Head of Legal (HK Listed Company)

Company:Our client is a sizeable publicly listed company on the Hong Kong Stock ExchangeJob SummaryThe Head of Legal will support the General Counsel in providing strategic legal leadership across the Group. This is a senior in-house role responsible for managing a broad range of corporate, commercial, regulatory, and compliance matters relevant to a Hong Kong-listed entity. The role holder will work closely with senior management, the Board, and business units to mitigate legal risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and support business growth objectives in Hong Kong, Greater China, and international markets.Key ResponsibilitiesCorporate Governance & Listing ComplianceAdvise on and ensure compliance with HKEX Listing Rules, Corporate Governance Code, and disclosure obligations (including inside information, notifiable transactions, connected transactions, and share schemes).Support Board and Board Committee secretarial and governance matters, including preparation of board papers, resolutions, and corporate announcements.Manage regulatory filings with HKEX, SFC, and Companies Registry.M&A, Capital Markets & Strategic TransactionsLead or support due diligence, negotiation, and documentation of mergers, acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, and strategic investments.Assist in equity and debt capital market transactions, including rights issues, placings, and bond issuances.Provide commercial and legal structuring advice on cross-border deals.Commercial Contracts & Business SupportReview, draft, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements (e.g., procurement, distribution, licensing, technology, and customer contracts).Advise business units on day-to-day legal issues across operations, sales, supply chain, and digital initiatives.Regulatory Compliance & Risk ManagementOversee group-wide compliance with Securities and Futures Ordinance, anti-bribery and corruption (ABAC), anti-money laundering (AML), data privacy (PDPO), and sanctions regimes.Develop and maintain compliance policies, training programs, and monitoring systems.Manage external legal counsel relationships and control legal spend.Disputes & LitigationHandle or supervise litigation, arbitration, and regulatory investigations.Provide proactive risk assessment and mitigation strategies.Team Leadership & Other DutiesSupervise and mentor internal legal counsel and support staff.Act as deputy to the General Counsel and deputise in their absence.Support ESG, sustainability, and other emerging regulatory initiatives.Perform any other legal or compliance tasks as required by the General Counsel or the Board.Qualifications & ExperienceQualified lawyer in Hong Kong (Solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong) or qualified in a major common law jurisdiction with eligibility to practise in Hong Kong.Minimum 12-20 years of post-qualification experience, with at least 10 years in-house at a listed company (preferably HK-listed or international group with HK operations).Strong experience in HKEX Listing Rules, corporate governance, and capital markets transactions.Experience in Greater China / APAC legal matters is highly desirable.Prior experience in a law firm (magic circle / top-tier Hong Kong firm) followed by in-house experience is preferred.Skills & CompetenciesExcellent command of written and spoken English and Chinese (Cantonese and/or Putonghua); ability to draft bilingual documents is a strong advantage.Strong commercial judgment with the ability to balance legal risks against business needs.Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and operate under pressure in a fast-paced listed company environment.High integrity, discretion, and sound ethical judgment.Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to engage effectively with senior executives, Board members, and regulators.Detail-oriented with excellent analytical, drafting, and negotiation skills.Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with business acumen.