The role is based in Tokyo (local position). You will report to the Associate General Counsel, Shell Energy Asia and Shell Energy Australia, who is based in Melbourne, Australia.
At present you will be the sole Shell lawyer based in Japan. You will also be part of the global Shell Legal Team. The role of the Shell Legal team is to provide legal advice, support and related services to its businesses in a proactive, timely, cost-effective and professional manner with a view to furthering business objectives in support of the Shell Group Strategy, adding value and protecting Shell's shareholder interests.
What's the role?
The successful candidate will be accountable for the following:
What we need from you?
We are keen to hear from lawyers with the following qualifications/experience:
At present you will be the sole Shell lawyer based in Japan. You will also be part of the global Shell Legal Team. The role of the Shell Legal team is to provide legal advice, support and related services to its businesses in a proactive, timely, cost-effective and professional manner with a view to furthering business objectives in support of the Shell Group Strategy, adding value and protecting Shell's shareholder interests.
What's the role?
The successful candidate will be accountable for the following:
- Acting as lead lawyer on, and advising on, drafting and negotiating Power trading and related arrangements
- Act as lead lawyer and/or support on select acquisition & divestment and new business development projects in Japan
- Provide legal support to the Lubricants business
- Represent Shell vis-a-vis third parties
- Instruct and manage external counsel when required
- Ensure that legal considerations, including mitigation of legal risks identified, are taken into account in operations, planning activities, contracting, new business/project development, including relations with relevant third parties
- Work with commercial colleagues to develop the legal and commercial structure of the existing business activities and any new business opportunities that arise
- Engage and collaborate with Shell Legal lawyers globally across the function
- Contribute to the broader Shell Group business, reputational and stakeholder agenda
- Commitment to and focus on continuous improvement within the overall legal team
- Maximize benefits and minimize risks that could represent any kind of loss to shareholders, while delivering the business objectives
- Ensure that legal risks are identified, appropriate alternative structures and strategies are considered, and documents are appropriately drafted to reflect commercial decisions, at all times consistent with professional standards, legal obligations and Shell's standards
- Provide advice in connection with, or otherwise participate in, key engagements with regulatory agencies and other stakeholders
- Provide support to energy transition matters and related innovative projects
What we need from you?
We are keen to hear from lawyers with the following qualifications/experience:
- Fluency in Japanese
- Relevant law firm and/or in-house experience
- Japanese law qualification is a very strong advantage
- Experience in Power trading arrangements
- Experience in new business development and project development arrangements
- Ability to work independently (as the sole lawyer in country) is essential, with a demonstrable record as a self-starter and ability to make decisions in ambiguous circumstances and to work in an uncertain regulatory and legal environment without significant management oversight
- Strong business partnering and stakeholder management skills
- Incisive grasp of legal issues, demonstrated learner mindset and capability to expand knowledge in relevant areas of law
- Excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work with both internal and external stakeholders with diverse external background, including senior government officials, senior lawyers/business representatives
- Excellent business acumen, risk assessment ability and ability to balance competing interests of businesses at varied stages of their evolution
- Good commercial mind and the ability to handle multiple demanding clients in an environment which requires a quick and thoughtful legal touch across several legal disciplines and with clients who need pragmatic legal advice
- Ability to address issues creatively and sensitively and to build excellent networking relationships across a range of internal and external organizations
- Astute risk and reputational management skills, and requires the ability to deal with, prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects
- Ability to clearly explain legal risks, develop sound mitigation strategies and find acceptable commercial solutions