Lead Counsel, APAC

Job Title: Lead Counsel - APAC                    

Reports To: Global Counsel 

about upl:

UPL is focused on emerging as a premier global provider of total crop solutions designed to secure the world’s long-term food supply. Winning farmers hearts across the globe, while leading the way with innovative products and services that make agriculture sustainable, UPL is the fastest growing company in the industry. Our successes in the field add up to powerful financials. UPL delivers results from protecting crops that translate into attractive investor value. Based on the recognition that humankind is one community, UPL’s overarching commitment is to improve areas of its presence, workplace and customer engagement.

Our purpose is ‘OpenAg’. An agriculture network that feeds sustainable growth for all. No limits, no borders.

We are one team, for maximum impact. One team with shared goals. We have a laser-like focus on what our customers need and want, on anticipating their future needs and how we can create innovative solutions and experiences for them. We think outside the box and go beyond our comfort zone. We believe in agility, we mix the power of speed, with structure from process. And wherever we can, we always believe in having fun.

Job Summary:

UPL is seeking a highly experienced and dynamic counsel to support our Asia Pacific operations. In this critical role, you will serve as a legal business partner to the Asia Pacific team. You will advise the region on strategic, commercial and compliance requirements of the region. You will be responsible for providing comprehensive legal counsel and support to UPL's operations across the Asia Pacific region, which encompasses multiple countries.

JOb Responsibilities:

• Negotiating, reviewing, and drafting of supply agreements, distribution agreements, development agreements, NDAs and other commercial agreements required in the ordinary course of business.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and business units to ensure compliance with corporate policies including compliance training in areas relating to anti-trust, sanctions, anti-bribery, conflict of interest etc.
• Providing strategy and managing litigation and external legal counsel.
• Overseeing the contract life cycle management tool and responsible for its implementation in the Asia Pacific region for smooth review and delivery of the day-to-day commercial contracts; support in legal process improvements in Asia Pacific region.
• Stay up to date on legal developments in the Asia Pacific region, advising on potential impacts and providing proactive solutions.
• Assist in the corporate governance and compliance matters across the region; stay up to date on legal developments in the Asia Pacific region and provide proactive solutions for any business risks.
• Build and maintain relationships with external legal counsel and regulatory authorities as needed.
• Work with the Global M&A Team on M&A and other strategic activities in the Asia Pacific region.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in law from a recognized law school / university in China and must have professional qualification from the All-China Lawyers Association.
• 8-10 years of experience, with 4-5 years of practice in a reputable law firm with a strong emphasis on commercial and corporate law and 4-5 years’ experience as in-house legal counsel. Strong preference for candidates with crop protection or pharma industry experience.
• Experience in the Asia Pacific region / countries would be added advantage.
• Proficient in spoken and written English and Mandarin Chinese.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Admitted to practice law in China.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, global, and multicultural work environment.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Adaptability & Resilience: Recognizes and is open to changing circumstances and alters behavior and scales up as necessary; increases personal awareness and appreciation of individual and cultural differences to create an open, inclusive, and accepting workplace.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Has a creative mindset and ability to think holistically, takes calculated risks and maximizes opportunities.
• Results Orientations: Takes action, pursues goals with persistence and achieves results; communicates goals and vision to the team to drive enthusiasm and ambition.
• Execution Excellence: Enhances the speed of execution and builds efficiency in processes, systems and people; has sharp focus on quality-orientation.
• Strategic Orientation: Demonstrates knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental factors and how they impact the business. Identifies key issues that could impact the business and develops strategy through an analytical lens / design thinking.
• Building Teams and Talent: Empowers colleagues through knowledge sharing and delegation, quickly establishing rapport; provides recognition for achievements and accomplishments.
• Customer Centricity: Understands the customer needs and pain points, fulfills the needs and expectations by focusing on creating value for customers.