Legal Counsel

Overview

About the Role & Team IDC, the technology intelligence layer of the AI economy and a trusted global leader in research and data for more than 60 years, is looking for a Legal Counsel to serve as the primary legal point of contact for our China business and our APAC sales organization more broadly. Based in Beijing and reporting to the Deputy General Counsel sitting in the United States, this person will provide hands-on, on-the-ground commercial, regulatory, and operational legal support to the China team, coordinating closely with Sales, Finance, HR, Compliance, and other functions across the globe. This is a high-visibility opportunity for a senior, PRC-qualified lawyer who wants ownership of day-to-day regional legal support inside a fast-moving global organization, while partnering with global Legal, Compliance, Privacy, Employment, and other subject-matter experts on specialized matters. The role has a direct reporting line into Legal and no dotted-line reporting outside the function, and requires independent judgment and the confidence to provide clear, principled advice even when local stakeholders may prefer a different outcome. This is an individual contributor role. The Legal Counsel will be the sole dedicated legal resource in China, reporting directly into U.S.-based Legal leadership and operating as part of IDC's broader global Legal team

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the primary, on-the-ground point of contact for legal matters affecting IDC's China operations and the APAC sales team, providing responsive, practical, business-forward advice and coordinating with global subject-matter experts as appropriate.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements for the China and broader APAC business, including customer contracts, vendor agreements, and data-related agreements, negotiating directly with counterparties as needed.
• Advise on AI-related matters affecting IDC's China and APAC business, including business initiatives, IDC offerings, internal use of AI, customer and vendor terms, data use, intellectual property, responsible AI governance, and applicable PRC regulatory requirements, in coordination with global Legal, Privacy, Compliance, Product, and other subject-matter experts as appropriate.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, HR, Compliance, and Business Operations in China and across APAC to spot legal risk early and keep deals and initiatives moving.
• Provide first-line, on-the-ground advice on PRC commercial, employment, data protection (PIPL),  matters anti-bribery/anti-corruption ,and other regulatory compliance issues, while promptly involving the appropriate global Legal, Compliance, Privacy, Employment, or other subject-matter experts on specialized, novel, sensitive, or high-risk matters.
• Manage and instruct outside counsel in China and other APAC jurisdictions as needed, including budget oversight. Support the management of commercial disputes, claims, and internal investigations involving China, coordinating promptly with global Legal, Compliance, HR, and outside counsel as appropriate.
• Support the identification and prosecution of infringement of IDC's intellectual property rights in China and across APAC, coordinating with global Legal, outside counsel, and relevant business stakeholders as appropriate. Partner with the global Legal team on cross-border projects, policy rollouts, and contract template standardization. IDC operates globally from standard common-law-style company forms used across jurisdictions and client types; the Legal Counsel will work from and help maintain these templates. When clients propose region-specific edits, the Legal Counsel must be able to evaluate those requests against IDC's legal playbooks and company policies, negotiate appropriately, and escalate where necessary.
• Develop and deliver practical training and guidance for China and APAC stakeholders on contracts, data protection, AI, compliance, and other recurring legal topics, in coordination with relevant global subject-matter experts. Monitor legal and regulatory developments in China and APAC relevant to IDC's business and proactively flag changes that affect the business.
• Coordinate timely, accurate, and appropriately scoped responses to routine inquiries from government agencies, regulators, and other authorities in China, in consultation with global Legal, Compliance, Privacy, and other relevant subject-matter experts and outside counsel as appropriate.

What You Bring

• PRC legal qualification (admitted to practice law in mainland China).
• 8–12 years of relevant legal experience, including significant in-house or law firm experience supporting commercial or sales organizations.
• Fluency in Mandarin and English, written and spoken.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating commercial contracts and advising sales teams directly.
• Working knowledge of PRC corporate, commercial, employment, and data protection law (PIPL).
• Experience advising on AI-related legal, regulatory, or governance matters, including responsible AI frameworks or emerging technology regulations. .
• Familiarity with responding to inquiries from government agencies, regulators, or other authorities in China.
• Experience supporting or managing commercial disputes, claims, or internal investigations, including coordination with outside counsel.
• Familiarity with common-law-style commercial contracts and drafting conventions
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound business judgment, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills; comfortable reporting to Legal leadership in the United States, advising stakeholders at all levels, and maintaining independent legal judgment without a formal reporting relationship into the local business.

Qualifications — Preferred

• Experience in a multinational technology, media, data, or market research company.
• Experience supporting APAC markets beyond China.
• Familiarity with contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools.

Why This Role Stands Out At IDC, your work helps shape how the world understands technology and where it goes next. You collaborate with curious, high-caliber colleagues who value rigor, integrity, and shared success. As the premier global provider of trusted technology intelligence, IDC equips business and technology leaders with the evidence they need to make confident decisions. Our insights inform strategy, investment, and innovation across industries and regions.

Recognized by IIAR as Analyst Firm of the Year for five consecutive years, IDC sets the standard for credibility and impact. With more than 1,000 analysts worldwide and a truly global perspective, we combine deep expertise with practical relevance. Here, your ideas matter, your voice is heard, and your contributions provide the insights leaders rely on every day. It is meaningful work, backed by a culture that supports growth, collaboration, and long-term career development with a globally respected brand.

What We Offer

• Individualized Culture: An environment where you can explore new areas outside your specialty and stay engaged with work you enjoy.

• Hybrid Working: Hybrid working with 4 days in office per week required.

• Time-off and holidays: On top of your statutory holiday allowance and public holidays, IDC grants annually review company–wide closures on 19 August (Unplug Day) and 26 December – 1 January inclusive (Global Shutdown) and a volunteering day.

• A position in a highly professional and globally respected market research and advisory firm, where initiative leading to results is rewarded.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IDC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. Employment eligibility verification required. We participate in E-Verify.

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