In Asia Pacific, BNP Paribas is one of the best-positioned international financial institutions with an uninterrupted presence since 1860. Currently with over 18,000 employees* and a presence in 13 markets, BNP Paribas provides corporates, institutional and private investors with product and service solutions tailored to their specific needs. It offers a wide range of financial services covering corporate & institutional banking, wealth management, asset management, insurance, as well as retail banking and consumer financing through strategic partnerships.
Worldwide, BNP Paribas has a presence in 68 markets with more than 193,000 employees. It has key positions in its three main activities: Domestic Markets and International Financial Services (whose retail-banking networks and financial services are covered by Retail Banking & Services) and Corporate & Institutional Banking, which serves two client franchises: corporate clients and institutional investors. Asia Pacific is a key strategic region for BNP Paribas and it continues to develop its franchise in the region.
* excluding partnerships
At BNP Paribas, we passionately embrace diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees are valued, respected and can bring their authentic selves to work. We prohibit Discrimination and Harassment of any kind and our policies promote equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants, irrespective of, but not limited to their gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, colour, national origin, age, religion, social status, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status etc. As a global Bank, we truly believe that inclusion and diversity of our teams is key to our success in serving our clients and the communities we operate in.
https://careers.apac.bnpparibas/
Position Purpose
We are seeking an experienced qualified lawyer to join the Global Markets Legal (Japan) team. The Global Markets Legal (Japan) team currently comprises two (2) international qualified lawyers, a Japanese qualified lawyer and a documentation specialist. The Global Markets Legal (Japan) team provides support to all of BNPP’s Global Markets business lines in Japan and regularly works closely with our business teams to provide advice on OTC derivative transactions, issuances of structured securities (including repackaging transactions), securities lending and repurchase transactions, debt capital markets transactions, securitization transactions, reinsurance transactions and sales/trading activities.
The successful candidate for this position will be expected to:
(a) provide support across all of BNPP’s Global Markets business in Japan;
(b) demonstrate strong technical legal and analytical skills combined with a commercially minded, solutions-focused approach;
(c) operate independently and with initiative, taking ownerships of tasks and larger projects, where appropriate;
(d) work collaboratively as a part of a team; and
(e) demonstrate a willingness to support other members of the team and foster cohesive and respectful working environment.
Given the current make-up of the Global Markets Legal (Japan) team and the demands of BNPP’s Global Markets business lines in Japan, the ideal profile for the new hire is a Japanese law qualified, transactional lawyer, with strong Japanese and English language skills. Experience advising on Japanese equity and equity derivative transactions as well as domestic securities lending and repurchase transactions governed by standard documentation published by the Japan Securities Dealer Association would be considered favourably. Candidates who do not have relevant experience in this area but are highly motivated, willing to learn and take on new challenges would be considered.
Responsibilities
Direct Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for providing legal advice and support for transactional, regulatory projects within Global Markets (the Primary Coverage Area). More specifically, the successful candidate will be responsible for:
(i) providing legal advice to front, middle and back office personnel regarding the Primary Coverage Area and any related matters;
(ii) drafting, reviewing, commenting on and negotiating legal documentation and otherwise providing transactional support within the Primary Coverage Area;
(iii) participating in, and contributing to, the validation process for new business, products and transactions within the Primary Coverage Area;
(iv) drafting and/or reviewing BNPP’s internal policies and procedures which are relevant to the Primary Coverage Area;
(v) applying and implementing BNPP’s global, regional and local policies and procedures relevant to the Primary Coverage Area;
(vi) providing legal or any other support to litigation or any other type of disputes the firm is involved in relating to the Primary Coverage Area;
(vii) appointing of external law firms, and managing relationships with external law firms in connection with the Primary Coverage Area;
(viii) monitoring new law and regulations and any significant regulatory/industry developments which impact upon the Primary Coverage Area and, where appropriate, updating the Japan Legal team on such developments;
(ix) assisting with global, regional and local projects assigned by the Head of Legal or the Head of Global Markets Legal, whether related to the Primary Coverage Area or not; and
(x) assisting with any ancillary matters related to the above or otherwise assigned by the Head of Legal or the Head of Global Markets Legal.
Contributing Responsibilities
Expected contributions of the successful candidate include:
(i) being open to learn from others and to share his/her knowledge with the other members of the Global Markets Legal (Japan) and Japan Legal teams as well as with colleagues in business lines and other functions, particularly in respect of with new law and regulations and any significant regulatory/industry developments;
(ii) ensuring that BNPP manages and mitigates the risks that it is exposed to, including, amongst others, legal, regulatory, tax, credit, operational and reputation/franchise risks whether related to the Primary Coverage Area or not;
(iii) providing assistance and support to other members of the Global Markets Legal (Japan) and Japan Legal teams and cooperating with them;
(iv) working independently but also as a team player;
(v) helping to make the Japan Legal team a professional, efficient and pleasant work place; and
(vi) participating in, and contributing to, workgroups and other meetings as required from time to time.
Technical & Behavioral Competencies
The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate:
(i) technical knowledge, experience and ability (including analytical skills) within the Primary Coverage Area;
(ii) confidence to advise on legal/regulatory issues related to the Primary Coverage Area but also in managing relationships with, and the expectations of, business people who may sometimes be very demanding;
(iii) ability to communicate effectively and confidently with individuals at all levels of seniority and from different cultures;
(iv) willingness to take ownership of assigned matters and projects;
(v) having a pro-active and “can-do” attitude;
(vi) ability to independently progress legal-related assignments/projects and drive them through to completion;
(vii) detail oriented but also can act with perspective;
(viii) adaptability;
(ix) intellectual curiosity;
(x) ability to work as part of a team including, without limitation, making updates/reports to his/her supervisor (and if appropriate) his/her colleagues properly and timely; and
(xi) native Japanese speaker and fluent in English.
Specific Qualifications/Skills
• Admitted to practice in Japan (ideally with 8 – 12 years’ post-qualification experience).
• Ability to review and draft legal documentation in Japanese and English.
