Head of Legal

JOB PURPOSE:

• The Head of Legal is responsible for leading and strengthening the legal, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and risk management framework.
• This role acts as a strategic business partner to the Chairman, CEO and Leadership Team to support rapid retail expansion, e-commerce growth, private label/product development, commercial partnerships, technology investments, and operational excellence while ensuring full legal and regulatory compliance.
• The position will oversee enterprise legal aspects across retail operations, commercial contracts, labor & employment matters, product compliance, consumer protection, data privacy, dispute resolution, licensing, corporate governance, M&A/investment support, and regulatory affairs.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Corporate Governance & Board Support

• Act as corporate legal advisor to Chairman, CEO and senior leadership team.
• Support shareholder matters, governance structures, board resolutions, and corporate records.
• Ensure compliance with Vietnamese corporate laws and governance best practices.
• Support investment transactions, fundraising activities, and strategic partnerships.
• Lead legal due diligence activities for expansion projects, investments, and M&A opportunities.
• Develop scalable legal governance frameworks suitable for a high-growth omni-channel retail business.
• Establish legal priorities balancing risk management with business agility.

2. Commercial & Retail Legal Management

• Lead drafting, reviewing, negotiation, and governance of all commercial agreements and contracts including but not limited to Supplier contracts, Distribution agreements, Import/export, Marketing partnerships, Lease & Insurance agreements, Franchise/commercial collaborations, Technology/SaaS agreements, Logistics and warehousing contracts, Marketplace/e-commerce partnerships.
• Support merchandising and sourcing teams for matters relating to Product claims, Labeling compliance, Product registration, Consumer protection regulations, OTC/baby product regulations, Promotional campaigns.
• Ensure legal compliance across store operations and omni-channel activities nationwide.

3. Administrative Procedures & Regulatory Licensing

• Lead and oversee all legal administrative procedures and regulatory licensing activities supporting nationwide retail and omni-channel operations.
• Manage corporate and operational registrations, licenses, and regulatory filings, including but not limited to:
• Business registration and amendments
• Establishment of branches, representative offices, and new business locations
• Operational permits and regulatory approvals
• Promotion registrations and notifications
• Food safety, product-related, and fire protection compliance
• Manage product registration and regulatory approval plans aligned with business and operational requirements.
• Provide legal review and approval for product claims, labeling, packaging, advertising, and promotional activities to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Support Head Office functions, warehouses, and stores in working with local authorities, regulators, inspectors, and enforcement agencies.
• Coordinate with regulatory authorities and external parties regarding licensing, compliance, inspections, and operational legal matters.
• Monitor regulatory changes and provide proactive legal guidance to ensure ongoing compliance across business operations.

4. Intellectual Property (IP) Management & Brand Protection

• Lead enterprise-wide intellectual property protection and brand governance initiatives across all company brands, products, digital platforms, and commercial assets.
• Manage trademark and copyright protection, IP portfolio administration, licensing matters, domain name protection, and anti-counterfeit enforcement activities.
• Protect company brands, private-label products, packaging, marketing assets, digital content, proprietary business information, and confidential know-how.
• Develop governance frameworks and approval processes for brand usage, product naming, advertising and promotional claims, packaging and labeling compliance, digital and marketplace content governance
• Partner with Departments like Commercial/Merchandising, Marketing, Product Development, Supply Chain, E-commerce, Technology, and Operations teams to identify and mitigate IP-related risks.
• Lead enforcement and dispute resolution activities relating to trademark infringement, counterfeit products, unauthorized reseller activities, brand misuse, copyright violations, marketplace takedown actions
• Coordinate with external counsel, authorities, industry bodies, and e-commerce platforms regarding IP registration, enforcement, compliance, and protection matters.
• Establish internal controls and organization-wide awareness regarding intellectual property ownership, confidentiality, customer data usage, and brand protection.

5. Litigation, Corporate Legal Affairs & Risk Management

• Lead and manage legal disputes, complaints, claims, investigations, and related legal proceedings involving the company.
• Represent and protect the company’s legitimate rights and interests in working with government authorities, arbitration centers, courts, external counsel, and third parties.
• Provide legal advice and risk assessment relating to commercial operations, strategic projects, investments, partnerships, and business initiatives.
• Participate in legal due diligence, legal structuring, and appraisal activities for M&A transactions, investments, new company establishment, and other strategic projects.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks across business operations and functions.
• Review, develop, update, and implement legal policies, governance frameworks, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance and strengthen enterprise risk management.
• Monitor changes in laws and regulations, assess business impact, and provide proactive legal guidance to relevant stakeholders.
• Support the development of legal awareness and compliance culture across the organization.

1. Education background:

• Bachelor’s degree in law (mandatory), Lawyer Practicing Certificate preferred and/or master’s degree in legal/business is an advantage.

2. Experience

• 12-15+ years of legal experience and at least 5 years in managerial role with proven records working in Large Retail chains/FMCG/Consumer Goods/e-commerce/Fast-growth business.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations and rapid business scaling.
• Experience working with investors, board members, and senior executives.
• Experience working with government authorities and managing complex regulatory or reputational matters preferred.
• Proven experience in compliance training, conducting audits, and resolving legal issues in a business environment.

3. Skills, Knowledge & Competencies

• Be able to analyze complex issues, make sound judgments and propose different solutions,
• Strong knowledge of advertising laws, promotions, consumer protection, corporate governance, Retail store activities and licensing processes.
• Strong communication skills with proficiency in English (written and spoken),
• Strong commercial mindset,
• Executive stakeholder management,
• High business acumen
• High integrity and ethics