerate deal execution while ensuring compliance with company risk standards.

Develop and maintain region‑specific contracting playbooks and fallback positions aligned with global legal policies.

Distribution & Channel Models

Advise on distribution structures across APAC, including exclusive/non‑exclusive distributors, agents, and third‑party logistics providers.

Support the establishment, review, and termination of distribution relationships in compliance with local laws, competition requirements, and company policies.

Assess legal risk related to pricing, rebates, exclusivity, compliance with anti‑bribery and anti‑corruption laws, and trade practices in local markets.

Real Estate & Facilities

Lead legal support for APAC real estate and facilities matters, including: Leases, renewals, and amendments Site expansions and terminations Manufacturing and office locations

Coordinate with local counsel and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance with local property laws, zoning, environmental, and workforce‑related requirements.

Regulatory, Compliance & Governance

Advise on local corporate governance matters, including entity management, board and director changes, and statutory filings.

Support compliance with regional regulatory frameworks impacting operations and commercial activity, including: Anti‑bribery and anti‑corruption requirements Trade compliance and sanctions Data protection and privacy laws (in coordination with global privacy counsel)

Partner with compliance, quality, and regulatory teams to address audits, inspections, and remediation activities in the region.

Risk Management & Strategic Advisory

Identify, assess, and manage legal risks associated with business expansion and operations across APAC.

Escalate material legal and compliance issues to global Legal leadership and support enterprise risk management initiatives.

Provide proactive legal counsel on strategic initiatives, acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, and restructuring activities involving APAC entities.

Outside Counsel & Budget Management

Select, manage, and oversee external counsel across multiple APAC jurisdictions.

Drive efficiency and cost control in the use of external legal resources.

Ensure consistent legal quality and adherence to company standards across jurisdictions.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Leadership

Serve as the primary legal point of contact for APAC business leadership.

Collaborate closely with global Legal colleagues to ensure consistency of legal advice, policies, and risk tolerance.

Contribute to the development of global legal policies, templates, and training materials informed by APAC requirements.

Education & Licensure

Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree from an accredited institution.

Admission to practice law in at least one jurisdiction; APAC bar admission(s) a plus.

Experience

6+ years of legal experience, including a combination of: In‑house legal experience supporting APAC operations, and/or Experience at a multinational law firm with significant APAC commercial practice.

Demonstrated experience negotiating complex commercial and distribution agreements in multiple APAC countries.

Experience advising on real estate, entity governance, and regulatory matters across Asia‑Pacific.

Skills & Competencies

Strong commercial mindset with the ability to balance risk management and business enablement.

Deep understanding of cross‑border contracting and regional regulatory variability.

Excellent judgment, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills.

Ability to operate independently across jurisdictions while aligning with global legal strategy.

Comfortable working across cultures, time zones, and languages.