Senior Counsel

About the role

Mastercard is seeking a Senior Counsel to join its Asia Pacific Global Markets legal team in Tokyo, Japan. The role focuses on providing comprehensive legal support for Mastercard’s business across Japan and Korea, as well as project‑based work throughout the region.

Key responsibilities

• Review, negotiate and draft contracts with customers, merchants and suppliers.
• Support applications for regulatory licences and monitor regulatory developments in assigned jurisdictions.
• Advise senior management on legal and commercial risks.
• Manage a network of external legal advisors and oversee corporate secretarial services.
• Handle privacy, data‑protection and anti‑money‑laundering matters.
• Assist with merger, acquisition and joint‑venture activities.
• Provide guidance to the Public Policy and Franchise departments.
• Deliver regional training on global law‑department policies and contracts.

Required profile

• Law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a reputable institution.
• Post‑graduate legal qualification (e.g., LLM) preferred.
• Minimum of 9 years post‑qualification experience, including experience in a reputable law firm handling commercial matters.
• Familiarity with banking and payments regulations is advantageous.

Required skills

• Contract negotiation and drafting.
• Regulatory licensing and compliance.
• Privacy law, data‑protection and AML expertise.
• Management of external counsel and corporate secretarial functions.
• Mergers & acquisitions and joint‑venture legal support.