Head of Legal / Legal Specialist
Head of Legal Candidate - Leading Technology Company [Japan]
Our client is a rapidly growing technology company undergoing significant domestic and international expansion. As the business continues to scale through strategic growth initiatives, overseas expansion, fundraising activities, and M&A transactions, they are seeking a Head of Legal Candidate to be based in Tokyo.
This is a rare opportunity to lead and further develop the legal function within a high-growth organisation. Working closely with executive leadership, you will play a strategic role in supporting corporate governance, compliance, commercial legal matters, international business expansion, M&A activities, and broader corporate initiatives. The successful candidate will be instrumental in building a scalable legal framework that enables sustainable business growth while effectively managing legal and regulatory risk.
Responsibilities for this Head of Legal Candidate Role [Japan]
- Lead and oversee the legal function across commercial contracts, compliance, corporate governance, and strategic business initiatives.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of domestic and international agreements, including SaaS agreements, service contracts, NDAs, partnership agreements, investment-related documentation, and other commercial contracts.
- Provide legal support for M&A transactions, including due diligence, transaction structuring, contract negotiation, and post-transaction integration activities.
- Advise on fundraising initiatives, investment agreements, shareholder agreements, and other corporate finance-related legal matters.
- Develop, implement, and enhance compliance frameworks, internal policies, and governance processes across the organisation.
- Partner closely with business leaders to provide practical and commercially focused legal advice that supports growth objectives while mitigating legal risk.
- Manage relationships with external counsel and other legal advisers across multiple jurisdictions.
- Support board and shareholder meeting governance, disclosure requirements, and IPO readiness initiatives.
- Drive legal operations improvements, including contract lifecycle management, process standardisation, and LegalTech implementation.
- Advise on overseas business operations, cross-border transactions, and global regulatory matters.
- Partner with senior management on strategic projects, including M&A, strategic alliances, corporate governance enhancements, and risk management initiatives.
- Build, develop, and lead the legal organisation as the company continues its global expansion.
Requirements for this Head of Legal Candidate Role [Japan]
Essential Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of commercial legal experience, either in-house and/or at a law firm.
- Qualified lawyer in Japan or another recognized jurisdiction.
- Strong experience in corporate transactions, including M&A, fundraising, or other strategic corporate projects.
- Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating both Japanese and international commercial agreements.
- Experience building, launching, or significantly developing a legal function or legal organisation.
- Team management and people leadership experience.
- Bachelor's degree or above.
- Business-level English communication skills.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to partner closely with executive leadership teams.
- Commercial mindset with the ability to support business objectives while effectively managing legal and regulatory risk.
- Only Japanese nationals are qualified to apply for the position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with cross-border M&A transactions.
- Experience supporting IPO preparation or public company governance requirements.
- International legal experience, including overseas subsidiary support and global compliance matters.
- Experience within high-growth technology, SaaS, internet, AI, or venture-backed companies.
- Experience designing and implementing governance and compliance frameworks.
- Familiarity with LegalTech solutions and legal process transformation initiative.
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your CV and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organisations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.Â
That's why we recommend registering your CV so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.Â
Yes, we help with CV and interview preparation. From customised support on how to optimise your CV to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.