Legal Counsel, Japan Power (法務顧問、日本電力)

bp; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global energy company is seeking a full-time Legal Counsel to support its power trading business in Japan from its Singapore office. The ideal candidate will have strong transactional experience, particularly in the Japanese energy sector, along with excellent Japanese language drafting skills. This role provides an opportunity to contribute to the growth of bp's renewable energy initiatives and engage in complex legal matters, making it essential for applicants to possess a qualified legal background and significant professional experience.

Benefits

Life and health insurance

Learning and development opportunities

Social communities and networks

Discretionary bonuses

Retirement and savings plans

Qualifications

• Strong ability to prioritize conflicting demands.
• Experience in drafting Japanese transaction documents.
• Ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide full legal support to the Japan power business.
• Advise on power purchase agreements and trading contracts.
• Handle disputes and regulatory investigations.

Skills

Strong experience in transactional matters

Proficiency in Japanese language drafting

Excellent Japanese language drafting skills

Professional working proficiency in English

Education

Qualified to practice law in Japan or another jurisdiction

6-8 years post qualification experience

Job description

Full time Legal Counsel, Japan Power (法務顧問、日本電力) | Singapore, Singapore | 5 days ago

• Job category: Legal
• Experience level: Senior
• Relocation available: This role is not eligible for relocation
• Job type: Professionals
• Travel required: Negligible travel should be expected with this role
• Job code: RQ100077

About the Role

Sitting within the bp power trading team in Tokyo or the bp supply, trading & shipping (ST&S) legal team in Singapore, this role will support bp’s power trading business in Japan. The selected candidate will be located in Singapore.

bp’s ST&S business trades energy commodities across the globe including crude oil, refined products, gas, power and renewables. Its power business is active in a variety of markets across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, both physically and financially, and is seeking to grow significantly in Asia Pacific.

bp’s electricity trading and origination organization is growing its activity in the Japanese power market. This business will be responsible for the business development, origination and marketing to new and existing customers of power supply/offtake, and renewable initiatives.

This role provides a unique opportunity to support a new and growing business for bp in Japan and play an active role in bp’s shift from an international oil company to an integrated energy company. The role would be most suitable for a lawyer with strong experience in transactional matters and proficiency in Japanese language drafting.

Key Accountabilities / 主要な責務

• Providing full legal support to the Japan power business on power trading and power origination including advising on power purchase agreements, greenfield and brownfield financing of power and power supply and trading contracts for projects and markets in Japan.
• Generally part of the ST&S legal team in the Asia Pacific region supporting bespoke power business transactions and day to day trading activities in Japan. Includes advising on transaction structures and drafting and negotiating transaction documentation for complex offtake and supply arrangements including renewable power and battery offtake deals.
• Advising on new projects and strategic initiatives.
• Handling a variety of disputes relating to trading contracts and governmental and regulatory investigations.
• Working closely with and establishing good working relationships with ST&S legal colleagues in Singapore and in other regions together with bp legal specialist teams and outside counsel.
• Working confidently and effectively with business and functional stakeholders with minimal supervision, while promptly informing and working with managing counsel, ST&S on more complex and sensitive matters.
• Providing English / Japanese legal translation support.

Key Accountabilities / 主要な責務（日本語）

• 日本の電力事業に対し、電力トレーディングや発電事業に関する完全な法的サポートを提供する。
• アジア太平洋地域のST&S法務チームの一員として、日本でのオーダーメイドの電力トレーディングや日常的な取引活動をサポートする。
• 取引構造の助言、再生可能エネルギー電力や蓄電池の受給取引を含む複雑な受給・供給契約の取引文書の作成・交渉に関する助言を行う。
• 新規プロジェクトや戦略的イニシアチブに関して助言を行う。
• 取引契約や政府・規制当局の調査に関連する様々な紛争を処理する。
• シンガポール及び他地域のST&S法務スタッフ、bpの法律専門家チーム、外部弁護士と緊密に連携し、良好な協力関係を確立する。
• ビジネスステークホルダーや部門ステークホルダーと、最小限の監督のもと自信を持って効果的に協力する。
• 日本語間の法的文書翻訳支援を提供する。

Essential Education /必須学歴

• Qualified to practice law in Japan or another jurisdiction, noting that a Bengoshi qualification is not a strict requirement for the role. The candidate should ideally have 6 - 8 years post qualification experience. However, other candidates with appropriate skills and relevant experience may also be considered.
• 日本または他の法域における法律家の資格を有すること。ただし、日本の「弁護士」資格は必須条件ではありません。資格取得後6~8年の実務経験があれば尚可。ただし、適切なスキルや関連する経験を持つ他の志願者も、選考対象になり得ます。

