Corporate Counsel, APAC

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Job Summary

Legal Counsel, Japan and Asia is a senior legal business partner and recognized subject matter expert responsible for enabling Genesys' commercial strategy in Japan, with selective support for broader Asia matters. The role leads complex, high-value and strategically significant technology transactions, including cloud subscription, software licensing, professional services, partner/channel and strategic alliance arrangements. It provides independent, commercially pragmatic advice to sales and business leadership on matters where the facts, law, stakeholder dynamics or risk profile are novel, ambiguous or highly consequential.

The successful candidate is expected to translate functional strategy into practical legal plans; establish negotiation approaches, playbooks and governance; shape organizational objectives; build networks across the business; and influence senior internal and external stakeholders. The role may lead cross-functional projects, coach less experienced legal colleagues and direct legal workstreams without necessarily carrying formal people-management or budget responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial transactions. Lead the negotiation, drafting and closing of complex and high-value cloud, SaaS, software licensing and technology agreements, including subscription agreements, professional services and statements of work, enterprise licensing, support, reseller and channel arrangements, strategic alliances, teaming and subcontractor agreements, marketing agreements, RFP responses and related commercial documents.

• Strategic deal leadership. Set legal strategy, risk positions, escalation pathways and negotiation tactics for significant or unique transactions. Exercise independent judgment in selecting methods, balancing legal exposure, revenue objectives, customer relationships and speed to close.

• Senior business advice. Advise Japan and Asia leaders on material legal and commercial matters affecting the business, including cloud services, AI-enabled offerings, data privacy and security, cross-border data transfers, intellectual property, competition, consumer and sector-specific requirements.

• Operational planning. Translate Legal and business strategy into practical operating plans, priorities and scalable legal support models. Develop and maintain templates, playbooks, approval frameworks, training and self-service resources for recurring transactions and new business models.

• Strategic initiatives. Lead or materially contribute to projects of organizational importance, such as product and market launches, contracting transformation, strategic partnerships, public-sector opportunities and new routes to market. Coordinate cross-functional teams across Legal, Sales, Finance, Product, Security, Privacy, Compliance, Procurement and Revenue Operations.

• Influence and stakeholder management. Build formal networks across senior leadership, individual contributors, customers, partners, vendors and outside counsel. Convey advanced legal and risk analysis clearly, secure alignment among diverse stakeholders and drive practical decisions.

• Subject matter expertise. Act as a recognized internal expert on Japan commercial contracting and associated APAC issues. Provide thought leadership, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and contribute to regional policies, standards and organizational objectives.

• Disputes and outside counsel. Support commercial disputes, pre-litigation and litigation strategy, including preservation of rights, early resolution options and management of outside counsel, with a focus on protecting the business while preserving strategic relationships.

• Coaching and capability building. Provide guidance, coaching and training to business stakeholders and less experienced legal colleagues. Promote consistent judgment, high drafting standards, knowledge sharing and effective escalation.

• Legal operations and governance. Support contract approval, contract lifecycle and records-management processes; monitor recurring negotiation themes and risk trends; improve cycle times and decision quality; and assist with Japan entity governance, compliance and corporate records as required.

• Ad hoc . Ad hoc as directed by manager from time to time.

Role Scope and Expectations

Dimension

Expected scope

Organizational impact

Implements strategic plans established by functional leadership and creates the operating approach and tactics needed to achieve commercial and legal objectives. Results may affect the Japan business, the APAC legal function or a wider geography.

Problem solving

Works on significant and unique issues requiring analysis of broadly defined variables, conceptual thinking and an understanding of advanced legal, regulatory and commercial implications. Independently determines methods, techniques and evaluation criteria.

Communication and influence

Coordinates among senior leaders, individual contributors and external stakeholders. Communicates complex information persuasively, creates alignment across different interests and is recognized internally as a subject matter expert.

Leadership and talent

Frequently provides guidance, coaching and training. Leads strategic cross-functional initiatives and may direct project teams or a small number of direct reports, generally without headcount or budget ownership.

Minimum Qualifications

• Law degree and admission as a lawyer in Japan or another recognized jurisdiction. Japanese bengoshi qualification is strongly preferred; the candidate must maintain any professional status required for the role.

• Professional fluency in Japanese and English, including the ability to negotiate complex matters, draft clear contractual language and advise senior stakeholders in both languages.

• 12 or more years of relevant post-qualification legal experience, with substantial experience in complex commercial and technology transactions. Equivalent combinations of advanced qualifications, experience and demonstrated similar scope may be considered.

• Significant experience gained in a top-tier law firm, a major technology company, or a comparable combination of private practice and in-house roles.

• Deep knowledge of commercial and contract law, with a strong track record in cloud/SaaS, software licensing, professional services, partner/channel, distribution and strategic transactions.

• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex privacy, data security, cross-border data transfer, cloud, AI, intellectual property, competition and regulatory issues, and to coordinate specialist advice where required.

• Track record of leading significant or unique matters, exercising independent judgment and delivering outcomes that materially affect a business, function or geography.

• Executive presence and strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to influence senior leaders, customers, partners, vendors and external advisers.

• Commercially pragmatic, solutions-focused judgment; strong prioritization and project-management skills; and the ability to manage multiple strategic matters accurately and at pace.

• Established record of building trusted relationships with internal and external clients and working effectively across Sales, Finance, Product, Security, Privacy, Compliance, Procurement and Operations.

• Right to reside and work in