Head of Legal

Our client, a well-funded data centre operator expanding quickly across multiple countries, is looking for a head of legal to be based in Singapore.

Location

Singapore (Relocation Support Available for the Right Candidate)

Reports To

Chief Executive Officer

Department

Legal, Compliance & Corporate Governance

ROLE SUMMARY

This is a senior executive leadership position reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and forming part of the C-suite leadership team.

The Head of Legal will be responsible for overseeing the organisation's legal, compliance, corporate governance, ESG and corporate secretarial functions across multiple jurisdictions.

Acting as a trusted advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors and senior leadership team, the successful candidate will provide commercially driven legal guidance to support investments, financing transactions, infrastructure development projects, business operations and strategic growth initiatives.

The role requires a highly commercial and pragmatic legal leader who is comfortable operating within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and high-growth environment.

The successful candidate will also lead an established regional legal team while managing external counsel and supporting key stakeholders across the business.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Strategy & Business Advisory

• Develop and implement the company's legal strategy in alignment with corporate objectives and regional growth plans.
• Provide strategic and commercially focused legal advice to the CEO, Board and executive leadership team.
• Partner with business leaders to balance commercial objectives with effective legal protection and risk management.
• Identify, assess and mitigate legal risks arising from business operations, investments, commercial arrangements and strategic initiatives.
• Translate complex legal issues into practical recommendations that support effective decision-making.

Commercial Contracts & Strategic Transactions

• Lead the drafting, review, negotiation and execution of major commercial agreements.
• Advise on customer contracts, procurement agreements, supplier contracts, construction agreements, leasing arrangements, strategic partnerships and joint ventures.
• Lead legal support for mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, financing transactions and corporate restructuring activities.
• Establish appropriate contractual frameworks regarding risk allocation, indemnities, warranties, liability provisions and dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Support the business on large-scale infrastructure development projects from both legal and commercial perspectives.

Corporate Governance & Board Support

• Advise the Board and management on corporate governance practices, directors' duties and shareholder matters.
• Oversee the preparation and review of Board and Board committee materials, resolutions and corporate records.
• Manage governance frameworks, delegations of authority and approval processes.
• Oversee corporate secretarial matters, statutory filings and subsidiary governance activities.
• Support Board-level decision-making through clear analysis of governance implications and legal risks.

Compliance, ESG & Regulatory Affairs

• Provide oversight of regulatory compliance programmes across multiple jurisdictions.
• Support ESG initiatives and advise management on legal and regulatory developments impacting the business.
• Ensure appropriate compliance frameworks, policies and controls are maintained across the organisation.
• Advise management on emerging regulatory risks and compliance obligations.

Dispute Resolution & Risk Management

• Oversee litigation, arbitration, mediation, investigations and regulatory proceedings.
• Assess legal exposure and advise management on dispute strategy and resolution options.
• Manage external counsel and legal service providers across multiple jurisdictions.
• Report material disputes and regulatory matters to the CEO, Board and relevant governance committees.

Legal Leadership & Operations

• Lead, mentor and develop a regional legal team.
• Establish legal operating procedures, contract management protocols and reporting frameworks.
• Continually improve legal service delivery across the business.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external advisers throughout the region.
• Ensure legal resources are effectively aligned with business priorities.

LEADERSHIP ENVIRONMENT

This role operates within a fast-paced and growth-oriented business environment.

The successful candidate should be comfortable:

• Working closely with executive leadership on strategic business initiatives.
• Supporting decisions across multiple jurisdictions.
• Operating within a dynamic and evolving organisation.
• Managing competing priorities and tight timelines.
• Undertaking regular travel across the Asia-Pacific region as business requirements dictate.

Success in this role will depend not only on strong legal expertise but also on adaptability, commercial judgement, stakeholder management capability and the ability to thrive in a high-growth environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification.
• Admitted to practice law in a recognised jurisdiction.
• Current practising certificate or equivalent professional standing preferred.

EXPERIENCE & REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 15+ years of post-qualification legal experience gained through a combination of private practice and in-house legal environments.
• Significant experience advising executive leadership teams, Boards of Directors and senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success leading an in-house legal function within a multinational organisation.
• Strong project financing and financing transaction experience gained within infrastructure, digital infrastructure, real estate, telecommunications, energy or similarly capital-intensive industries.
• Experience supporting investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic partnerships and corporate transactions.
• Strong commercial contracting expertise across complex and high-value agreements.
• Experience supporting land acquisition, development or major capital projects would be advantageous.
• Broad legal expertise across corporate governance, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, procurement, technology-related matters and cross-border operations.
• Experience managing legal and regulatory matters across multiple Asia-Pacific jurisdictions.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Commercially minded with a pragmatic approach to legal risk and business decision-making.
• Proven ability to operate independently while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professional judgement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work effectively across diverse cultures and international teams.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

The successful candidate is likely to bring:

• Significant experience as a senior in-house legal leader.
• Exposure to digital infrastructure, data centres, telecommunications, technology, real estate, engineering, infrastructure or related sectors.
• Strong experience partnering directly with CEOs, Boards and senior executives.
• A hands-on, commercial approach rather than a purely advisory mindset.
• The ability to operate effectively within an entrepreneurial and rapidly evolving business environment.
• Experience balancing strategic leadership responsibilities with day-to-day operational support.

Candidates whose experience has been gained exclusively within private practice may find the operational and commercial demands of this role less aligned with their background.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Strategic and commercially astute.
• Pragmatic and solutions-oriented.
• Entrepreneurial mindset.
• Strong leadership capability.
• Excellent relationship-building skills.
• High level of integrity and accountability.
• Comfortable operating within a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Able to influence at executive and Board level.

If you were not contacted, please assume you were not shortlisted.