Legal Counsel at Tardis Group (Singapore)

The legal job market in Singapore continues to offer exceptional opportunities for funds and corporate lawyers, and the newly posted Legal Counsel role at Tardis Group is a prime illustration of how the city-state has become the preferred hub for fund formation and investment management work in Asia. Tardis Group, a recruiting and advisory firm active in the region, is seeking a mid-to-senior level lawyer to join its team in Singapore. This full-time position sits at the intersection of fund structuring, corporate commercial work, and business partnering, making it an ideal career move for lawyers with around four to seven years of post-qualification experience (PQE) who are ready to take ownership of complex cross-border matters.

Inside the Role: Fund Formation and VCC Mastery

The core of this Legal Counsel role is fund formation and structuring, with a particular emphasis on Variable Capital Companies (VCCs). Singapore introduced the VCC framework to position itself as a leading jurisdiction for investment funds, and lawyers who can navigate the VCC regime are in high demand. As Legal Counsel, you will lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of fund establishment and constitutive documents, taking a hands-on role from inception through launch and ongoing maintenance. This is not a role for someone who prefers to remain in the background; you will be expected to own the legal workstreams and collaborate directly with investment, operations, and management teams.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will span the full lifecycle of a fund and its management company:

• Preparing and negotiating subscription agreements, side letters, investor onboarding documentation, and disclosure materials.
• Drafting and reviewing vendor, service, technology, and data agreements, NDAs, intellectual property arrangements, and other commercial contracts.
• Supporting the incorporation and ongoing maintenance of fund and management company entities, including overseas office setup and coordination with corporate secretarial service providers.
• Preparing and maintaining template employment agreements and advising on day-to-day employment matters across multiple jurisdictions.
• Working alongside the Compliance function on the legal interpretation of regulatory requirements affecting fund operations and licensing.
• Instructing and managing external counsel on specialist and cross-border matters, as well as helping manage legal spend.

This is a broad and varied remit. The successful candidate will be a true business partner who can translate legal risk into practical, executable guidance. The job description specifically asks for someone commercially minded and solutions-oriented, signaling that the role is as much about enabling business as it is about mitigating risk.

Who Should Apply? Decoding the Tardis Group Wishlist

Tardis Group has outlined a clear set of eligibility criteria. The ideal candidate is a qualified lawyer admitted in Singapore, Hong Kong, or a comparable common law jurisdiction, with approximately four to seven years of PQE. Substantive experience in funds and investment management legal work is essential, and hands-on fund formation experience is non-negotiable—especially the establishment and structuring of Singapore VCCs. Familiarity with comparable vehicles such as Cayman funds or Hong Kong OFCs is an advantage, as is experience gained in-house at an asset or fund manager, or in a funds practice at a reputable law firm.

“Provide pragmatic, commercially grounded legal advice to the investment, operations and management teams.”

In addition to technical expertise, the role demands excellent drafting and negotiation skills, the ability to manage multiple workstreams independently, and the capacity to onboard quickly and operate with limited supervision. Cross-border exposure in markets such as China, India, or the Middle East is a preferred skill, reflecting the international nature of the firm’s client base and the importance of markets like India for the asset management industry.

For Indian lawyers, this is a particularly interesting opportunity. While the role requires admission in a common law jurisdiction, Indian attorneys with strong funds exposure and experience working on cross-border transactions may be competitive if they have been admitted as solicitors or equivalent in a recognized jurisdiction. The preference for cross-border exposure in India is a direct signal that Tardis Group values lawyers who understand the Indian regulatory and commercial landscape.

Why This Legal Counsel Role in Singapore Matters

Singapore has solidified its position as Asia’s premier fund domicile. The VCC framework, which was introduced in 2020 and has been enhanced since, offers fund managers flexibility in structure, tax benefits, and ease of distribution. As more global and regional asset managers establish their funds in Singapore, the demand for legal counsel who can handle VCC formation, regulatory compliance, and cross-border structuring has skyrocketed. This role places you at the center of that growth, giving you exposure to sophisticated fund work that is both intellectually challenging and commercially significant.

