On behalf of our client in Japan, we are currently seeking to hire a Legal Counsel to serve as the Head of the Legal Department. This senior role is crucial for steering the company through a complex legal landscape and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will provide strategic legal advice to the executive team, oversee all legal aspects of the business, and manage risk effectively while aligning with the company’s goals.

Responsibilities:

• Leadership:
• Serve the Japan Leadership Team with the General Manager, as well as peers from functional areas such as Medical, Commercial Business Units, Finance, Human Resources, Compliance and other R&D Functions. Awareness of tone throughout the organization and, working with the leadership team, ensuring a steadfast commitment to quality, integrity, compliance and uncompromising ethics.
• Lead the legal support for Japan, liaising effectively with worldwide lawyers supporting global functions within the group, including appropriate ensuring support of global or regional projects.
• Collaborate effectively with Law Department to problem solve and support the organization across diverse areas, including IP, privacy, corporate transactions, corporate secretary, global product supply, human resources, and litigation.
• Deliver pro-active, practical, solution-oriented advice that drives informed decision-making in support of Japan commercialization strategy and execution. Substantive areas of focus include the FCPA and other anti-bribery laws, local privacy laws, contracts, regulatory laws, competition laws, and policy issues.
• Serve as a member of the Japan Compliance Committee to support the Compliance and Ethics lead for Japan.
• Advise on procedural documents and provide education/training on relevant topics. Advise on monitoring and serve as Counsel on investigations, in close cooperation with the BMS global Compliance and Ethics Organization.
• Representative or coordination of participation on various external legal and compliance bodies.
• Support appropriate corporate governance
• Ensures Team Supports Business Activities and Appropriate Decision-Making through:
• Clear, expert and pragmatic legal advice that supports informed business decisions.
• Proactive identification and mitigation of potential legal risks.
• Championing simplification and clarification of policies, procedures and guidance affecting business activities.
• Participation in periodic internal audits of and, as appropriate, execution of audit follow-up actions.
• People Development :
• Manage high-performing direct reports, with a strong focus on developing their skills and capabilities and broadening their experiences.

Requirements:

• A law degree from a respected university. Licensed to practice Law in Japan.
• Knowledge of Japan pharmaceutical or related industry practices, applicable industry codes and relevant laws is required. Meaningful prior experience with contracts and corporate compliance programs.
• At least ten years of experience in the pharmaceutical or related industry is required. Successful experience in cross-functional interactions is required.

Benefits:
At Substance, we’re all about action, not just talk. If your profile aligns with what we need, you’ll hear from us within 1-2 weeks. If not, no fluff—just know we value your interest and will keep you in mind for future roles where your skills can make an impact. We focus on real connections and meaningful matches, so when the right opportunity comes, we’ll be ready to make it happen.
Getsubstance.co Pte. Ltd. | EA License No: 24C2398