Vita Partners is Asia-Pacific's largest pan-regional pure-play life science, innovation and R&D real estate platform, backed Australian headquartered multinational real estate company Lendlease and leading US private equity growth investor Warburg Pincus. The platform focuses on investing, acquiring, developing, constructing, managing, and operating real estate projects in fast-growing life sciences, innovation and R&D real estate markets in Asia-Pacific. The company operates within two main segments – a high-barrier-to-entry life sciences project construction management business and a specialized investment management business. Since the 2000s, the project construction management business has worked on over 200 projects in Asia-Pacific for more than 100 blue-chip life sciences and pharmaceutical companies, with many repeat clients. The investment management business currently manages SGD 2 billion of AUM on behalf of institutional investors, with strong aspirations for growth within the region.
Job Role
Reporting to and supporting the Head of Legal, Construction, this role mainly supports and contributes to the delivery of legal and compliance activities across the business in Asia Pacific, by providing legal analysis, contract review, and advisory support, and by communicating relevant organisational legal and compliance policies, legal rights, obligations, and requirements to stakeholders, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and internal governance standards.
Role Overview
The Legal Counsel supports the legal and compliance needs of the business in (a) real estate matters (including asset management, property management, leasing matters); (b) investment management matters; and (c) project & construction management related matters. The role also covers compliance, and other general legal matters and other matters handled by the in‑house legal function (including from time to time insurance-related matters), as required.
Key Responsibilities
Real Estate Matters
- Support legal aspects of real estate transactions, including due diligence and review of transaction documentation.
- Provide legal advice and support to property management business on lease related matters, including reviewing, and negotiating leasing agreements, including renewals and amendments.
- Provide legal advice and support to property management business on tenant, vendor, and operational matters, including reviewing, and negotiating works and services contracts for the owned/managed Assets.
- Prepare, review, and maintain real estate‑related contracts and agreement templates.
Investment Management Matters
- Provide legal advice and support to investment management business, including reviewing investment transaction documentation, fund documentation.
- Prepare, review, and maintain investment management-related contracts and agreement templates.
Project & Construction Management Matters
- Provide legal advice and support to the project & construction management business, including review of construction contracts, professional services agreements, supply contracts, project legal support.
- Prepare, review, and maintain project & construction management-related contracts and agreement templates.
Disputes / Claims Management
- Support the management of disputes or claims, working with business / project teams and external counsel where necessary.
General Corporate Advisory
- Provide legal advice and support to the organisation and various Functions on general corporate matters
- Draft, review, and prepare a range of corporate and legal documents, including NDAs, service agreements, consultancy agreements, and letters of agreement.
- Contribute to legal analysis and review activities to support informed business decision‑making.
Compliance
- Support compliance with applicable laws, regulations, organisational policies, and governance frameworks.
- Contribute to the development, review, interpretation, and maintenance of legal and compliances policies, procedures, databases, and records.
- Assist with maintaining confidential files, databases, and reporting mechanisms (including misconduct reporting hotlines), in compliance with legislative and organisational requirements.
- Support the communication of organisational policies and legal updates to ensure compliant operations.
Research & General Legal Support
- Conduct legal research on legislative, regulatory, and industry‑specific requirements relevant to the business.
- Assist in identifying potential legal risks and contributing to practical, commercially appropriate solutions.
- Support other general legal matters handled by the in‑house legal function, as required.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Relevant tertiary qualification in Law, Business Law, or a related discipline, with admission (or eligibility for admission) as an advocate and solicitor.
- 2–4 years of post‑qualification experience (PQE)
- Experience supporting Legal and Compliance strategies, policies, procedures, and programs is preferred.
- Knowledge of, or exposure to, the construction and/or real estate industries, as well as relevant legislative requirements, is advantageous.
- Strong interpersonal ability and stakeholder management skills.
- Sound problem‑solving and analytical thinking capabilities.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
What you can expect from us
Every person at Vita Partners is critical to the success of the business. We believe high performing employees drive business growth. We support our people through ongoing engagement, by providing learning and development opportunities for future career progression and by recognising and rewarding exceptional achievements.If this resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all of the requirements. We're interested in getting to know you and explore how we can take your career forward. Apply now!
