Counsel, Greater China

JOB OVERVIEW

The role will provide legal, compliance and strategic commercial advice and support to APAC region. This individual will lead the APAC legal and compliance function and support Wyndham Hotels & Resorts APAC in accomplishing its strategic goals whilst minimizing financial and legal liability for the company.

This role will provide all members of the WHR team with sound operational advice based on legal opinion. He or she will work closely with the functional leaders to represent the organization with clients, owners and partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Legal Advisory & Business Support

• To provide legal counsel to all functions within the business to facilitate the execution of the strategic plan within compliant processes and with minimum exposure.
• Active member of the APAC senior leadership team and advise on Director's liabilities and participate in APAC leadership decision making.
• This role will use its strong legal and commercial instincts and be able to apply these to assist the organization with business solutions.

2. Compliance & Risk Management

• Act as the key leader role in all compliance related issues for the region and ensure the overall business compliance and legal requirements are met for all markets.
• Lead compliance and data protection efforts to minimize risk, ensuring alignment with privacy laws like China's PIPL and the company's broader framework.
• Be fully cognizant of, and update the APAC leadership team on, proposed and impending government legislation changes applicable to the business in APAC.

3. Contracting & Transactions

• Negotiation, drafting, interpretation and enforcement of all types of agreements for the region, including hotel management and franchise agreements, joint venture agreements, supplier agreements, strategic development agreements, technical services agreements, subordination and non-disturbance agreements, and related financing and other documentations.
• Lead due diligence processes and negotiations on APAC acquisitions and other transactions.
• To work with brand representatives on legal issues involving marketing programs, standards, strategies and the related commercial agreements.

4. Litigation & External Counsel Management

• Manage, in consultation with Wyndham's global legal team, all litigation relating to APAC operations and engage and supervise retention of external legal advisers on all relevant matters in various jurisdictions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key APAC regulatory bodies.
• Identify and implement appropriate corporate structures in countries of operations in APAC.

5. Leadership & Team Development

• Lead & develop the APAC legal team to best support the business needs.
• Take initiative to constantly look for ways to improve overall organization efficiency from legal & process perspective.
• To maintain, communicate and advise on legal departmental and company policies and procedures with up-to-date alignment with mandatory requirements in different markets.
• Act as Company Secretary for the APAC subsidiaries.
• Carry out duties/projects as assigned by line manager from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Relevant legal qualification such as a Bachelor of Laws or Jurisprudence.
• Admission as a Solicitor in Singapore, Hong Kong or another APAC or common law jurisdiction a major plus.
• Experience in hospitality and/or franchising a major plus.
• Broad transactional and litigation experience with at least 15 years in both law firm and in-house roles, preferably within a multinational or US publicly listed company.
• Experience in leading and developing cross-regional teams a plus.
• Experience with/comfort in providing advice and direction to senior leaders, developing and implementing legal and compliance strategies that further growth and mitigate risk, analyzing complex issues and developing solutions to support business needs and working under pressure.
• Excellent English writing, negotiation and communication skills; second language skills (such as Mandarin or Korean) a major plus.