Position: Contract & Risk Management – Inorganic (M&A)
Location: Tokyo + Hybrid Work
Employment Type: Full-time (Manager / Associate Manager level)

About the Role
A leading global professional services group is seeking a highly skilled legal professional to join its Inorganic (M&A) Legal Team. In this role, you will take the lead on M&A transactions—primarily where the group is the acquirer—while also helping develop future legal talent within the organisation. This is a unique opportunity to act as a legal leader on high-impact transactions and to work closely with senior management and specialists across the business.

Key Responsibilities
M&A Legal Leadership (70%)

Lead legal work streams for multiple buy-side M&A transactions (including Post-Merger Integration).
Conduct legal due diligence, negotiate contracts, and manage cross-functional integration activities.
Support the development and training of junior legal team members.
Review internal policies and contracts to enhance legal understanding across business units.

Contract Review (30%)

Review and draft Japanese and English commercial agreements and other legal documents.
Engage in negotiations involving both domestic and international stakeholders.

Cross-Border Collaboration

Work with legal teams across the Asia Pacific region on shared M&A and integration projects.

Career Path

Serve as the lead legal representative on the organization’s M&A deals.
Future opportunities may include leadership roles within domestic, regional (APAC), or global legal functions.

Required Qualifications (MUST)
Experience

Proven experience leading multiple buy-side M&A legal processes, including due diligence, contract negotiation, and Post-Merger Integration.
Experience reviewing both Japanese and English contracts.

Skills

Strong project management capability.
Excellent negotiation and communication skills required for M&A and integration work.
Solid legal knowledge relevant to M&A.
Business-level English proficiency (TOEIC 800+ equivalent).

Preferred Qualifications (WANT)

Experience in a managerial role.
Law degree, law school graduate, or past bar exam candidate (passing not required).

Ideal Candidate Profile

Able to understand and operate within regulatory frameworks unique to large professional services groups.
Proactive, collaborative, and motivated to mentor junior colleagues.
Comfortable interacting with senior management and cross-functional teams.

Working Style & Culture

Hybrid work model with at least two days per week in the office.
Policies supporting work–life balance, including limited after-hours email, “focus time” on certain Fridays, and flexible programs for childcare or caregiving needs.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and fostering a high‑trust, growth-oriented work environment.
Active initiatives supporting personal, societal, and planetary well-being.

Compensation & Benefits

Work Hours:

Manager level: Fixed hours (9:30–17:30), treated as exempt under labor law.
Below Manager: Flextime available (core hours not specified).

Holidays: Weekends, public holidays, year-end holidays, paid leave (15–25 days), and various special leave programs.
Bonuses:

Managers: Once annually
Non‑managers: Twice annually

Promotion: Annual evaluation in August.
Insurance: Full social insurance coverage.
Retirement & Welfare: Defined contribution pension, retirement allowance system, health checkups, and more.
Trial Period: 6 months.
Side Work: Generally not permitted.
Conversion to Permanent Employee: Available for eligible contract employees.

Work Location

Tokyo office, home office, or other approved locations.