Head of Legal, Singapore

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

Job description (heading) /  Description du poste (titre)

• The Head of Legal, Singapore will serve as a senior life insurance lawyer leading the legal team supporting the Sun Life Singapore’s high-net-worth (HNW) life insurance business. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Sun Life Asia, this strategic role will provide executive-level legal guidance and oversight to Sun Life’s high-net-worth (HNW) life insurance business in Singapore.The Head of Legal, Singapore will be responsible for developing and implementing legal strategies to support business growth, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance across all jurisdictions. They will serve as a key advisor to senior management on complex legal, regulatory, and governance requirements related to the development, distribution, and servicing of life insurance products for HNW markets served by SLS.

• 1. Legal expertise in HNW (High Net Worth) life insurance and financial services2. Knowledge of private banking, wealth planning, tax advisory, and trustee services3. Proficiency in Singapore law and legal practices4. Advanced legal research and analysis skills5. Strategic planning and business alignment capabilities6. Risk management and compliance expertise7. Project management skills8. Regulatory and legal trend analysis9. Cross-cultural communication and collaboration abilities10. Leadership and stakeholder management skills11. Problem-solving and decision-making skills12. Business acumen and financial literacy13. Negotiation and conflict resolution skills14. Legal writing and documentation skills15. Ethical and professional conduct standards16. Time management and ability to handle multiple priorities17. Adaptability to work across different time zones and with global teams

Qualifications (heading) / Compétences (titre)

• Education:
• 1. Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor or equivalent degree
• 2. Advanced degree or relevant certifications preferred
• Experience:
• 1. Minimum of 10-15 years of progressively responsible relevant legal experience in:
•    - HNW (High Net Worth) life insurance
•    - Brokerage or related financial services
• 2. Experience in private banking, wealth planning, tax advisory, or trustee roles is considered an advantage
• 3. Must be an accredited member in good standing to practice law in Singapore
• 4. Demonstrated ability as a high-performing legal leader with high credibility as a trusted advisor
• 5. Proven track record of influencing senior stakeholders
• 6. Experience in navigating complex, international organizations
• 7. Expertise in translating complex legal concepts into actionable business strategies
• 8. Strong business acumen with ability to align legal strategies with business objectives
• 9. Proven experience as a self-starter, working both independently and within teams
• 10. Experience in project management, leading multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously

Responsibilities (heading) / Responsabilités (titre)

• 1. Executive Leadership and Strategy   • Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team   • Develop and implement legal strategies for product development and management2. Contract Management and Negotiations   • Draft and negotiate distribution contracts and strategic partnerships   • Review and negotiate various types of agreements (vendor, intercompany, reinsurance, etc.)   • Manage external counsel engagement and relationships3. Operational and Product Legal Support   • Provide legal support for operations, underwriting, claims, and other product-related issues   • Support new product development and in-force product management4. Regulatory Compliance and Affairs   • Collaborate on anti-money laundering, sanctions law, and privacy programs   • Advise on regulatory affairs, examinations, and new legal developments5. Cross-functional Collaboration   • Work with compliance leadership on various programs   • Collaborate with legal counterparts across Sun Life's HNW businesses globally6. Strategic Legal Counsel and Governance   • Provide strategic legal counsel on a broad range of subjects   • Support corporate and policy governance   • Handle litigation and regular business reporting to Sun Life Asia regional office

Job Category:

Posting End Date: