Legal Counsel

Overview

Heights Capital Management Asia (HCM), a dynamic investment team within Susquehanna, seeks a Senior Counsel to join our Tokyo office. We offer the unique opportunity to make an impact within a nimble team backed by one of the world's largest pools of permanent capital. This is an entrepreneurial role where results are prioritized over facetime; and you will have the autonomy to leverage your resourcefulness to create efficient, effective workflows for yourself and our partners.

Company Description

HCM is an affiliate of Susquehanna, one of the world's largest privately held financial service firms. Susquehanna is a global quantitative trading firm founded by a group of friends who share a passion for game theory and probabilistic thinking. We have incorporated this approach into our culture, where you will find relentless problem solvers within each of our core disciplines: Trading, Technology, and Quantitative Research. From offices around the world, our employees collaborate to make optimal decisions and are driven by the desire to achieve winning results together.  

In this role you will

• Negotiate, execute, and monitor capital markets investments regionally, with a particular focus on Japan. Manage wall-crossing conversations, negotiate NDAs, and review deal confirmations across Asia Pacific.
• Guide all parties through Third Party Allotment processes, ensuring professional standards in transaction announcements.
• Establish precedents beneficial for future negotiations. Balance efficient deal execution now with campaigning for flexibility in the future by introducing novel concepts and language at opportune moments. 
• Spearhead long-term projects to establish new business activities and negotiate foundational trading agreements in new regions and with new counterparties in Asia Pacific.
• Collaborate with other Susquehanna legal teams and manage external law firms to execute multiple projects concurrently. Gather and disseminate intelligence on legal, regulatory, and compliance developments relevant to our business.
• Proactively leverage and expand professional network to support the sourcing of deals, facilitating key introductions, and gathering market intelligence. Promote and safeguard our brand through broader stakeholder engagement.
• Provide legal oversight to the investment team, educating on legal risks and compliance obligations. Develop efficient workflows aligned with key business objectives.
• Effectively manage resources, prioritizing high-impact activities and delegating appropriately externally and internally. Focus on judgment and decision-making that drives and protects key business outcomes.

What we’re looking for

• At least 7 years' experience as a Japan qualified lawyer at a firm involved in domestic capital markets transactions.
• Deep expertise in structured equity-linked financing, particularly in Japan. Some experience in structured equity-linked deals outside of Japan would be valued.
• Proven track record in advising on deal sourcing, negotiation, and execution while building a strong brand.
• Success in launching new products, entering new jurisdictions, or expanding investment categories.
• Demonstrated ability to support investment growth while navigating regulatory complexities.
• Skilled management of external counselors, fostering innovation and comprehensive intelligence gathering.
• Experience in enforcing rights and resolving counterparty disputes in investment contexts.

Skills and Attributes

• A pragmatic and flexible attitude, with the ability to navigate sensitive dynamics and exhibit confidence and maturity in dealing with people of different levels of seniority internally and externally and to be comfortable in a flat-hierarchical, collaborative and a multi-cultural organization.
• Exceptional project management and strategic planning abilities in dynamic environments.
• Quick comprehension of complex ideas with the capacity to develop and execute plans independently.
• Intellectual curiosity driving innovative problem-solving and continuous learning.
• Balanced confidence and humility, with openness to feedback and constructive debate.
• Proficiency in assessing risk from a business perspective, beyond purely legal considerations.
• Strong advocacy and communication skills. Adept at articulating complex concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Results-oriented mindset with a focus on discipline, professionalism, and effective time management.

What We Offer

At Heights Capital Management Asia and Susquehanna, we value strategic thinking, resourcefulness, and efficiency over excessive work hours. The group’s permanent capital structure allows us to prioritize thoughtful decision-making and achieving business outcomes.As part of our small but entrepreneurial Asia team, you will have the unique opportunity to shape investment processes, standards, and strategic direction – much like in a startup environment – while leveraging the resources and stability of one of the world's largest pools of permanent capital. If you thrive on making shrewd, impactful decisions and are driven by innovation and resourcefulness, this is your chance to excel.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds, and we welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process to ensure that you can best demonstrate your abilities.

If you're a recruiting agency and want to partner with us, please reach out to [email protected]. Any resume or referral submitted in the absence of a signed agreement will not be eligible for an agency fee.