About the job
As a Legal Counsel within the Bank's Legal Department, you will operate in a high-octane environment, facilitating the day-to-day structuring and implementation of a broad range of legal strategies. This role is designed for a seasoned professional with experience in Financial Institutions (FIs) and is capable of balancing technical legal precision with the commercial realities of a digital banking ecosystem.
You will work directly with senior legal professionals to provide regulatory advisory on complex procurement, lead negotiations for intra-group transactions, M&As, and oversee the legal framework for product launches and strategic partnerships.
Role & Responsibilities
You will represent the Legal team in bank-wide projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams (Product, Data, Tech, Risk, and other control functions) to build a robust control function. Your core responsibilities include:
- Strategic Advisory: Provide high-level legal support to the Bank and its regional affiliates, ensuring alignment with both local and regional regulatory expectations.
- M&A & Corporate Transactions: Lead and assist in corporate exercises, including M&A activities, strategic investments, and joint ventures/ collaborations within the fintech and banking space.
- Commercial Negotiation: Draft, review, and negotiate complex transactional documents, including tech procurement (SaaS/PaaS), partnership agreements for digital ecosystems, and sophisticated intra-group regional service agreements.
- Digital Banking Focus: Advise on the legal nuances of launching and scaling digital banking products, specifically regarding information technology, data protection (PDPA), and intellectual property.
- Dispute & Risk Management: Manage legal disputes and provide guidance on corporate governance, ensuring the Bank's interests are protected in contentious matters.
- Innovation & Automation: Identify and implement legal technology solutions (AI-based tools, document automation) to streamline the legal workflows.
- External Counsel Management: Liaise and coordinate with external law firms, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality delivery of specialized legal services.
Job Requirements and Qualifications
The ideal candidate must be a commercially-minded lawyer who has successfully transitioned from private practice to an in-house environment.
- Education: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent from a reputable university.
- Professional Qualification: Admitted to the Singapore Bar (or equivalent common law jurisdiction).
- Experience Level: 5 to 8 years of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE)
- Minimum of 2-3 years of in-house experience, specifically within a Financial Institution (Bank, MAS-regulated entity, or Fintech).
- Proven track record in M&A and general corporate/commercial law.
- Deep familiarity with tech-related legal issues, including data privacy and IP.
- Previous exposure to the regulatory landscape governing banks in Singapore.
- Adaptability: Success in thriving within VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) environments.
- Collaboration: A team player with the ability to influence stakeholders across different business units.
- Communication: Exceptional drafting skills and the ability to translate complex legal risks into actionable business advice.
- Mindset: Self-driven, meticulous, and motivated to go the extra mile in a fast-paced, growth-oriented setting.
