Rakuten Symphony is reimagining telecom, changing supply chain norms and disrupting outmoded thinking that threatens the industry's pursuit of rapid innovation and growth. Based on proven modern infrastructure practices, its open interface platforms make it possible to launch and operate advanced mobile services in a fraction of the time and cost of conventional approaches, with no compromise to network quality or security. Rakuten Symphony has operations in Japan, the United States, Singapore, India, South Korea, Europe, and the Middle East Africa region. For more information, visit: https://symphony.rakuten.com
Building on the technology Rakuten used to launch Japan's newest mobile network, we are taking our mobile offering global.
To support our ambitions to provide an innovative cloud-native telco platform for our customers, Rakuten Symphony is looking to recruit and develop top talent from around the globe. We are looking for individuals to join our team across all functional areas of our business – from sales to engineering, support functions to product development.
Let's build the future of mobile telecommunications together!
About Rakuten Rakuten Group, Inc. (TSE: 4755) is a global leader in internet services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Founded in Tokyo in 1997 as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded to offer services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications to approximately 1.5 billion members around the world. The Rakuten Group has over 27,000 employees, and operations in 30 countries and regions. For more information visit https://global.rakuten.com/corp/.
The Role:
We are looking for a Legal Counsel with strong background and experience in global commercial software/system sales and procurement to support our sales teams in a dynamic and fast-paced business environment. In this role, you will work closely with the business teams on a global basis on key customer and vendor accounts and collaborate with teams in Japan and globally.
This role will majorly support EMEA and Asia regions and requires complete knowledge of and understanding in global software / system sales, IT Software, cloud, enterprise solutions, telecommunication software with a focus on complex commercial agreements. The individual in this role is expected to work independently in their areas of core competency and handle complex matters under the guidance of the Director of Legal, India and the Global General Counsel.
Key Responsibilities:
- Review and negotiate commercial sales and procurement agreements for the business globally, including Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Reseller agreements, Software Licensing Agreements, Turnkey System Integration/Delivery Agreement, Statements of Work (SOWs), Proof of Concept agreements, RFP and tender documents review, sales orders, change orders and other agreements involving a variety of complex and evolving issues.
- Handle multiple global sales and protect the organization from risk in a dynamic and fast paced environment.
- Manage risk and ensure business and compliance needs are accurately reflected in client agreement(s).
- Conduct analysis of contractual issues, including terms across multiple regions, clients and contracts.
- Respond timely to inquiries from all departments regarding contractual obligations and commitments; ensure that contractual matters are addressed efficiently and promptly.
- Advise company management on complex client matters, using persuasion in delivering concise and clear messages, with the ability to adapt style to differing audiences on difficult matters, including potential risks in contractual, regulatory, compliance, financial, and legal areas.
- Interact professionally with clients, internal business units, stakeholders, departments and Rakuten Symphony's corporate affiliates throughout the world.
- Respond promptly to the demands of multiple internal client groups.
- Assist with the development and implementation of contract procedures and templates to improve operational efficiency.
- Work across multiple global time zones (including but not limited to India, Europe, South Africa, USA, Japan) is required for this position which will require work outside of normal work hours, as per requirement.
- Occasional Travel, only if required (domestic and globally), approximately 10% of the time.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
- A minimum of eight (8) years or more of relevant legal experience including a mix of corporate law firm and in-house work, with a minimum of four (4) years of experience as in-house counsel in the technology sector.
- Strong experience in global commercial contracting, including drafting, understanding terms, and negotiating.
- Experience working on multiple complex commercial contracts and keeping a track and priority for all.
- Prior experience in global organizations is essential.
- Prior experience at suppliers to mobile telecoms operators (e.g. Ericson, Nokia, Samsung, Huawei, RedHat) is desirable.
KNOWLEDGE & ATTRIBUTES
- Seasoned, experienced professional; with significant experience in IT, Software, Cloud, Sales contracts, client contracting and commercial leasing.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Both written and verbal fluency in English are required. Ability to draft contracts in English is essential.
- Applies advanced wide-ranging experience and in-depth professional knowledge to develop, resolve and assess a wide range of complex issues in creative ways and suggests variations in approach as an important team player and internal team consultation.
- Contributes to development of company objectives and principles to achieve goals in creative and effective ways.
- Requires conceptual thinking to understand complex issues and their implications.
- Developed business acumen, and the ability to combine legal and business analysis and judgment in a practical manner.
- Work effectively under pressure and respond to urgent situations as needed, prioritizing multiple business objectives, and meeting deadlines and milestones for projects assigned.
- Self-starter, excellent time management skills, well organized, effectively manages stress in a fast-paced environment and produces timely, accurate, consistent, and positive results under deadline pressure.
- Ability to work well both independently and as part of a highly collaborative team.
- High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and excellent proofreading skills.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS
- Law degree from a recognized university/ an accredited law school.
- International studies (outside India), e.g. LL.M or MBA at a reputable university/law school are desirable
- Admitted to practice law in India or another well recognized jurisdiction (e.g. New York/England/Singapore/Australia).
