As Singapore's first strategic goods startup, we are at the forefront of innovation in a highly regulated industry. We're scaling globally while navigating complex legal landscapes and developing products that require a unique legal and compliance framework. We are now seeking our first in-house lawyer to focus on closing revenue and building foundational legal architecture.

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We’re looking for our first Contract and Commercial Lead to join as the key legal professional to act as a primary driver for closing revenue, delivering strategic legal advice on core commercial matters, and building the essential foundational legal architecture required for our global scale. The role requires a blend of setting high-level strategic direction with hands-on execution, spanning commercial contracting, IP protection, statutory compliance, and fundraising support.

Candidates must have the legal right to work in their jurisdiction of hire. Nandina REM is unable to sponsor local work visas for this role.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Corporate & Commercial Lead: Serve as the primary legal driver for all corporate matters, combining strategic direction with hands-on execution. This scope includes the management of the intellectual property protection strategy and pipeline, corporate governance, and the full lifecycle of commercial transactions.

• Contract Lifecycle Management: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, with a strong emphasis on creating industry-first service agreements for our customers. This requires a deep understanding of contracts law and the ability to innovate within legal frameworks.

• Strategic Goods Regulation: Ensure compliance with Singapore's Strategic Goods (Control) Act and other international trade regulations. This role requires navigating the complexities of dual-use goods, balancing commercial growth with regulatory obligations.

• Venture Capital & Financing Support: Be actively involved in all financing rounds. This includes managing the legal due diligence process, coordinating the review of investment agreements, and serving as the primary internal liaison with investors and external counsel to ensure efficient closing.

• Risk Management: Develop and implement a robust legal and compliance framework to mitigate risks across all business functions. This includes managing litigation, resolving disputes, and ensuring adherence to data privacy and cybersecurity laws.

• Team Operations & Leadership: Manage a team of paralegals and any interns and support the future scaling of the legal function.

 

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Juris Doctor (JD), or or a recognised equivalent legal qualification

• Admission to the Singapore Bar or qualified to practice in another Common Law jurisdiction.

• Minimum of 4-5 years Post-Qualification Experience (PQE) as a practicing lawyer as a mid- or senior-level associate at a law firm, as an in-house legal counsel (ideally at a startup), or as a combination of both.

• Demonstrated expertise in contracts law and a proven track record of successfully negotiating complex commercial agreements, with a particular focus on IP protection

• Startup Aptitude: can learn new legal and compliance domains quickly and apply past experience to new territory

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, shifting seamlessly between strategic and hands-on legal work
   

Ideal

• Experience with venture capital financing and a strong understanding of startup funding lifecycles is a significant advantage.

• Knowledge of strategic goods regulations or related international trade compliance is a significant advantage.