Legal Manager

About the Role

The Legal Manager is responsible to provide legal and contractual support for the Company's property management and operations, with a primary focus on project and procurement contracts, operational matters, leasing and tenancy agreements, and debt recovery. The role will be responsible for reviewing contractual documents, identifying legal and commercial risks, supporting dispute resolution, and coordinating with external solicitors to protect the Company's interests and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Key Responsibilities

A. Property Management, Procurement and Operational Matters

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage procurement contracts, service agreements, maintenance contracts, vendor agreements, and other commercial contracts relating to property management operations.
• Review contractual terms and conditions to identify potential legal, financial, and operational risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Provide contractual advice to internal stakeholders on procurement, vendor management, property maintenance, facilities management, and operational matters.
• Review and advise on contractual disputes, service deficiencies, breaches of contract, indemnities, warranties, and liability issues involving vendors, contractors, and service providers.
• Assist internal departments in resolving contractual issues and managing claims arising from property management and operational activities.
• Develop, review, and maintain standard contract templates, legal documents, and contractual procedures to promote consistency and minimise legal risks.
• Ensure proper documentation, execution, renewal, and record-keeping of contracts in accordance with Company policies and procedures.

B. Tenancy Agreements and Leasing Matters

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage tenancy agreements, lease agreements, lease renewals, addendums, and other leasing-related documentation.
• Review tenancy terms and conditions to ensure the Company's commercial interests are adequately protected.
• Advise internal stakeholders on tenancy obligations, lease interpretation, breaches of tenancy agreements, early termination, reinstatement obligations, and other lease-related matters.
• Review and prepare tenancy-related notices, letters of demand, termination notices, and other formal correspondence, where appropriate.
• Support the resolution of tenancy disputes involving rental payments, contractual breaches, property damage, and other landlord-tenant matters.
• Work closely with the Leasing, Lease Management, Operations, and Finance teams to address contractual issues and ensure compliance with tenancy agreements.
• Maintain proper records of tenancy agreements, amendments, renewals, and related legal documentation.

C. Debt Recovery and Outstanding Payments

• Review outstanding debt cases and recommend appropriate recovery strategies based on contractual terms and the circumstances of each case.
• Prepare, review, and issue letters of demand and other debt recovery correspondence, where appropriate.
• Liaise with internal departments to obtain supporting documents, verify outstanding amounts, and ensure timely follow-up on overdue accounts.
• Coordinate settlement negotiations, payment arrangements, and other recovery efforts with debtors and relevant stakeholders.
• Assess cases requiring escalation to external solicitors or formal legal proceedings and make recommendations to Management.
• Monitor the progress of recovery cases, maintain accurate records, and provide periodic updates on outstanding debts and recovery outcomes.

D. Liaison with External Solicitors

• Liaise with external solicitors on contractual disputes, debt recovery, tenancy matters, litigation, and other legal matters requiring external legal support.
• Prepare and provide relevant documents, correspondence, and supporting information to external solicitors.
• Monitor the progress of legal cases, key deadlines, legal fees, and case developments.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders to facilitate timely responses and provide necessary information for legal proceedings.
• Review legal advice and recommendations received from external solicitors and communicate relevant implications to Management and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain proper records of legal correspondence, case files, legal expenses, and settlement documentation.

Education and Qualifications

• Degree in Law (LLB) or a relevant legal qualification.
• Candidates must possess the qualifications and practising status required for any duties involving reserved legal activities, where applicable.

Working Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in legal, contractual, or commercial matters.
• Candidates with relevant real estate experience in commercial contract management, property & facilities management, tenancy matters, or debt recovery will be preferred.
• Practical experience in contract drafting, review, negotiation, and dispute management.
• Experience handling debt recovery matters and liaising with external solicitors.
• Familiarity with Singapore's legal and regulatory environment relevant to property management and commercial contracts.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters independently and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to exercise sound judgement.
• Ability to communicate contractual and legal issues clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.