General Counsel Japan Greater Tokyo, Japan Area

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If you’re looking to unlock new job opportunities, take a look at the possibilities right on your doorstep here at HSBC.

Global Legal plays an important role in protecting the Group’s reputation by helping to future-proof the organisation through robust legal risk and issue advisory. Responsible for providing comprehensive legal advice to senior management and all global businesses and functions, the team offers a diverse range of legal skills, jurisdictional experience, and practice specialisms across all countries and territories in which our businesses operate.

Ready to shape legal risk decisions across HSBC’s business in Japan?

We are currently seeking a high calibre professional to join our team as General Counsel Japan.

Why HSBC

HSBC is one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world. Guided by our purpose of opening up a world of opportunity, our ambition is to become the world’s most trusted bank globally, putting customers at the heart of everything we do.

The Role

This role sets the direction for HSBC’s Legal function in Japan and ensures legal and regulatory risk is managed in a commercially practical way. You’ll advise Japan senior management on strategic and operational initiatives while aligning local priorities with the objectives of the Regional Legal function.

The role covers complex transactions projects and initiatives that can carry significant legal financial or reputational impact. You’ll participate in key country governance committees and keep leadership informed of material legal and regulatory developments. Success means providing consistently high quality advice strengthening controls and building a legal team that delivers for the business and the region.

What you'll be doing

Implement strategic legal policies and establish local policies that manage legal and regulatory risk in a commercially sensitive way

Advise Japan senior management on business and operational strategies and initiatives

Support the Regional Legal function on material legal and regulatory issues involving the Group

Manage legal work on complex transactions projects and initiatives with significant legal financial or reputational impact

Participate in key country governance committees including Audit Committee Executive Management Meeting and Risk Management Meeting

Maintain oversight of external counsel through the local Panel of approved law firms and manage key relationships

Set clear performance expectations and oversee delivery across the Japan Legal department including junior lawyers and support staff

Monitor risk management controls resourcing costs and spend and take ownership of operational and cost efficiencies for Japan Legal

What we're looking for

10 -15 years or substantial post-qualification legal experience gained in a law firm and or in-house within financial institutions

Broad banking and financial services legal background, with experience in litigation and general commercial matters highly valued

Apply broad banking and financial services legal capability including experience across litigation and general commercial matters

Manage a legal team and run performance measurement learning career management and succession planning

Provide legal and regulatory advice that is practical commercially focused and aligned to business outcomes

Influence senior stakeholders across Japan and the Regional Legal function on material legal and regulatory topics

Oversee external counsel effectively including panel management and relationship stewardship

Evaluate legal and regulatory developments and communicate implications clearly to local management and the Regional General Counsel

Fluent commercial English is essential, while Japanese language proficiency would be highly advantageous for effective communication with clients, colleagues and business partners

Legal stewardship for Japan

This is an opportunity to shape how HSBC manages legal and regulatory risk in Japan while supporting the delivery of country and regional priorities. You’ll work closely with senior management and governance committees bringing clear advice to complex decisions and high-impact initiatives.

You’ll also set direction for the Japan Legal team and strengthen how the function measures performance manages talent and maintains effective controls. If you’re ready to take on a role with real breadth and visibility we’d welcome your application.