Legal Counsel

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World.
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

Business Partnering with Key Functional Stakeholders

Acting as a junior but experienced Legal Counsel with a focus on managing BAT’s corporate governance and compliance risks, by establishing, driving, and demonstrating effective business partnering with all areas of the business to support corporate governance, and compliance. Ability to independently lead and manage complex issues with reasonably minimal supervision.

Corporate Governance responsibilities include:

• Review, monitor and oversee on all key corporate governance processes for the three BAT legal entities in Korea and ensure complete and effective documentation/records management of the same.  Drive solutions and workstreams to strengthen business governance processes including corporate secretarial.
• Support the risk management processes as well as the bi-annual risk review, partnering with the Finance team.
• Support the triage of commercial contracts for onward management by GBS or internal management (Japanese language). 

Compliance responsibilities include:

• Lead and support change for the Delivery with Integrity (compliance) programme and risk advisory services across Korea and supporting the Area.
• Support drafting policies, processes and procedures and leading change management through cascading new ways of working through risk-based training.  Providing support on effectiveness testing and continuous improvement through regular review.
• Support the creation and provision of training and awareness of all aspects of Delivery with Integrity programme.
• Foster collaborative ways of working and align with all End Markets across the DRBU to promote consistency.
• Ensure participation in the internal Networks (Delivery with Integrity Network) and feedback key messaging to the rest of the Legal Team/business.
• Support arrangements and strategic contracts which involve compliance deviation requests and provide practical and commercially focussed input to support business initiatives whilst preserving the Group approach to risk.
• Working with the security, support and oversee delivery of legal risk advice in the management of security risks. Support in the monitoring, advice on, and strengthening of the Business Continuity Plan suite of processes.
• Identifying and mitigating compliance risks in proposed commercial arrangements (including risks relating to competition, intellectual property, data protection, tax, and compliance risks).
• Work with the Global Corporate Compliance Team in GBS to support the onward tracking and management of CRA (Third Party Risk Management systems) Compliance risks.
• Advising, and presenting on corporate governance and compliance risks for consideration and approval by the appropriate leadership team or committee.
• With a strong approach to continuous improvement, support the monitoring and assessment of all aspects of the compliance programme and provide legal advice and guidance on measures of improvement where required.
• Support the provision of regular guidance and training on key areas of risk such as competition laws, and SoBC compliance.
• Drive a positive compliance culture of integrity and ethical behaviours across the Group.  Promoting corporate compliance ‘DNA’ into the ways of working within the business.

Demonstrate Proactive Business Partnering & Trusted Advisor

• Drive proactive solutions which offer strengthened 3rd party risk management through simpler ways of working.
• Establish the role as a trusted member of the business.
• Offer commercial practical solutions to the busines
• Understand business key demands and perspectives, implementing good stakeholder engagement and management practice to meet their needs. 

Culture, Diversity & Inclusion

• Approachability, and effective strong business partnering is critical.  Drive behaviours modelling a commercial business person assessing queries with legal lens (i.e., ‘business person first, lawyer second’).
• Promote a healthy, engaged, diverse and inclusive working environment within the wider DRBU. Role model our BAT Values (Truly inclusive, Stronger together, Do the right thing, Love our consumer, Passion to win and Empowered through trust)
• Partner with, and act as trusted advisor, to the Talent, Culture, & Inclusion Team (HR) on all matters.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• Exceptional fluency in English. Highly organised and proven track record of leading and managing high volume workstreams.
• Proven track record of supporting and advising on complex compliance issues including transactions and other operations contractual arrangements without use of ‘legalese’.
• Proven ability to enable potential governance and compliance issues to be identified at an early stage of a transaction or initiative and recommend effective strengthening workstreams.
• Qualified lawyer in one or more jurisdictions; previous compliance and corporate governance experience essential together with experience in at least one international company (ideally US or UK).
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively at all levels within the organisation with a particular focus on change management, continuous improvement, training & awareness and effectiveness testing.
• Reasonably minimal management supervision required; leadership excellence and proactive engagement at all levels; proven ability to delivery excellent organisational skills and timely cycling planning.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a high degree of emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trusted and effective relationships with peers and end markets. Ensuring good information flows between business contacts, Legal, and other business partners about business initiatives to optimise commercial opportunities and manage risks.
• Excellent leadership skills; an ability to motivate and lead/influence others (including persuasive presentation skills) able to translate concepts into easily understandable format and to communicate these clearly, both orally and in writing, with all levels of management.
• Strong interpersonal skills; willing to embrace personal development; proven track records of excellent team collaboration skills.  
• Excellent legal drafting skills (in English and Korean) with an ability to identify and advise on compliance risk.
• Strong project management skills, and ability to plan, anticipate and manage priorities to optimise output.
• Hands-on and flexible attitude, sound commercial judgement, and ability to work under pressure and to cope with unexpected and varied demands.
• Experience of dealing with legal issues relating to Standards of Business Conduct, data privacy, competition, intellectual property, sanctions, bribery & corruption to enable potential issues to be identified at an early stage of a transaction or initiative.
• A blend of legal expertise, emotional intelligence, and creative problem-solving. They should excel in collaboration, adaptability, and continuous learning, making them effective in building relationships and value adding,
• Ability to express legal issues in a straightforward and compelling way to internal and external business ends.

WHAT’S BENEFICIAL BUT NOT ESSENTIAL?

• Experience working in the US, Australia, UK, or Europe.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU?
•    We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
•    Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
•    Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
•    You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
•    We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes

WHY JOIN BAT?
We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals.

We see the career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an own venture).

Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.