Legal Counsel & Contract Manager

Location: Singapore, Singapore

Thales is a global technology leader trusted by governments, institutions, and enterprises to tackle their most demanding challenges. From quantum applications and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and 6G innovation, our solutions empower critical decisions rooted in human intelligence. Operating at the forefront of aerospace and space, cybersecurity and digital identity, we’re driven by a mission to build a future we can all trust.

In Singapore, Thales has been a trusted partner since 1973, originally focused on aerospace activities in the Asia-Pacific region. With 2,000 employees across three local sites, we deliver cutting-edge solutions across aerospace (including air traffic management), defence and security, and digital identity and cybersecurity sectors. Together, we’re shaping the future by enabling customers to make pivotal decisions that safeguard communities and power progress.

WHO ARE WE?

The Job Holder will be part of the Legal, Contract and Compliance (LC&C) Department of Thales international division (DGDI) for Southeast Asia. The LC&C Department support all Thales’ businesses in Southeast Asia (“the Region”).

Within DGDI, you report hierarchically to the Legal, Contract and Compliance Director for Southeast Asia.

Thales has been present and has grown from strength to strength in the Asian region for over 50 years, providing state-of-the-art solutions for customers in the avionics, secure communications and information systems, defense mission systems and strategy, research and technology, and digital security domains. The position particularly covers Cybersecurity Premium Services (CPS) Business Line activities in the Region and Payment Services (PAY) Business Line activities in Taiwan.

Cybersecurity Premium Services (CPS) Business Line supports its enterprise and government customers in the cybersecurity of their digital transformation. We contribute to the identification and control of cyber risks, ensure the implementation of best reduction practices, operate threat driven cyber incident detection and response services, and intervene with our clients when attacks materialize.

With multiple payment methods for both digital and physical transactions, Payment Services (PAY) Business Line helps financial institutions, retailers, transport operators and other players meeting the challenge of rapid evolution of financial services driven by regulatory changes, digital transformation and the arrival of new Fintech players. PAY also provide a growing range of software and services for digital banking and payment services. This includes strong identity verification for enrolling new subscribers, payment data encryption and multiple authentication schemes, including Biometrics, to access digital banking services.

WHO ARE YOU?

• You hold an advanced academic background in Law, Contract Management, Business, or related field, equivalent to a Master’s degree‑level qualification (EU/UK/SG/US or other comparable higher‑education systems) including a Specialization in Law,

• You have 10+ years of demonstrated experience as an in-house legal counsel working in an international context and as part of the legal department of a multinational company,

• Endowed with analytical and synthesis skills, you assess situations accurately and can easily propose pragmatic solutions,

• You understand the stakes associated with a major international Group’s compliance program,

• You master the techniques related to third-party review (third-party screening) and are able to conduct compliance analyses,

• During your experience, you have developed strong proactivity towards stakeholders and good ability to manage priorities,

• You enjoy sharing your experiences and best practices, with a collective and collaborative mindset,

• You also have good listening and communication skills,

• You are keen to work in diverse teams and have inter-cultural awareness and interest,

• You have full mastery of IT tools, all types of data exchange platforms, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint,

• You can travel on regular basis over the Region (once a month) and from time-to-time to Europe (once a year).

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER?

The position particularly covers Cybersecurity Premium Services (CPS) Business Line activities in the Region and Payment Services (PAY) Business Line activities in Taiwan. It also covers transversal Thales’ activities in the Region, especially in Taiwan and Malaysia. For the files you will be responsible for, you will be expected to:

1. Contractual Support for Tender, Offers, Variations & Extensions

• Recommend contractual structures that enhance competitiveness while respecting applicable regulations and internal governance

• Draft, revise, and negotiate contractual documents with customers, partners, and subcontractors

• Contribute to internal risk reviews, financial exposure assessments, and mitigation plans

• Ability to identify opportunities to protect or improve the project's financial performance

• Support the capture and preparation of variations, extensions, new phases or related offers connected to existing program

• Prepare and present contractual sections of internal approval documentation, including clear recommendations to management

2. Contract Management Throughout Project Execution

• Establish, manage, and continuously update the contractual baseline from contract signature to project closure

• Ensure full contractual awareness across the project team, enabling correct application of obligations, rights, deadlines, and deliverables

• Anticipate deviations and manage them proactively through contractual notices, waivers, amendments, claims, clarification requests, and other contractual instruments

• Anticipate and drive the project’s risk and opportunity strategy, in close collaboration with project leadership, including claim preparation, defensive measures, and value‑protection initiatives, proposing defensible, practical solutions

• Oversee all incoming and outgoing contractual communications with the customer, ensuring consistency, traceability, and strategic alignment

• Coordinate with the Litigation Department when disputes arise, including fact‑finding, documentation, evidence management, and support to legal strategy

• Handle contractual aspects of key subcontractors and suppliers or coordinate with dedicated contract management teams where applicable

3. Governance, Leadership & Coordination

• Act as the reference point for all contractual matters within the project

• Provide strategic and operational contractual advice to internal stakeholders

• Participate in departmental initiatives such as improving templates, tools, and best practices, contributing expertise linked to complex project execution

4. Compliance Activities

• Support relevant compliance processes for the tenders and projects (e.g. third‑party screenings) in coordination with the Compliance Officer (Antitrust, Anticorruption, Personal Data Protection (incl. GDPR), Trade compliance & Duty of vigilance), in particular:

• Escalate any potential non‑compliance issues where required.

5. Transversal Activities

• Provide country legal intelligence and knowledge to the relevant global, regional, or corporate stakeholders

• Interface with external counsels for analysis and management of specific legal issues in the framework of complex contractual and/or legal arrangements or claim/litigation procedures in the Region on a need-basis,

• Participate in a cross-functional working group for Legal, Contract and Compliance Department (contract management, IP, standard contracts, insurance…),

• Contribute to the development and delivery of training to operational teams (compliance, contract management, …

At Thales, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where respect, trust, collaboration, and passion drive everything we do. Here, you’ll feel empowered to bring your best self, thrive in a supportive culture, and love the work you do. Join us, and be part of a team reimagining technology to create solutions that truly make a difference – for a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.