Worldwide Flight Services (WFS)
VP Legal, EMEA
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Who we are
Headquartered in Singapore, SATS Ltd. is one of the world’s largest providers of air cargo handling services and Asia’s leading airline caterer. SATS Gateway Services provides airfreight and ground handling services including passenger services, ramp and baggage handling, aviation security services, aircraft cleaning and aviation laundry. SATS Food Solutions serves airlines, institutions, and operates central kitchens with large-scale food production and distribution capabilities for a wide range of cuisines. SATS is present in the Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, powering an interconnected world of trade, travel and taste. Following the acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) in 2023, the combined SATS and WFS network operates over 215 stations in 27 countries. These cover trade routes responsible for more than 50% of global air cargo volume. SATS has been listed on the Singapore Exchange since May 2000. For more information, please visit www.sats.com.sg
The Role
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Vice President, Legal, EMEA to lead and manage our legal and compliance function in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). This role requires a seasoned legal professional with 15–20 years of practice experience, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, global environment. The successful candidate will oversee a disparate team of lawyers, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives while maintaining the highest standards of legal compliance and governance.
The Vice President, Legal, EMEA will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the organisation’s legal strategy in the named regions, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives and global policies. This position requires a proactive and collaborative counsellor, adept at navigating cross-border legal complexities, managing enterprise risks (such as sanctions risks, bribery risks, data protection matters), fostering stakeholder relationships, and delivering pragmatic solutions in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong business acumen, possess a business partnering mindset, equipped with strong communication skills, and is naturally committed to upholding the highest ethical standards.
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The Vice President, Legal, EMEA is a member of the global law leadership team and will be expected to operate in the SATS Group as a global enterprise leader. S/he will be expected and depended upon to work cross-functionally, cross-regionally and cross-culturally and manage legal risks strategically. Success will therefore require this candidate to be a team player, a role model and a thought leader in driving organisational ambitions and plans. This role reports directly to the Chief Corporate Officer who is based in Singapore. Some travel will be expected in the initial onboarding period.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop a geographically dispersed team of legal professionals.
- Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the legal team.
Strategic Legal Advisory
- Provide expert legal counsel to senior leadership on complex corporate, commercial, compliance and regulatory matters.
- Support strategic initiatives, transactions, and risk management across multiple jurisdictions.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. Possess a keen understanding of sanctions and data protection laws, as well as familiarity with anti-bribery and EU FSR laws.
- Oversee corporate governance frameworks and advise on regulatory developments impacting the business.
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Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner with cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment to deliver pragmatic legal solutions.
- Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders, balancing legal risk with commercial objectives.
Job Requirements
Educational Qualifications:
- Law degree from a recognized and reputable university.
- Admission to practice law in a relevant jurisdiction.
- Ongoing commitment to training and professional development
Relevant Skills and Experience:
- 15–20 years of legal practice, including significant in-house experience at a leadership level.
- Proven track record in managing complex legal issues across multiple jurisdictions.
- Experience in leading and developing diverse legal teams.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS & BEHAVIOURS:
- Team Player: Collaborative and able to build strong relationships across functions and geographies.
- Adaptable & Resilient: Comfortable navigating ambiguity and change in a dynamic business environment.
- Strategic Thinker: Ability to align legal strategy with business objectives.
- Leadership: Skilled in managing and motivating a dispersed team in a matrixed organization.
- Communication: Exceptional ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly and persuasively.
Core Values
We have 5 core People Values at SATS.
- Safety: Safety – its ingrained in our DNA
- Customer Focus: Every smile is a win for us
- Respect: We strive to listen, understand and respect.
- Excellence: Excellence isn’t just a goal, it’s the SATS way.
- Teamwork: We don’t just collaborate. We amplify each other’s strengths.
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