Legal Director

The incumbent reporting directly to the South Asia Legal Director, with an indirect reporting line to the General Manager SAT Cluster, the Legal Director will be responsible for advising on all legal matters affecting the business in the SAT (Singapore, Australia+, Thailand) cluster. The role aims to support the achievement of corporate and commercial objectives while ensuring full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and effective monitoring and management of legal risks.

The incumbent will safeguard the legal interests of JTI's operations in the SAT cluster, providing expert legal advice and operational support to the General Manager and Senior Management as a member of the Executive Team. This includes driving business and operational effectiveness through sound legal counsel.

The Legal Director will also establish and maintain strong relationships across all functions to ensure appropriate awareness, management, and mitigation of legal matters and associated risks.

As the Legal Director, you will be responsible for:
1. Legal Advice, Compliance & Business Commitments
As a member of the local Excom provide timely and strategic legal advice to the Executive Committee and broader business on all applicable laws and regulatory matters, ensuring legal considerations are embedded in both operational plans and long-term strategic initiatives. Identify legally compliant solutions and opportunities within SAT's complex regulatory environment to support the achievement of business objectives and commitments. Advise M&S teams on proposed activities, ensuring all personnel understand relevant legislative restrictions and legal risks, and that initiatives are developed and executed in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

2.Legal Support
Provide solution-oriented legal advice to M&S teams on proposed initiatives, including product, packaging and route to consumer matters, ensuring full understanding of legislative requirements and restrictions, while maintaining business continuity, competitiveness and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Draft, review, and negotiate general commercial contracts, offering strategic legal guidance to senior management to support business decisions. Advise on litigation and dispute resolution strategies, ensuring effective risk management and alignment with business objectives. Oversee and manage legal matters across a broad range of areas including employment law, IT, health & safety, advertising, labeling and packaging, consumer protection, labour laws, global supply chain and company secretarial responsibilities. Manage external counsel relationships, including planning, reviewing, and controlling legal budgets to ensure cost-effective and high-quality legal support.

3. Regulatory Affairs
Provide expert legal advice on the evolving and increasingly complex regulatory landscape, identifying opportunities for competitive advantage while ensuring the business remains informed and compliant. Monitor and review developments in relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks, proactively informing the business in a timely manner to support strategic planning and operational alignment. Support the Corporate Affairs & Communications (CA&C) team by providing legal insights on regulatory and legislative developments, contributing to the formulation of effective strategies, including on taxation structures and Anti Illicit Trade (AIT), that protect and advance JTI's interests.

4. Compliance & Governance
Provide legal advice on key compliance areas including competition law, data privacy, digital ecosystems, economic sanctions, transparency obligations, and anti-bribery regulations, ensuring the business remains aligned with global and local legal requirements. Organize and deliver appropriate compliance training for employees on applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies to foster a culture of integrity and legal awareness. Ensure ongoing compliance with JTI policies and procedures through regular audits and assessments, identifying and mitigating potential risks. Collaborate with the wider JTI Legal team to develop and implement training programs, precedents, guidance notes, and legal updates for employees and management, promoting consistent and high legal standards across the organization.

5.Business Partnership
Build and maintain trusted working relationships with the SAT Executive Committee and broader business teams in the SAT Cluster, fostering collaboration and trust ensuring early and valuable legal insights and contributions to business matters. Proactively anticipate and understand business needs, strategic plans, and associated risks and opportunities to deliver value-adding, solution-oriented legal advice that supports the achievement of business commitments. Actively participate in Executive Committee discussions and decision-making processes, contributing legal insight to major strategic initiatives and operational planning. Collaborate with the wider JTI Legal team to develop and implement training programs, precedents, guidance notes, and legal updates for employees and management, ensuring consistent legal standards and awareness across the organization.

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications: University degree in law. Qualified lawyer with a professional qualification to practice law. 8+ years of relevant post qualification experience in a law firm or in an international FMCG company at senior level
Language: Fluency in English is required
Functional Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage high volumes of work efficiently. Good working knowledge of Excel/Word/ PowerPoint.