Legal Director, Japan

The Legal Director's primary role will be to provide legal advice and direction to all business divisions in Japan, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics and nutrition. He/She will report to the Area Counsel, Asia Pacific, International Legal Operations.

The Legal Director will provide strategic legal support to business divisions, assess legal risks and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Duties will include analysis and provision of legal advice focused on business-oriented solutions on a wide range of matters, including general commercial, privacy, competition and consumer law, disputes/litigation, government interaction and employment work. The person in this role will assist in developing legal services support processes and systems for the businesses and in educating business teams on legal-related issues.

The Legal Director is the most senior-level attorney for Japan. The Legal Director’s job responsibilities include the following: • Identifies highly complex legal issues related to assigned matters; develops alternative solutions, and implements resolution

• →Supports the business in the achievement of business objectives by rendering sound legal advice, appropriately balancing business growth and legal risk
• →Distills complex legal issues efficiently and effectively for a business audience, often in novel or ambiguous situations
• →Advocates for a position while maintaining collaborative and open-minded approach
• →Leads cross-functional projects
• →Possesses in-depth knowledge of Abbott’s businesses supported and knowledge of the broader business impact
• →Keeps abreast of changes in laws, policies and enforcement trend
• →Regularly negotiates independently with customers, suppliers or government agencies on matters of strategic importance that affect a substantial portion of Abbott’s business or areas of significant importance to senior management
• →Selects and directs the work of outside counsel, defines project objectives and manages project and budget
• →Identifies unmet needs and future legal issues and proactively proposes strategies to optimize outcomes and results for the company
• →Helps design, implement and iterate Legal department processes to keep up with growth

• →Responsible for all legal services within the country
• →Helps Area Counsel to develop Legal department strategy based on country input
• →Lead, participate and support Legal Departments goals and other initiatives
• →Mentors, coaches and directs assigned attorneys and support staff; serves as a role model and as a champion of the Legal department through work ethic, attitude, interpersonal skills and successful results
• →Plays a key role in selecting, recruiting and developing attorneys and support staff
• →Provides input into attorney performance evaluations, merit increases and developmental planning and assignments

• Advises Division Vice Presidents and General Managers/Business Leaders and is recognized by these clients as both an expert in substantive law and business advice
• Advises Area Counsel on critical projects and matters within the region
• Executes core job responsibilities in an organized and timely manner
• Area of responsibility has significant and possibly material impact on Abbott
• Manages Legal department’s internal and external country budgets
• Serves as a recognized resource for both management and other attorneys on innovative ideas in highly complex areas of the law
• Accountability, communication, collaboration and matrix working competencies are key to success  

• Law degree, preferably qualified in Japan
• Fully bilingual: Japanese and English
• 15+ years of relevant experience

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.