Head of Legal, APAC
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Work Mode: Hybrid
Employment type: Permanent
Proficiency in Chinese (Reading & Writing) is mandatory, as this role coordinates with China and Taiwan and reviews legal documents in Chinese.
Our client is a global technology service provider that focuses on delivering innovative managed services across cloud, connectivity, collaboration, and security. With a strong commitment to sustainable outcomes, they empower organisations to optimise operations and enhance cybersecurity in a digital-first world. Their extensive presence spans multiple countries, allowing them to serve a diverse range of industries effectively.
We are seeking an experienced Head of Legal, APAC to lead the legal function across the Asia-Pacific region, delivering strategic, commercial, and operational legal support to the business.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage all legal matters across the APAC region, ensuring alignment with global legal strategy and regional business objectives.
- Provide strategic legal advice to senior management on regulatory, commercial, corporate, employment, and data protection matters.
- Oversee the review, drafting, and negotiation of complex commercial contracts, tenders, and strategic partnerships, ensuring appropriate risk allocation and compliance with data privacy requirements.
- Support major bids, investments, and business expansion initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and market entry strategies.
- Establish and drive legal and compliance risk management frameworks, identifying key risks and implementing mitigation strategies.
- Serve as the Regional Data Protection Officer (DPO) for key Asian jurisdictions, overseeing data handling, privacy compliance, and regulatory reporting.
- Lead data protection and privacy compliance across Asia, including policy development, cross-border data transfers, breach response, DPO registrations, and regulatory alignment.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, data privacy requirements, and internal governance policies across all APAC jurisdictions.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve legal, compliance, and data governance policies, processes, and controls.
- Manage external legal counsel across multiple countries, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality legal support.
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, providing proactive legal, risk-based, and data privacy guidance.
- Partner with business and technology teams on cybersecurity, data governance, incident response, and DPO-mandated audits from a legal perspective.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the regional legal team, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
- Support corporate governance activities, including board matters, company secretarial requirements, and regulatory filings.
- Represent the company in negotiations, disputes, regulatory engagements, and interactions with relevant data protection authorities and external stakeholders.
Requirements
Must-have:
- Qualified lawyer with a Degree in Law or equivalent.
- Admission to practise in a relevant jurisdiction is preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years relevant legal experience, preferably within regional or multinational organisations.
- Proficiency in Chinese (Reading & Writing) is mandatory, as this role coordinates with China and Taiwan and reviews legal documents in Chinese.
- Strong background in commercial law, contract management, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and data protection/privacy laws.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic, commercially focused legal advice and influence senior stakeholders.
- Proven experience managing complex negotiations, high-value commercial contracts, cross-border transactions, and data privacy programmes.
- Strong understanding of enterprise risk management, compliance frameworks, and DPO responsibilities.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities.
- High level of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgement.
Nice-to-have:
- Experience serving as, or supporting, a Data Protection Officer (DPO).
- Experience with APAC data protection frameworks, including Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
- Prior experience within the ICT or technology industry.
- Proficiency in Chinese beyond the mandatory requirements.
- Experience supporting or leading legal matters in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, and market entry strategies.
Why Join Us
- Join a global technology services provider at the forefront of digital transformation, where your expertise will shape business strategy and drive innovation across the APAC region.
- Work alongside industry leaders, influence key decisions, and contribute to the long-term success of a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation.
Apply Now: https://www.careers-page.com/oxy/job/W347Y94W
