Group Transactional and Commercial Counsel
NetEase · Hong Kong
About the Company:
NetEase, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTES and HKEX: 9999) is a global powerhouse in the Internet and video game industry, with a market capitalization of $70+ billion and more than 25,000 employees worldwide. The NetEase group encompasses a range of innovative businesses centered around content creation, including:
- NetEase Games, one of the largest and most renowned game developers worldwide by size, revenue and game offerings. Over the years, NetEase Games has focused on developing high quality content and providing the best experience for gamers around the world;
- Youdao (NYSE: DAO), a majority-controlled subsidiary of NetEase, Inc. and China’s leading technology-focused intelligent learning company;
- Cloud Music (HKEX: 9899), a majority-controlled subsidiary of NetEase, Inc. and China’s leading online music content community;
- Yanxuan, NetEase’s private label consumer lifestyle brand; and
- Other innovative businesses, including, among others, an online payment platform and to-B technology solutions.
About this Role:
This is your chance to have a critical impact at a dynamic gaming company in the midst of an exciting globalization journey. You'll be joining the Group International Legal Department which oversees legal matters for the NetEase group and coordinates with the legal teams within each division of the group.
We are looking for a talented Group Transactional and Commercial Counsel. In this leadership role, you will be advising on a dynamic range of M&A, investments and divestments across multiple jurisdictions, and technology, media and telecom and general commercial matters at the highest international standards, including licensing, outsourcing, software technology development and professional services agreements, innovative FinTech projects, regulatory matters and cross-border technology transfers.
This position will report to the General Counsel of NetEase, Inc.
NetEase operates in multiple countries globally, and this role is primarily responsible for:
Corporate Transactions
- Lead deal execution on a wide range of corporate transactions, including structuring, drafting, and negotiating transaction documents for acquisitions, disposals, minority investments, fund investments, financing transactions and joint ventures across multiple jurisdictions.
- Assess and advise senior stakeholders on legal, regulatory, and commercial risks relating to corporate transactions.
- Navigate regulatory approvals including antitrust, foreign investment clearances, and securities law requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
- Work with legal team to provide end-to-end transaction support, including structuring, due diligence, drafting, negotiation, and completion.
- Coordinate closely with internal business teams (e.g., senior management of business units and the NetEase group, business development, finance, tax, etc.) on all aspects of transactions.
- Provide legal support on post-transaction monitoring and corporate governance matters.
Commercial Contract Management & TMT Advisory
- Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of TMT and other commercial agreements for the NetEase group and individual business units across multiple jurisdictions.
- Provide thought leadership regarding the legal and regulatory aspects of projects involving cutting-edge technologies such as Web3, blockchain, AI, tokenization, online payment systems, AI, etc.
- Advise on TMT related policies and procedures, including terms of use and custody and trust arrangements.
- Keep up-to-date with the most recent technology legal and business developments and continue to develop relevant knowledge within the sectors in which the NetEase group operates.
- Support NetEase group's corporate functions (finance, tax, procurement, IT, corporate secretarial, corporate M&A/ JV, global investments, HR, treasury and others), including daily contract reviews, in-house advisory and commercial disputes.
- Establish contract standards and templates to streamline the review process for everyday commercial agreements across business units.
Core Competencies
- Lead and mentor a high-performing team of legal counsel, fostering a collaborative, business-oriented legal culture, and work closely with other legal specialists within the NetEase group.
- Provide training to the wider legal & internal control functions, business partners and executive leadership.
- Select, manage and coordinate external counsel and advisors across different jurisdictions to ensure high-quality, cost-effective representation.
- Ability to bridge international deals using high-level Mandarin and English language skills to review and negotiate bilingual transaction and commercial documents.
Qualifications:
- Admitted and licensed attorney in U.S., Hong Kong, Singapore or another major common-law jurisdiction with 8+ years relevant post-qualification experience working in well-regarded law firms and/or in-house legal teams; in-house experience preferred.
- Ability to lead, manage and motivate team members located in multiple jurisdictions.
- Self-starter and able to navigate various stakeholders/ businesses operating in different sectors and jurisdictions.
- Excellent transactional training.
- Expertise with TMT laws, regulations and industry best practices across different regions, including an understanding of emerging trends such as in the areas of FinTech/blockchain, money transmission, AI, online game regulation and digital infrastructure.
- Strong drafting, negotiating and problem-solving skills and the ability to manage complex issues and deal structures.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the flexibility and cultural sensitivity to bring different perspectives together and work through competing priorities.
- Demonstrated leadership abilities, including the ability to influence and drive change within the organization.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed decisions in complex situations.
- Experienced in managing outside counsel.
- Comfortable working with a geographically dispersed team.
- High-level proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and English is a must.
- Preferred Location: Hong Kong, Singapore or another Asia-Pacific hub; U.S., Canada or other locations considered for exceptional candidates.
Fair Employment Practices
At NetEase, we are committed to fair employment practices. We welcome applications from all individuals, irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, marital status and family responsibilities, or disability.