Legal Director - Singapore, Australia+, Thailand

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Global applicants are welcome
Department: Legal
Reporting to: Legal Director SEA
Role: Permanent

 
Legal Director - Singapore, Australia+, and Thailand

The role:

Reporting directly to the South Asia Legal Director, with an indirect reporting line to the General Manager SAT Cluster, the Legal Director will be responsible for advising on all legal matters affecting the business in the SAT (Singapore, Australia+, Thailand) cluster. The role strives to support the achievement of corporate and commercial objectives while ensuring full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and effective monitoring and management of legal risks.

The incumbent will safeguard the legal interests of JTI’s operations in the SAT cluster, providing expert legal advice and operational support to the General Manager and Senior Management as a member of the Executive Team. This includes driving business and operational efficiency through sound legal counsel.

The Legal Director will also establish and maintain strong relationships across all functions to ensure appropriate awareness, management, and mitigation of legal matters and associated risks.

Responsibilities:

• Legal Advice, Compliance & Business Commitments
  • As a member of the local Excom, provide timely and strategic legal advice to the Executive Committee and broader business on all applicable laws and regulatory matters, ensuring legal considerations are embedded in both operational plans and long-term critical initiatives.
    Identify legally compliant solutions and opportunities within SAT’s complex regulatory environment to support the achievement of business objectives and commitments.
  • Advise Sales and Marketing teams on proposed activities, ensuring all personnel understand relevant legislative restrictions and legal risks, and that initiatives are developed and implemented in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Legal Support
  • Provide practical legal advice to Marketing & Sales teams on initiatives involving product, packaging, and route to consumer matters. Ensure they fully understand legislative requirements and restrictions. Maintain business continuity, competitiveness, and compliance with all laws and regulations.  
  • Draft, review, and negotiate general commercial contracts, offering strategic legal guidance to senior management to support business decisions.
  • Advise on litigation and dispute resolution strategies, ensuring effective risk management and alignment with business objectives.
  • Oversee and lead legal matters across a broad range of areas, including employment law, IT, health & safety, advertising, labelling and packaging, consumer protection, labour laws, global supply chain and company secretarial responsibilities.
  • Run external counsel relationships, including planning, reviewing, and controlling legal budgets to ensure cost-effective and high-quality legal support.
• Regulatory Affairs
  • Provide specialized legal mentorship on the evolving and increasingly complex regulatory landscape governing tobacco and reduced-risk products. Find opportunities for competitive advantage while ensuring the business stays informed and compliant.  
  • Monitor and review developments in relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks, proactively informing the business promptly to support long-term planning and operational alignment.  
  • Support the Corporate Affairs & Communications (CA&C) team by providing legal insights on regulatory and legislative developments, contributing to the formulation of effective strategies, including on taxation structures and Anti Illicit Trade (AIT), that protect and advance JTI's interests.
• Compliance & Governance
  • Provide legal advice on key compliance areas, including competition law, data privacy, digital ecosystems, economic sanctions, visibility obligations, and anti-bribery regulations, ensuring the business remains aligned with global and local legal requirements.
  • Organise and deliver appropriate compliance training for employees on applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies to develop a culture of integrity and legal awareness.
  • Ensure ongoing compliance with JTI policies and procedures through regular audits and assessments, identifying and mitigating potential risks.
  • Collaborate with the wider JTI Legal team to develop and implement training programs, precedents, guidance notes, and legal updates for employees and management, promoting consistent and high legal standards across the organisation.
• Business Partnership
  • Build and maintain trusted working relationships with the SAT Executive Committee and broader business teams in the SAT Cluster, fostering collaboration and trust, ensuring early and valuable legal insights and contributions to business matters.
  • Proactively anticipate and understand business needs, strategic plans, and associated risks and opportunities to deliver valuable, practical legal advice that supports fulfilling business commitments.  
  • Actively participate in Executive Committee discussions and decision-making processes, supplying legal insight to major strategic initiatives and operational planning.
  • Collaborate with the broader JTI Legal team to build and deliver training programs, precedents, mentorship notes, and legal updates for employees and management.   This ensures consistent legal standards and awareness across the organisation.                                                                                                                                                         

Requirements:

• University degree in law. Qualified lawyer with a professional qualification to practice law.
• At least 8 years of relevant post-qualification experience in a law firm or in an international FMCG company at a senior level.
• Fluent in the English language
• Excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage high volumes of work efficiently.
• Good working knowledge of Excel/Word/ PowerPoint.

Are you ready to join us? Build your success story at JTI. Apply now!

Next Steps:

After applying, if selected, please anticipate the following within 1-3 weeks of the job posting closure: Phone screening with Talent Advisor > Assessment tests > Interviews > Offer. Each step is eliminatory and may vary by role type.

At JTI, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive work environment. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you need any specific support, alternative formats, or have other access requirements, please let us know.