Head of Legal Asia Pacific

Overview You will play a key role in our APAC leadership team within the Evonik Group, one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies. We are seeking a Head of Legal MEA & AP (15+ PQE) to lead the legal department across the Asia-Pacific region (including Japan and Korea), Greater China, and MEA. In this role, you will manage a skilled team of legal professionals based in Singapore, Shanghai, and Dubai, and be responsible for legal counsel in this growing region. Functionally, you will report directly to the Head of Group Legal in Germany. If you are an experienced, strategic thinker with deep knowledge of the legal landscape in these regions and a proven track record in managing complex legal matters and leading multinational teams, we would be delighted to hear from you. Responsibilities Provide legal counsel to the Regional President, CEOs of joint ventures and subsidiaries, business units, and functional leaders across Asia-Pacific (including Japan and Korea), Greater China, and MEA, with a focus on contract and commercial law. Organize and oversee legal risk management in the regions to minimize potential liabilities. Independently draft, review, and negotiate contracts, and continuously develop contract management practices. Advise on all legal matters, including corporate governance, compliance, and risk management. Develop and implement legal strategies and processes to support business objectives and transformation plans. Serve as a key advisor to the Group General Counsel and Head of Group Legal for the regions, contributing to the development and execution of the global legal strategy. Act as a trusted partner to the Group Compliance Team, ensuring adherence to laws related to antitrust, anti-money laundering, human rights obligations, and global compliance frameworks. Monitor legal and regulatory changes in the regions and proactively support the development of forward-looking strategies. Collaborate with the Head of Litigation in Germany to manage legal disputes and investigations in the regions, coordinate external counsel, and oversee legal costs. Lead and support a team of experienced Senior Legal Counsels and Corporate Secretaries in SEAANZ, China, and MEA, ensuring smooth and legally sound administration. Foster effective collaboration within the regional legal team and ensure a stable, high-performing team environment. Ensure a consistent approach to legal advice across the regions and act as a trusted and proactive regional partner to the global legal team. Demonstrate capability and motivation to lead transformation projects involving AI and Legal Tech solutions to advance future-oriented global legal services. Requirements Education: Bachelor’s degree in law and master’s in law degree with a specialization in cross border and finance law or International Business law from a reputable university (Common Law jurisdiction). Qualifications: Valid legal license in a Common Law country. Practical knowledge of the Chinese legal system is essential; familiarity with Japanese and Korean legal systems is highly desirable. Languages: Excellent proficiency in English and Mandarin (spoken and written). Experience: Minimum of 15 years of professional experience, including at least 10 years in a senior legal role within an industrial company. At least 5 years of team management experience with a proven leadership track record. Application To ensure that your application is proceeded as quickly as possible and to protect the environment, please apply online via our careers portal. Further information about Evonik as Employer can be found at Please address your application to the Talent Acquisition Manager, stating your earliest possible starting date and your salary expectations. Your Talent Acquisition Manager: Catherine Lee. Company is Evonik (SEA) Pte. Ltd. #J-18808-Ljbffr