Regional Operations Director

About the Client

Our client is an established international legal advisory company with over 25 years of experience in trust law,

international estate planning, and cross-border fiduciary governance. With a strong client base that includes high-networth individuals, global families, and institutional clients, the company also advises governments on legal frameworks and policy development, including the drafting of trust-related legislation.

The company operates across 16+ jurisdictions and has recently established its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore, from which it manages operations across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and the broader region.

This position plays a central role in driving business continuity, operational scale, and strategic delivery across its international portfolio.

About the Role

We are seeking a Regional Operations Director to lead and oversee operations across our business ventures within the APAC region extending to Australia and New Zealand territories. The role requires an experienced operations professional with a strong background in trust law, fiduciary services, or international estate planning.

This individual will bring a commercial, structured, and forward-thinking approach to managing operations across

multiple jurisdictions, supporting cross-functional teams, partnership networks, and strategic business initiatives. The role requires someone who can confidently coordinate internal and external stakeholders, ensure regulatory alignment, and support the execution of the company’s growth agenda.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Operations Oversight:

• Manage day-to-day regional operations, ensuring business functions are aligned with company objectives

• Lead the planning and implementation of process improvements and infrastructure development

• Support office establishment and legal service readiness in new and existing jurisdictions Multi-Jurisdictional
  

Compliance & Risk:

• Ensure regulatory compliance with trust laws, employment legislation, tax reporting, and data governance across all regions

• Monitor internal governance frameworks and ensure execution of company-wide compliance practices

• Work with regulatory authorities, legal advisors, and compliance consultants to uphold internal standards

Legal Practice Administration & Client Coordination:

• Coordinate internal administrative processes including client onboarding, workflow tracking, and confidential project execution

• Support legal professionals with delivery logistics, policy updates, and jurisdictional intelligence

• Maintain service consistency across jurisdictions, ensuring high-value client expectations are met
  

Business Enablement & Strategic Partnership Execution:

• Manage regional and international partnerships, joint ventures, and external collaborations

• Coordinate seminars, training programmes, and external representation at conferences and professional events

• Liaise with institutional stakeholders and partner companys to align cross-functional service delivery
  

Marketing & Communications Oversight:

• Oversee regional brand management, digital content, and company communications

• Support the development of strategic marketing initiatives and jurisdictional positioning

• Manage knowledge content, seminar materials, and publication outreach
  

Financial Oversight:

• Collaborate with finance teams on billing structures, budgets, and operational cost management

• Ensure pricing models align with service delivery expectations across regions

• Monitor administrative expenses, cost optimisation, and internal financial planning
  

Team Leadership & People Development:

• Lead regional administrative, HR, and operational support staff

• Manage onboarding, mentoring, and capacity planning

• Conduct bi-annual performance reviews, set SMART objectives, and lead annual appraisal processes
  

Who We Are Looking For:

We are looking for a strategic and execution-focused operations leader with a solid track record in managing complex, multi-jurisdictional operations within the trust law, fiduciary, or international legal advisory space.

You will be confident working across internal business functions while supporting legal teams and external stakeholders in delivering operational excellence. You have experience navigating the regulatory, compliance, and administrative demands of cross-border operations in jurisdictions such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.

The ideal candidate brings both commercial insight and organisational discipline, capable of leading teams, implementing company-wide processes, and supporting client delivery and growth strategies. You understand the nuances of trust & foundation law operations and the importance of alignment between legal frameworks, operational systems, and client service models.

Candidate Requirements:

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in operations, general management, or business administration, with essential

experience in the trust, fiduciary, or international estate planning sector.

• Demonstrated capability in managing cross-border operations, including entity setup, legal compliance, and

governance across APAC, particularly in Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.

• Experience in business enablement, including partnership management, joint venture coordination, and support

for client-facing legal or consulting initiatives.

• Proven history in overseeing internal operations across legal practice administration, marketing, finance, HR, and

governance functions.

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to coordinate across internal teams, high-value clients,

consultants, and government or institutional partners.

• Exposure to legislative advisory, policy development, or legal education initiatives is advantageous.

• Commercially aware with strong planning and budgeting experience related to service delivery and operational

efficiency.

• Excellent project execution, communication, and reporting skills; comfortable operating at senior leadership and

board level

• A degree in Law, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field; postgraduate qualifications in trust, estate planning, or legal administration are an advantage.

• A strong command of English is essential due to the nature of our regional portfolios. While not mandatory,

proficiency in Cantonese or Mandarin is advantageous given our engagement with Hong Kong-based clients.

Remuneration & Benefits:

• Competitive salary

• Annual performance bonus

• 25 days annual leave

• Company healthcare and insurance coverage

• CPF contributions (where applicable)

• Reimbursable business expenses

• Paid statutory leave (sick, hospitalisation, maternity/paternity, childcare)

• Career progression path to Group Operations Director within 4–5 years

• Potential for equity/shareholding based on performance and seniority
  

Note: Benefits are in accordance with MOM regulations and may vary based on an individual's citizenship or residency status.

Forward Motion Pte Ltd

EA Licence: 19S9698

CEI/KAH Licence No:R1548541