Head of Legal

Founded in 2017, HungryPanda is currently the largest overseas Asian food delivery platform. Starting in Nottingham, U.K., HungryPanda has expanded to more than 80 cities in 10 countries: the U.K., France, Italy, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Currently, HungryPanda works with over 80,000 riders, 100,000 merchants and serves over 6 million users worldwide.

Head of Legal, North America

Location: New York, NY (On-site)

Employment Type: Full-time

Compensation: USD $170,000–$200,000 per year

Job Summary

The Head of Legal, North America, will be responsible for overseeing all legal matters across the United States and Canada, ensuring compliance with local and federal laws, mitigating legal risks, and providing strategic legal guidance to support the company’s business objectives. This role requires a seasoned legal professional with strong leadership skills, deep expertise in commercial and transactional law, litigation management, and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managing complex legal issues, leading high-performing legal teams, and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to drive business success. Bilingual proficiency in English and Mandarin is required to effectively communicate with global stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Strategy and Leadership

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the North American leadership team, providing strategic guidance on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters across the U.S. and Canada.
• Develop and implement the legal strategy for North America, aligning with the company’s global objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of legal professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Commercial and Transactional Matters

• Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of a wide range of commercial agreements, including merchant agreements, advertising agreements, partnership agreements, vendor contracts, and terms of use.
• Ensure all agreements align with the company’s risk tolerance and business goals.
• Provide guidance on complex commercial and transactional matters, leveraging a solid understanding of contractual principles and industry best practices.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

• Lead the formulation and execution of litigation strategies, including managing external counsel and coordinating with internal teams to gather and prepare litigation materials.
• Oversee internal compliance matters related to litigation, including product compliance, operational compliance, and HR-related legal issues.
• Manage and resolve disputes efficiently to minimize legal and reputational risks.

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

• Monitor and analyze changes in laws and regulations across the U.S. and Canada, ensuring the company’s operations remain compliant.
• Design and implement compliance programs to reduce litigation risks and enhance the company’s legal posture.
• Regularly review and update the company’s major agreements, templates, and external policies to mitigate legal exposure.

Government Investigations and Labor Matters

• Lead the company’s response to government investigations, ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Provide expert guidance on labor and employment matters, particularly in food delivery.
• Collaborate with HR and other departments to address labor-related legal challenges.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with internal stakeholders, including business development, operations, HR, and finance, to provide legal support and ensure alignment with company objectives.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, offering proactive legal insights to support decision-making.
• Facilitate communication with global stakeholders, including those in Mandarin-speaking regions, to ensure alignment on legal and compliance matters.

Requirements

Education and Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Laws (LLM) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar or eligibility to register as in-house counsel in the U.S.

Experience