Legal Counsel (M&A and Corporate/Commercial)

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 providave 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.
• Admitted to the Singapore Bar (or equivalent common law jurisdiction).
• 3 to 5 years of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE) and 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.