Legal Director — Regional

Worldwide Logistics Singapore Pte Ltd; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A logistics company is seeking a Legal Director — Regional to provide strategic legal leadership across its overseas operations. The role requires defining and leading the regional legal strategy, advising senior management on key legal risks, and managing significant legal matters across multiple jurisdictions. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in maritime law or related fields and possess strong leadership and communication skills. Fluency in Mandarin is essential for managing relationships with stakeholders across the region.

Qualifications

• 10–12+ years of relevant legal experience in maritime or international commercial law.
• Experience advising senior management in a multinational environment.
• Strong strategic judgment balancing legal risk with commercial objectives.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the regional legal strategy and governance framework.
• Act as principal legal advisor to senior leadership.
• Oversee significant disputes and manage relationships with external law firms.

Skills

Legal risk governance

Stakeholder management

Cross-border legal management

Excellent communication

Fluency in Mandarin

Education

Master’s degree in Law

Job description

Legal Director — Regional

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

Job Summary

We are seeking a Legal Director — Regional to 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.

The 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, a culture of compliance, 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 specialisation 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.
• Demonstrated ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives at a strategic level.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluency in Mandarin is required to effectively work with Mandarin‑speaking counterparts across regional offices, headquarters, and external stakeholders, including contract review, negotiations, and legal communications.
• Candidates may be based in Singapore/Malaysia/ Thailand/ Vietnam, or Indonesia.