Senior Manager, Legal Counsel (Based in Shanghai, China)

Job Description

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, you will primarily be representing the Legal & Compliance Department of DFS (“LCD”) in supporting DFS’ business within the PRC.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

-    advising senior stakeholders of DFS’ PRC business division on legal and compliance matters in the PRC;
-    representing LCD in delivering and enforcing internal DFS policies in the PRC;
-    leading a team of 2-3 lawyers based in the PRC to:

• conduct reviews on legal documents;
• draft contracts;
• prepare documentation for the maintenance and/or formation (if any) of corporate entities; 
• draft corporate resolutions and related documents;
• prepare for board and shareholder meetings;
• respond to request from internal auditors and/or external auditors; and handling legal billing and managing legal budget
• manage outside counsel and corporate secretarial firms

Key Requirements

-    Be able to travel across the PRC per business requirements.
-    Spend time in Hong Kong with LCD.
-    Grasp key drivers of the business and industry and quickly become immersed in the business and legal issues facing the company.
-    Seek to understand the company’s business, policies, people, goals and risks.
-    Speak fluently in lay terms in both English and Chinese to a range of audiences about the business and legal priorities.
-    Demonstrate knowledge of PRC corporate and commercial law, including company secretarial matters.
-    Take a pro-active and detail-oriented approach.
-    Have strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize effectively and handle multiple deadlines.
-    Demonstrate a strong work ethic and a high energy level with an ability to handle a fast-paced, vigorous schedule.
-    Marshall the appropriate level and mix of legal resources (internal and external) as required by circumstances.
-    Continually raise the quality of both content and delivery of legal and compliance services to protect and promote the business.
-    Demonstrate a positive, professional, and collaborative demeanor and strong business acumen to gain the confidence, trust and reliance of colleagues.
-    Maintain established relationships with external legal resources characterized by credibility, respect, and trust.
-    Demonstrate excellent written, verbal and listening skills in Chinese and English.  French language skills are also desirable.

Your qualifications
-    Educational Requirements : Law Degree and relevant practicing certificate
-    Work Experience Minimum : 6 years PQE with experience in major national or international law firms in the PRC or in a corporate legal team of an MNC in the PRC reporting to senior executives
-    Critical knowledge & Skills, including software applications, languages etc : High Computer proficiency: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and calendar software; database experience
-    Excellent verbal, and written communication skills; able to compose and edit correspondence in a professional manner