In-House Legal Counsel

About the role

Sika, a specialty chemicals company active in the building and industrial sectors, is hiring an in-house Legal Counsel in Tokyo. The role acts as a trusted business partner, giving practical legal advice to support Sika's business in Japan and managing legal and compliance risks together with management and other functions.

Key responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate commercial agreements with customers, suppliers and other business partners.
• Carry out internal investigations in compliance matters.
• Analyze legal and regulatory developments and give solution-oriented advice, reporting projects, opportunities, results and issues to management.
• Advise on legal and reputational risks of contemplated transactions.
• Provide internal training and ensure legal and compliance activities follow Sika's policies and strategies.
• Build a network of stakeholders in a matrixed organization and collaborate across compliance, tax, finance, treasury, risk, labor and employment, real estate, IP, IT, litigation, EHS and communications.

Required profile

• Qualified lawyer admitted to a Japanese bar association (Bengoshi) or a recognized overseas jurisdiction.
• At least 3 years of post-qualification experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department.
• Native-level Japanese and fluent business English, written and spoken.
• Preferred: experience in compliance, competition/antitrust law, commercial contracting, employment law, dispute resolution, e-commerce or retail legal support, M&A, or in a manufacturing or multinational company; familiarity with APAC legal and compliance issues.

Required skills

• Sound knowledge of Japanese commercial law and regulations.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills, with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach.