Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a leading institution of higher learning and an Institution of Public Character (IPC), globally recognised for its academic and research excellence. NTU is dedicated to nurturing tomorrow's leaders and shaping the future through education, research and innovation.
The Legal and Secretarial Office (LSO) plays a pivotal role in enabling NTU's mission and vision. We are a high-performing team committed to providing strategic legal counsel, fostering strong partnerships and driving legal and compliance efficiency across the University.
We are seeking a Senior Assistant Director/Deputy Director, Legal who is a proactive doer, a person who takes initiative, gets things done and thrives in a dynamic environment. This role requires a hands-on, solution-oriented lawyer who is eager to drive impactful change and be at the forefront of legal and compliance strategy within one of Asia's top universities.
Key Responsibilities
1. Provide Strategic Legal Advice
- Advise and support the University's strategic initiatives and projects, serving as a trusted counsel to leadership.
- Advise on and, at appropriate times, independently manage litigation, employment disputes (in partnership with HR) and other contentious matters.
- Investigate queries and complaints relating to breaches or non-compliance with laws or University policies.
- Lead and drive strategic initiatives that enhance NTU's legal and compliance architecture.
- Provide legal advice and recommendations on a broad range of legal and compliance matters, including partnerships, research collaborations, procurement and IT contracts, retail leases, MOUs and LOIs etc.
2. Refine and Optimise Process
- Continuously enhance and streamline legal and compliance processes to drive excellence, identifying bottlenecks and implementing improvements aligned with NTU's strategic objectives.
- Enable and, where appropriate, lead the inception and review of legal and compliance policies, processes and systems.
- Implement and administer ethics and compliance programmes, including data governance and privacy training and awareness activities.
3. Enable Partnerships
- Foster productive relationships across the University to enhance legal and compliance strategies and outcomes.
- Proactively engage and partner with Schools and Departments to strengthen legal and compliance frameworks across NTU.
4. Advocacy and Change Management
- Act as a change agent, influencing policies and practices to align with NTU's broader strategic goals.
- Champion legal and compliance excellence across the organisation, driving a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Key Requirements
- At least 16 years of relevant post-qualification experience (PQE), gained either in-house or at a reputable law firm.
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a reputable university.
- Self-starter who takes initiative and drives results with a high degree of autonomy.
- Creative thinker who can develop pragmatic and effective legal solutions.
- Demonstrated ability to engage and influence leadership.
- Strong analytical capabilities to assess risk, analyse complex flows and evaluate legal and compliance strategies.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee high-impact initiatives.
- Sound knowledge of data protection laws, governance practices and compliance frameworks.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, actionable insights for a variety of audiences.
- Team player who actively collaborates with legal, compliance and business professionals.
- Positive outlook, growth mindset and a genuine commitment to driving meaningful change.
We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
Hiring Institution: NTU
