Serves as a subject matter expert and provides advice on Asia Pacific employment law and employee relations matters, appropriately escalating matters to the Senior Employment Counsel and/or other senior management.
Advises on complex hires, internal transfers, office expansions, restrictive covenant enforcement, terminations, pay equity and diversity, equity and inclusion issues.
Manages employee relations issues and internal investigations (i.e., discrimination/harassment/retaliation).
Maintains templates used by Human Capital (i.e., offer letters, separation agreements, promotion letters, etc.)
Counsels Human Capital on performance management (i.e., performance improvement plans) and disciplinary issues.
Identifies need for workplace-related trainings and partners with Human Capital on training design.
Maintains knowledge of Asia Pacific regulations, laws, industry trends and practices that may affect firm; assesses and evaluates risk and advises accordingly to ensure compliance
Updates, maintains, and drafts Asia Pacific Employee Handbooks and other employee policies and works collaboratively with key stakeholders on strategic initiatives, including Return to Office and COVID-19 policies.
Advises on employment law aspects of mergers and acquisitions
Leverages/manages external counsel, where appropriate
Qualifications and Experience:
Law degree and qualified solicitor
Indicative guide of 8-12years of relevant experience at a top-tier law firm or in-house at a global financial services firm (although equivalent experience will be considered)
Extensive understanding and experience of employment law across the Asia Pacific region
Thrives in a fast-paced, rigorous work environment; effectively prioritizes and meets deadlines
Thinks critically and proposes business-oriented solutions that combine excellent judgement, creativity, risk-taking and technical expertise
Fluency and familiarity with complex compensation arrangements, including incentive compensation.
Influences and impacts decision-making through strong business acumen and negotiation skills
Superior collaboration and interpersonal skills; builds and maintains strong relationships/credibility with relevant internal stakeholders
Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral; ability to distill complex concepts into discernable terms
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, in partnership with Employment Law team and Human Capital
Adept at managing external counsel to ensure that they produce high quality work product and meet deadlines
Highly motivated and proactive; proven work ethic
Possesses professional integrity and the discretion, tact and ability to maintain confidentiality