Legal Counsel

BAT is evolving at pace - truly like no other organisation.

To achieve the ambition, we have set for ourselves, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to live our ethos every day. Come be a part of this journey!

SENIORITY LEVEL: Management

FUNCTION: GBS Legal and External Affairs

SALARY RANGE: Market salary + Excellent benefits + Market leading bonus

LOCATION: Sunway Geo, Kuala Lumpur

ROLE POSITIONING AND OBJECTIVES

The Legal Counsel is responsible for supporting Legal teams of BAT operating entities across end markets (i.e., countries) (“EM”) on compliance and legal related work to help safeguard those companies’ legitimate business rights to pursue strategic objectives. This position is also responsible for delivering and ensuring the DBS Client Services (“DBSCS”) Legal team delivers high quality legal support to the EMs through the application of excellent counseling, drafting and negotiation skills.

Reports to: DBS Senior Legal Counsel

Reporting Level: N/A

WHAT YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR

• The Legal Counsel is a member of the Digital Business Solutions (DBS) Legal team in Malaysia, reporting to a Senior Counsel.
• He/she will be working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and will be expected to engage confidently and effectively with EM Legal teams and other stakeholders.
• The Legal Counsel shall provide contract management services to the EMs.
• Supervise, provide guidance and support to team members within DBSCS.
• Preparation and negotiation of contracts for products and services pursuant to EM policies including the Contract Management and Procurement policies.
• Use and champion BAT’s Contract Management system when drafting and finalizing contracts.
• The Legal Counsel will support End Markets to ensure proper corporate governance by providing dedicated compliance-related services as advised from time to time.
• Support the EM compliance teams to manage corporate policies, and related conduct related administrative tasks.
• Complete other compliance-related tasks including but not limited to risk -conducting risk assessments, gathering, and cascading information to relevant stakeholders and completing select tasks on BAT’s compliance related systems.
• Proactively driving corporate strategies in DBSCS areas as a senior member of the DBS Legal team.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Malaysian qualified lawyer (called to the Malaysian Bar) or equivalent with a minimum of 10 years’ post qualification experience, gained at an international or reputable local law firm, and with in-house counsel experience for a major multi-national company. Additional legal qualifications or experience dealing with different jurisdictions would be an advantage.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of other written and spoken languages (eg: Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesia, Bengali) is added advantage.
• Excellent legal drafting skills with significant experience and expertise in commercial, corporate and technology laws and practice and other legal matters.
• Good knowledge of product liability, competition and intellectual property law would be an advantage.
• Ability to apply knowledge of legal drafting to adapt contract templates where necessary and mitigate key risks.
• Ability to communicate legal concepts to business colleagues in clear, simple terms.
• Experience in governance, risk and compliance is an added advantage.
• Strong negotiation and project management skills, and ability to plan, anticipate and manage priorities to optimise output and enhance the effectiveness of commercial solutions.
• Hands-on, adaptable and flexible attitude, sound commercial judgment and ability to work under pressure and to cope with unexpected and varied demands.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a high degree of emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trusted relationships with peers and senior stakeholders.
• Keeps up to date with changes in law and corporate governance best practices globally to ensure that the EMs’ transactional structures, documentation, policies and contract management processes remain current and commercially appropriate.
• Knowledge and experience of privacy and data protection laws an advantage.

WE ARE BAT

At BAT we are committed to our Purpose of creating A Better Tomorrow. This is what drives our people and our passion for innovation. See what is possible for you at BAT.

• Global Top Employer with 53,000 BAT people across more than 180 markets
• Brands sold in over 200 markets, made in 44 factories in 42 countries
• Newly established Tech Hubs building world-class capabilities for innovation in 4 strategic locations
• Diversity leader in the Financial Times and International Women’s Day Best Practice winner
• Seal Award winner – one of 50 most sustainable companies

BELONGING, ACHIEVING, TOGETHER

Collaboration, diversity and teamwork underpin everything we do here at BAT. We know that collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals. Come bring your difference!