Moreover, the role is not limited to funds. The duties include corporate and commercial contracting, entity management, employment law, and regulatory-adjacent support. This breadth means the successful candidate will build a versatile skill set that is highly transferable. In-house legal roles in Singapore are well compensated, and this position offers the stability of a full-time arrangement with a recruiting and advisory group that works with top-tier financial services clients.

Charting Your Path to a Funds Law Career

If you are considering applying, or if you are aiming to position yourself for similar roles in the future, here are some strategic steps to enhance your profile:

• Master the VCC regime: Beyond reading the Variable Capital Companies Act, understand how VCCs function in practice—how they are structured, the role of the manager, the duties of directors, and the interplay with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) regulations.
• Develop commercial drafting skills: The role emphasizes drafting and negotiation, so focus on producing clear, practical documents that address business realities. Familiarize yourself with subscription agreements, side letters, and limited partnership agreements.
• Build cross-border knowledge: A key advantage is understanding India, China, or the Middle East. If you come from one of these jurisdictions, highlight your local expertise in your application. If not, invest in learning about fund distribution and regulatory frameworks in these markets.
• Show in-house mindset: The job description repeatedly mentions being commercially minded and able to operate with limited supervision. Use examples from your experience where you have provided practical legal advice that helped a business decision, rather than merely flagging risks.
• Leverage your network: Tiffany Kim, Senior Recruitment Consultant at Tardis Group, is the direct poster for this role. Engaging with her on LinkedIn or reaching out for an introduction can help you stand out, provided your profile aligns with the requirements.

Application Strategy and Next Steps

The deadline is not specified, and the posting is fresh—noting it was posted “2 days ago” on LinkedIn and that candidates should apply quickly to be among the first 25 applicants. Since this is a LinkedIn job listing, the primary application route is through the platform. Search for “Legal Counsel at Tardis Group” on LinkedIn and click the Apply button. Ensure your resume highlights your PQE, fund formation experience (especially VCCs), and any relevant cross-border matters. A tailored cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and the Singapore funds landscape will make your application competitive.

Do not wait for a deadline that may never come. In competitive markets, positions like this are often filled on a rolling basis, and the first 25 applicants are explicitly prioritized. Prepare your documents, research Tardis Group and its recent placements, and submit your application as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Variable Capital Company (VCC) and why is it important?

A VCC is a legal vehicle introduced by Singapore’s Variable Capital Companies Act 2018, designed specifically for investment funds. It offers flexibility in capital raising and redemption, tax advantages, and the ability to operate as a single entity with multiple sub-funds. For this role, experience with VCCs is essential because the fund manager will rely on you to structure and maintain these vehicles in compliance with local regulations.

Can Indian lawyers apply for this role?

Yes, in theory, provided they are qualified lawyers admitted in Singapore, Hong Kong, or a comparable common law jurisdiction. Indian lawyers who have completed conversion courses or have been admitted as solicitors in another common law jurisdiction can meet the requirement. The role also prefers cross-border exposure in India, so Indian candidates with strong funds experience are encouraged to apply if their qualifications align.

What is the ideal PQE range for this position?

Tardis Group is looking for approximately 4–7 years of post-qualification experience. This range suggests a candidate who is senior enough to handle complex fund formation independently but still flexible enough to grow within the role. If you have slightly less or more experience, you can still apply if you have exceptional funds expertise and relevant skills.

What are the most critical skills to highlight in my application?

Hands-on VCC formation experience is the number one priority. Beyond that, emphasize your drafting and negotiation capabilities, your experience with subscription agreements and investor documentation, and your ability to provide commercially grounded advice. If you have in-house experience at an asset manager or fund practice, make sure it is visible. Finally, cross-border knowledge of markets like India, China, or the Middle East will give you a significant edge.