Legal & Compliance Counsel

About the role

To help Decathlon thrive in an increasingly complex, competitive, and regulated world, we are looking for a Legal & Compliance Counsel to lead our Legal & Compliance function with vision, expertise, and purpose.

This pivotal role ensures our business operates in full compliance with evolving laws while proactively turning challenges into strategic opportunities. As a trusted advisor to the executive team, you will manage a broad scope—including Corporate Secretarial, Wholesale, and Commercial law —safeguarding the company’s integrity and enabling sustainable business growth.

Responsibilities

• Commercial & Wholesale Law: Provide expert guidance and review commercial contracts, with a specific focus on supporting our wholesale business operations and supplier partnerships.
• Corporate Governance & Secretarial: Oversee the company’s legal affairs, manage corporate secretarial duties , and ensure robust governance practices are maintained.
• Ethics & Compliance: Drive a strong culture of integrity. Implement and manage the Code of Conduct and ensure adherence to all internal policies and external regulations.
• Data Privacy & Digital: Partner with the IT team to ensure compliance with Data Privacy laws , particularly regarding digital environments and customer data.
• Legal Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate risks across all operations, including sustainability compliance and legal audits.
• Competition Law: Ensure compliance with advertising regulations and fair trade practices in marketing and commercial communications.
• Negotiation: Lead complex contract negotiations with external partners, suppliers, and regulatory bodies (coordinating with external firms as needed).

Requirements

Must-Haves:

• Language: Native-level Japanese and English Fluency (both written and spoken).

• Experience: At least 3–5 years of professional experience in an in-house legal department or a law firm .

• Proven experience within the Wholesale business sector.

• Certified Lawyer

• Core Competencies:

• Strong background in Corporate and Corporate Secretarial law .

• Deep understanding of Compliance frameworks (Code of Conduct, Privacy Law).

• Expertise in drafting and reviewing commercial contracts .

• Excellent computing skills, specifically in Microsoft Office

Bonus / Better-to-Have:

• Experience in Digital and E-commerce law .
• Familiarity with Employment Law .
• Previous experience working within a foreign-affiliated company .

Profile & Culture

• Sports Enthusiast: You love sports! We do sports as much as possible, whenever possible, and wherever possible.
• Problem Solver: You are naturally curious and possess strong analytical skills to solve complex issues.
• Dynamic: You are enthusiastic and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment.
• Detail-Oriented: You are highly organized, with a relentless focus on accuracy and detail.