Essential Experience and Job Requirements / 必須経験および職務要件

• Substantial experience in drafting Japanese transaction documents.
• Transactional experience in an international team or company.
• Ability to prioritise conflicting demands, operate independently and effectively against short timelines and provide prompt and commercially focused advice.
• Excellent Japanese language drafting skills; and professional working proficiency in English.
• An ability to work internationally and with different cultures.
• Proven track record as an effective team player who is able to work flexibly to support a broad spectrum of legal matters from routine day-to-day issues to complex high-value bespoke transactions.
• Ability to build and maintain strong professional working relationships and promote networking, open communication and effective collaboration.
• Ability to understand and navigate uncertain boundaries and trade offs between risks and rewards.
• Highly motivated to learn about commodities trading, the renewables business and the energy transition.
• Willing to learn, work on time sensitive transactions and maintain a positive attitude.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication and influencing skills and a willingness to support others.
• Experience working in an environment that requires a deep understanding of commercial drivers.
• Collaborative team working approach to trading and origination.
• 日本語による取引文書の作成に関する豊富な経験。
  国際的なチームまたは企業における取引業務の経験。
  相反する要求に優先順位を付け、短いスケジュールでも独立して効果的に業務を遂行し、商業的に的を射た助言を迅速に提供する能力。
  日本語での優れた草稿作成スキルおよび業務に支障のない英語習熟度。
  国際的に、そして異文化のもとで業務を遂行する能力。
  日常的な法務課題から複雑かつ高額の特注取引まで、幅広い法務案件を柔軟にサポートできる、有能なチームプレーヤーとしての実績。
  強固で専門的な仕事上の関係を構築・維持し、人脈、オープンなコミュニケーション、効果的な連携を促進する能力。
  リスクとリターンの間の不確かな境界やトレードオフを理解し、うまく対応する能力。
  コモディティ取引、再生可能エネルギー事業、エネルギー転換について学ぶ強い意欲。
  学習意欲があり、時間的制約のある取引案件に取り組み、前向きな姿勢を維持する意欲。
  優れた対人関係スキル、コミュニケーションスキル、影響力を発揮するスキルを示し、他者を支援する意欲。
  商業的要因を深く理解することが求められる環境での業務経験。
  トレーディングおよびオリジネーションにおける協調的なチームワークの姿勢

Desirable criteria / 望ましい条件

• Experience in Japanese power markets (both sophisticated and emerging), including drafting and negotiating bankable PPAs will be desirable but is not essential for this role.
• Previous experience in advising on regulatory matters in Japan is advantageous. Regulatory advisory experience involving power trading in Japan and dealings with METI are desirable but not essential.
• Experience in commodity trading and understanding of the market dynamics as well as the risks in Japan would be helpful.
• Experience in advising on complex trade finance arrangements, M&A and JVs would also be helpful.
• Sound competition/antitrust, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption law knowledge.
• 日本の電力市場(成熟市場および新興市場の双方)における経験、特に金融機関が融資可能と判断するPPAのドラフトおよび交渉の経験を有することが望ましいものの、必須ではありません。
  日本における規制関連事項に関する助言の経験があることは有利となります。
  日本における電力取引に関する規制についての助言の経験やMETI(経済産業省)との折衝を行った経験は望ましいものの、必須ではありません。
  商品取引の経験および日本の市場力学やリスクに対する理解が役立ちます。
  複雑な貿易金融契約、M&A、JVについて助言した経験も役立ち得ます。
  健全な競争/反トラスト、制裁、贈収賄防止、汚職関連の法律知識。

Benefits and Environment

• A company culture where we respect our diverse and unified teams, where we are proud of our achievements and where fun and the attitude of giving back to our environment are highly valued.
• Possibility to join our social communities and networks.
• Learning opportunities and other development opportunities to craft your career path.
• Life and health insurance, medical care package.
• And many other benefits!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform crucial job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Legal Disclaimer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks. Our innovative Energize recognition points programme and spot awards translate exceptional performance into tangible rewards, to motivate our high performers.

Pay

bp offers competitive pay in line with industry standards, making us an employer of choice.

Discretionary bonus

We offer discretionary bonuses to reward strong company, business unit and individual performance, and recognition awards, including those related to long service to recognize commitment to the company.

Retirement & savings

We offer a range of discretionary retirement and savings plans to help provide you and your family with financial security.

Insurance benefits

To give you additional peace of mind, bp provides valuable insurance benefits in some countries. These are designed to provide financial assistance to employees and their families if employees become unwell or die in service.

Equity

Depending on your location and job level, there may be equity (stock and share) options you are eligible to join so you can be part of bp’s success.