Legal Counsel / Senior Legal Counsel (Technology, Digital Transformation, Data and Cybersecurity)

The Company

Changi Airport Group (CAG) offers legal counsels a unique in-house environment, one blending private sector drive and initiative with a strong sense of public responsibility and mission. We operate in a highly-regulated industry, within a complex eco-system of airlines, commercial partners, vendors, lessees, licensees and government agencies. The Changi Airport brand is synonymous with Singapore and excellence, with stakeholders, passengers and members of the public coming to expect nothing less than high standards in everything that we do. Beyond managing and operating the airport, we are actively leveraging technology, digital platforms and media channels to grow new business lines, enhance customer experience and support enterprise-wide digital transformation. We are looking to attract suitable candidates to join us on this dynamic and high-stakes journey.

Our Legal & Compliance Team

Our Legal & Compliance Division is a team of professionals who provide sound, insightful, timely and actionable advice to CAG and its management. It is a highly-engaged and trusted business partner who contributes to sharpening CAG's competitive edge and making us better from within. Even as we proactively partner to enable the business, the Legal & Compliance team serves as a watchful guardian of both CAG's immediate interests and long term reputation. We value teamwork, collegiality and deep engagement with the business. We expect our lawyers to demonstrate integrity, sound judgment, strong technical competence and gravitas. We endeavour to set the pace, collaborate closely with our partner-clients and continuously raise standards. Given the breadth of work we support, there is never a dull day.

Job Description

1.            We are seeking a mid- to senior-level legal counsel to support the organisation’s information technology, media and telecommunications portfolio. This role provides end-to-end legal support across technology procurement, digital initiatives, and emerging technology projects. The successful candidate will work closely with our Airport Operations Technology & Corporate IT (AOT&C), Cybersecurity & Digital Governance (CDG) and Enterprise Digital Ecosystem & Business (EDEB) Divisions to enable innovation while managing legal, regulatory and reputational risks. This role calls for the ability to balance innovation enablement with regulatory, contractual and reputational risk management.

2.    Responsibilities will include:

• Serve as the primary legal partner for major technology, digital and data initiatives across AOT&C, CDG and EDEB, from early concept through procurement, implementation and steady-state operations;
• Providing comprehensive legal advice on IT, technology, media and telecommunications matters, including software licensing, SaaS, cloud services, systems integration, managed services, outsourcing and technology procurement arrangements;
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of commercial and technology contracts, including master services agreements, maintenance and support agreements, data processing agreements, and technology-enabled partnerships;
• Advising on legal and regulatory issues relating to data protection, privacy, cybersecurity, information security, technology risk management and cross-border data transfers;
• Partnering business and IT stakeholders on digital transformation projects, product and platform development, system implementations and technology rollouts;
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of legal templates, playbooks, and contracting processes for technology-related procurement;
• Advising on legal risks associated with emerging technologies (e.g. Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, automation and digital platforms), including governance, responsible use and regulatory developments;
• Providing pragmatic day-to-day legal advice that balances risk management with business objectives and delivery timelines;
• Monitoring and advising on relevant legislative and regulatory developments affecting technology, media and telecommunications; and
• Preparing and conducting training or awareness sessions to enhance legal and risk awareness among IT, digital and business teams.

Qualifications

Candidates should:

• Have at least 6 years post-qualification experience from an established in-house legal team or established private practice law firm, or a mix of both, with demonstrable exposure to IT, technology, media or telecommunications matters. Fluency in personal data protection would be preferred;
• Have demonstrated enthusiasm/fluency with AI, and a constructive and proactive attitude and approach towards innovation and tech developments;
• Be a confident communicator, able to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including senior management;
• Have strong curiosity and is a self starter with high initiative, and a willingness to continuously improve legal processes and templates;
• Possess strong drafting and negotiation skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and concisely to non-legal stakeholders;
• Demonstrate strong organisational skills and have experience advising on complex, multi-stakeholder and time-sensitive projects in fast-paced environments; and
• Be commercially minded, solutions-oriented and comfortable partnering closely with business and technical teams.