Legal Counsel

Job Description - Legal Counsel (MER0003KBY)

Description

Reports to General Counsel of Malaysia & Singapore - Partners and advises the business to drive continued performance and growth, acts as key legal strategist, as well as assists in managing local legal function.

1) Partners and advises the business to drive continued performance and growth

• Reports to the General Counsel of Malaysia and Singapore and take on task as may be assign from day to day to support the MY/SG business
• Acts as day-to-day legal point of contact and company secretarial topics for local business stakeholders (in Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Singapore and Mercedes-Benz Fleet Management Singapore)
• Builds strong relationships between the Legal team and business functions
• Provides legal consultation and support, both for day-to-day and operational matters, as well as for strategical and tactical projects and initiatives of the local business
• Supports stakeholders and takes an active role in negotiation of legal topics and legal documents with business partners, regulators/ authorities and other external parties
• Drafts, reviews, negotiates and advises on a wide range of contracts to ensure the business’ legal rights and interests are protected and/ or enforced, and to minimise legal risks or breaches of law/ contract
• Takes care of disputes/ litigation matters as well as investigations and audits (internal & external) where relevant to the Legal function, as and when the need arises

2) Acts as key legal strategist and risk manager

• Prepares and approves legal templates (including contracts, T&Cs)
• Maintenance of corporate governance portfolio, including registers and requirements under the Companies Act, and liaising with corporate secretarial service providers.
• Keeps abreast of legal developments trends, and manages proactive communication with stakeholders, including advising on potential impacts on the business.
• Provides updates and training on legal relevant topics to management and employees.
• Drafts and reviews internal legal processes, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and internal Mercedes-Benz-group requirements.
• Supports Mercedes-Benz Legal HQ in relation to reviews, audits and compliance measures.
• Aligns and collaborates with the Mercedes-Benz Group Compliance functions.

3) Manages local legal function

• Participates in internal and regional Legal team meetings/ conferences.
• Involved in hiring and managing legal interns and resources (if any).
• Selects, liaises with and supervises external lawyers, ensuring high quality and value of external legal support, including cost-efficiency.
• Planning for and execution of Legal-related tools and technology, related to digitalisation goals of the business.
• Implementation of Legal strategy and vision, including supporting the Regional General Counsel in developing and implementing plans to support the Legal team goals.

• Candidates must possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from a recognized university
• Masters of Law degree is a plus
• Admitted to the Singapore Bar and/or UK Bar
• 3-5 years of legal working experience at a legal firm and with in-house legal department (multinational company is a plus) and/ or (2) a law firm (international law firm is a plus)
• Automotive/Finance industry experience is a plus

Attitude and Skills

• High and consistent level of integrity, including being able to take a personal stand, to take responsibility and be accountable.
• Profound knowledge in the following areas: general corporate and commercial law, contract law, consumer law, competition/ antitrust law, data protection (knowledge of GDPR is a plus), technology law, intellectual property law, employment law.
• Particular experience/ expertise in the following areas: financing and leasing matters (knowledge of vehicle financing including hire purchase regulations would be a plus), collections and restructuring, corporate secretarial issues.
• Good legal research and writing skills, and able to think analytically and strategically.
• Proficiency in drafting, reviewing, negotiating and advising on a wide range of commercial contracts.
• Capable of translating complex legal topics into brief and comprehensible legal analysis, with concrete and precise recommendations.
• Strong ability to understand business needs and partner with business to create solutions.
• Effective communication skills (both written and verbal, in particular with business stakeholders as well as management), including presentation and training skills.
• Ability to manage conflict and resolve/ mediate disputes.
• Penchant for networking and interacting in a larger global team, and experienced in working with and managing external lawyers.
• Be able to multi-task, and work under pressure and tight time schedules.
• Basic computer literacy (at a minimum, proficiency in Microsoft Office)