Counsel, Legal

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

The position is for a highly skilled, motivated, and energetic lawyer to join AP legal team, with a focus on providing dedicated legal support for Visa Japan team primarily in the areas of marketing, comms and product areas (but will be required to provide legal support for other commercial portfolios as well).

The scope of work is broad, dynamic and includes (but is not limited to)

• Provide primary legal support to business colleagues and various functions in Visa Japan office on day to day general legal matters. Work effectively and collaboratively with the Japan office colleagues, as well as with members of Visa's global and AP legal department.

• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, such as advertising and promotion agreements, consumer facing T&Cs, IP assignments, relevant consent forms, MOU, sponsorship agreements, sale and purchase agreements, service agreements, consultancy and contractor agreements, and confidentiality agreements, mostly in English but occasionally in Japanese.  

• Provide legal support for various marketing campaigns and initiatives.

• Hands on review of marketing creatives in a broad variety of channels and formats (including physical, online and social digital channels)

• Providing training to local teams on relevant legal concepts, principles and internal process

• Liasing with other stakeholders (across functions and geographies) to align on AP or global projects and initiatives (and implementation thereof) from a legal perspective

• Supporting on other commercial portfolios and initiatives as required from time to time, which could include assistance and backfill for other members in the Legal team.

• Meet the high personal standards of integrity, confidentiality and diligence consistent with a lawyer's duty.

• Provide additional market support to AP colleagues when required.

The position will report to Vice President, Japan Legal.

We are looking for a strong legal advisor and commercial lawyer rolled into one with excellent communication and analytical skills, who is self-motivated and willing to work reasonably hard. Prior payments experience is not required, although the applicant must be willing to learn Visa's business model and the payments industry.

Why this is important to Visa

The Counsel will play a key role as a trusted advisor in a very important pillar of Visa’s growth and strategy.

This role is critical in ensuring that legal risks are identified and managed efficiently with relevant stakeholders while enabling our business to create and launch exciting, business and marketing initiatives that continue to build on Visa’s brand strength and showcase our drive for innovation and social impact.

Projects you will be a part of

You will be a member of Japan legal team that works at the cutting edge of new payment technologies, innovation and the fintech industry in an increasingly regulated environment, which brings unique and novel challenges in the commercial, technology and marketing law space.

This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office 2-3 set days a week (determined by leadership/site), with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% or more of the time based on business needs.

We are looking for a strong leader who brings of breadth of experience and knowledge of the industry and our business. As a candidate, you should have
• 7 years and more post qualification experience, with commercial legal experience in private practice at a top tier law firm
• Inhouse experience with multinational organizations in the payments industry a plus.
• Qualified to practice law (must). Qualification to practice Japanese law desirable.
• Strong academic credentials from a reputable university are essential.
• International legal experience, knowledge of US or English common law ideal
• Strong knowledge and experience in marketing and consumer regulations, intellectual property law (especially in the context of marketing and consumer related work) and working knowledge of data/privacy laws
• First class English and Japanese language skill (verbal and written) is must.
• Must be able to work independently and interface with executive level stakeholders with little or no supervision, but also be a good team player
• Must be a practical and proactive problem solver, must have a strong business acumen and be confident, mature and calm under fire
• Excellent legal analytical skills with the ability to integrate legal advice and business knowledge, while providing balanced advice regarding risks and benefits
• Must be able to live and work in Japan

Visa is an EEO Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.