Senior Legal Counsel

Reports to the CEO

About the role

AVTEL is a security systems integrator with a strong B2B customer base, including global leaders in data centres, technology, and retail. AVTEL is a member of SECOM Group, one of the largest security service providers in the world. AVTEL is active across several jurisdictions with leading presence, especially in the APAC and EMEA regions.

This is a hands-on, first in-house legal hire role in a growing international business. You will act as the primary legal advisor to the business, working closely with senior leadership whilst partnering with external counsel, where needed.

• You will serve as AVTEL's key in-house advisor, providing proactive and strategic legal support to protect AVTEL's interests across multiple jurisdictions.

• You will work with external legal advisors across jurisdictions and will have the opportunity to shape how the legal function develops as the business grows, in close collaboration with AVTEL leadership and SECOM headquarters in Tokyo.

• You will be responsible for reviewing complex commercial contracts, managing compliance with regulations, building a legal and compliance team, handling intellectual property, and mitigating risk in a security technology environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategy, Management, Governance

• Build a new legal and compliance framework for AVTEL.

• Advise senior management on legal implications of internal business decisions, strategic partnerships, and potential acquisitions.

• Provide legal guidance during crisis management situations.

• Manage outside counsel and legal budget.

• Support corporate secretarial matters and ensure compliance with corporate laws and governance requirements in operating countries.

  2. International Commercial Contracts & Negotiations

• Draft, review, and negotiate B2B customer contracts, vendor agreements, partnership agreements, and subcontracts, focusing on security integration services and technology sales.

• Ensure all commercial contracts align with company policies and risk management frameworks.

• Provide legal input to Sales and other teams on tender documents and proposals.

  3. International Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Advise on key compliance topics, including business licenses, international trade laws and export controls for security technology, data privacy (GDPR/local laws), AI policies and regulations, employment, and anti-corruption regulations.

• Develop processes to mitigate potential compliance risks.

• Oversee internal investigations and support internal and external audits.

• Develop, maintain, and train staff on company compliance policies, ethics, and standard operating procedures.

Qualifications, Skills & Attributes

• Education: Law degree from a recognised institution.

• Qualification: Licensed lawyer in a common law or English-speaking jurisdiction.

• Experience: Approximately 6-10 years PQE, international law firm or in-house experience in a multinational corporation. Industry experience related to security, construction, technology and engineering sectors preferred, but not essential.

• Capability: This role is well suited to a lawyer currently performing at this level or looking to take their first step into a broad, business-facing in-house leadership role.

• International Expertise: Demonstrated experience with cross-border transactions and international regulatory compliance (e.g. GDPR, export controls).

• Commercial Acumen: Strong business acumen and the ability to balance legal risks with commercial objectives.

• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate legal advice to non-legal personnel.

• Languages: Fluency in English is required for cross-border work. Business-level proficiency in other languages relevant to the company's operational regions is a plus (e.g. Japanese).

• Enjoys working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Innovative approach to problem-solving.