Lead Counsel, International Employment

About the role

Lead Counsel, International Employment will serve as the senior legal advisor for Takeda’s global workforce outside the United States, with a focus on Japan and the Asia‑Pacific region. The role partners with Global HR, Regional HR leaders and senior business stakeholders to provide pragmatic employment‑law guidance and manage legal risk in a highly regulated environment.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day‑to‑day counsel on international employment matters across JAPAC, and support other regions such as EMEA and LATAM.
• Advise on complex workforce initiatives including restructurings, reductions in force, site closures, union and works‑council engagement, collective consultations and employee transfers.
• Lead employment‑law aspects of M&A, divestitures and other strategic transactions, including due‑diligence, negotiation, integration planning and post‑transaction workforce issues.
• Offer guidance on senior‑executive employment matters such as hiring, terminations, investigations, disputes and settlements.
• Collaborate with Compliance and other functions to ensure consistent application of Takeda’s values, policies and risk appetite across diverse legal systems.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in employment law, preferably with a focus on Japan and the broader Asia‑Pacific region.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and manage high‑stakes, cross‑border employment issues.
• Strong judgment, commercial mindset and excellent communication skills.
• Qualified lawyer or equivalent legal credentials.

Required skills