Legal Director

PKF-CAP LLP; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm is seeking a Regional Legal Director based in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, or Indonesia. This role entails providing strategic legal leadership and overseeing governance for regional operations, advising on legal and regulatory risks, and ensuring alignment with business objectives. The ideal candidate possesses over 10 years of experience in maritime or international commercial law, with strong skills in governance and stakeholder management. Excellent leadership abilities are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• 10–12+ years of relevant legal experience, preferably in maritime law or shipping.
• Experience advising senior management in a multinational environment.
• Strong capability in legal risk governance and strategic judgment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the regional legal strategy and governance framework.
• Advise senior leadership on legal risks and compliance issues.
• Oversee significant disputes and manage relationships with external counsel.

Skills

Legal risk governance

Stakeholder management

Maritime law expertise

Cross-border legal management

Commercial acumen

Education

Master's degree in Law

Job description

Legal Director — Regional

(Based in Singapore / Malaysia / Thailand / Vietnam / Indonesia)

This Regional Legal Director role will provide strategic legal leadership and governance oversight for the Group’s overseas regional operations. This role is responsible for setting the regional legal framework, advising senior leadership on material legal and regulatory risks, and ensuring that legal strategy aligns with the Group’s long-term business objectives.

Legal Director serves as a trusted advisor to senior management and plays a critical role in shaping legal risk appetite, governance standards, and cross-border legal decision-making across multiple jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Strategy & Governance

• Define and lead the regional legal strategy and governance framework in alignment with business priorities.
• Establish legal principles, policies, and approval standards for contracts, transactions, and risk management.
• Advise senior leadership on material legal, regulatory, and reputational risks impacting regional operations.
• Set and oversee the region’s legal risk appetite and escalation framework.

Senior Advisory & Decision Support

• Act as a principal legal advisor to Senior Leadership, Regional Heads, and GMs.
• Provide strategic guidance on complex matters including commercial agreements, maritime and logistics operations, cross-border transactions, and regulatory issues.
• Review and approve high-value, high-risk, or strategic contracts and initiatives.
• Support M&A, restructuring, joint ventures, or strategic expansion activities when required.

Oversight of Legal Matters & External Counsel

• Oversee significant disputes, claims, litigation, and regulatory matters across the region.
• Lead and manage relationships with external law firms, regulators, and professional advisors, including strategy alignment and cost oversight.
• Ensure consistent legal standards and practices across different countries and entities.

Leadership & Capability Building

• Provide leadership, direction, and mentoring to regional legal resources (where applicable).
• Guide Senior Legal Managers and Legal Managers on complex or precedent-setting matters.
• Promote legal awareness, compliance culture, and best practices across the region.

Regulatory Monitoring & Business Impact

• Monitor regional legal and regulatory developments and assess their impact on business operations.
• Proactively advise leadership on required adjustments to strategy, structure, or operations.

Requirements

• 10–12+ years of relevant legal experience, preferably in maritime law, international commercial law, shipping, logistics, or trade-related industries.
• Master’s degree or above in Law, with specialization in Maritime Law.
• Proven experience advising senior management or executive leadership in a regional or multinational environment.
• Strong capability in legal risk governance, strategic judgment, and cross-border legal management.
• Demonstrate ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives at a strategic level.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Candidates may be based in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, or Indonesia.