Legal Director, Japan and South Korea (Orthopaedics)

About the role

DePuy Synthes is recruiting a Legal Director for Japan and South Korea, based in Tokyo. The role is the senior legal leader for the two markets, giving strategic and practical legal counsel to support business growth, innovation and risk management across the DePuy Synthes portfolio. It partners with commercial, medical, supply chain and corporate functions to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations. The role is highly visible and has direct impact on patient access, business performance and the integrity of operations.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal advisor for DePuy Synthes businesses in Japan and South Korea, supporting commercial, medical and operational activities.
• Provide strategic legal counsel on regulatory, compliance, corporate governance, commercial contracting and dispute matters.
• Ensure adherence to local laws, industry codes and company policies, including healthcare compliance requirements.
• Support investigations, litigation and government inquiries, working with in-house and external counsel.
• Review, draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements such as distributor, supplier and strategic partnership contracts.
• Advise leadership on risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with regional and global legal colleagues and the Privacy and Healthcare Compliance teams.
• Support organizational changes, transactions and strategic initiatives, including integration and separation-related activities.

Required profile

• Law degree (LLB, JD or equivalent) and professional qualifications to practice law in Japan.
• 10+ years of progressive legal experience, including significant time advising businesses in regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of commercial, regulatory and compliance law relevant to medical devices or healthcare.
• Experience managing external counsel and complex legal matters.
• Preferred: prior experience in medical device, pharmaceutical or life sciences; experience supporting multi-country or regional legal responsibilities; experience advising on South Korean legal issues; familiarity with corporate transactions, restructurings or business separations; leadership experience mentoring other legal professionals.
• Fluency in Japanese required; business-level English required; additional fluency in South Korean preferred.
• Up to about 20% domestic and international travel.