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!

JOB TITLE: Legal Counsel (junior level)

FUNCTION: Legal

CITY & COUNTRY: Seoul, South Korea (within APMEA North (Asia Pacific Middle East Area))

What are the key objectives, direct impact on the organisation, and expectations from this role? 

The role shall provide best in class legal and risk advisory counselling to the Korean BAT legal entities providing proactive key support to the Legal Counsel – Corporate & Compliancein the delivery and implementation of key aspects of legal risk advisory strategic agenda. 

More specifically, this Legal Counsel (junior level) role is primarily responsible for advising and supporting all areas of Corporate and Compliance for Korea, with a particular focus on corporate governance, Standard of Business Conduct (BAT’s Code of Conduct) compliance through advising on the full suite of compliance risks, as part of BAT’s Delivery with Integrity Programme.

Business Partnering with Key Functional Stakeholders

Acting as a junior Legal Counsel with a focus on managing BAT’s commercial activities and corporate governance and compliance risks, by establishing, driving, and demonstrating effective business partnering with all areas of the business.

Corporate Governance responsibilities include:

• Review, monitor and advise on all key corporate governance processes (including contracts) for the 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.

Compliance responsibilities include:

• Support drafting contracts, 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 (compliance) programme.
• Foster collaborative ways of working and align with all End Markets across the DRBU to promote consistency.
• Identifying and mitigating compliance risks in proposed commercial arrangements (including risks relating to competition, intellectual property, data protection, tax, and compliance risks).
• Advising, and presenting on corporate governance and compliance risks for consideration and approval by the appropriate leadership team or committee.
• Support the provision of regular guidance and training on key areas of risk such as competition laws, and SoBC compliance.

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.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• Qualified lawyer in one or more jurisdictions.
• Exceptional fluency in English.
• Highly organised and proven track record of leading and managing high volume workstreams.
• 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.
• 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.
• Proven ability to delivery excellent organisational skills and timely cycling planning.
• 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.
• Excellent legal drafting skills (in English and Korean) with an ability to identify and advise on compliance risk.
• Ability to express legal issues in a straightforward and compelling way to internal and external stakeholders.

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.