About the client
Our client is a newly established investment management firm based in Kuala Lumpur focused on real estate private equity opportunities. The firm is founded by experienced investment professionals and is currently building its core team and operational platform as it prepares to deploy capital and scale its investment activities.
The platform focuses on sourcing, structuring, and managing real estate investment opportunities, with a disciplined approach to asset selection and long term value creation. As an emerging investment manager, the firm operates with a lean and entrepreneurial structure where team members are expected to take ownership, work independently, and contribute across multiple areas of the business.
Role Summary
The Legal & Compliance Manager will serve as the firm's key compliance officer
while also supporting legal and regulatory matters across the investment platform.
This role is critical in ensuring the firm operates in line with Malaysian regulatory
expectations for investment and fund management businesses.
This is a hands-on role suited to a commercially minded legal professional
comfortable working in a lean, fast-growing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Compliance
- Act as the designated Compliance Officer for the firm
- Develop and implement compliance frameworks, policies, and monitoring programs
- Ensure adherence to Malaysian regulatory requirements relevant to investment management activities
- Monitor regulatory developments and advise management on implications
- Maintain compliance registers, filings, and reporting obligations
- Support internal compliance reviews and audits
- Lead regulatory engagement and correspondence with regulatory bodies such as SC Malaysia, Bank Negara, and LFSA.
- Design and deliver compliance training programs to staff, embedding awareness across the firm.
Legal Support
- Review and draft commercial agreements, NDAs, and vendor contracts
- Support fund and investment documentation alongside external counsel
- Assist with corporate governance and board documentation
- Coordinate with external legal advisors on transactions and regulatory matters
Risk and Governance
- Establish internal policies and procedures appropriate for a regulated investment environment
- Support KYC, AML, and background screening processes
- Provide guidance to management on compliance best practices
- Assist in building a strong governance culture from early stage
- Oversee data protection, PDPA compliance, and cybersecurity governance.
- Lead incident management and remediation in case of compliance breaches.
Requirements
- 7+ years of legal and/or compliance experience
- Prior experience in asset management, private equity/Investments, fund management, or financial services is strongly preferred
- Solid understanding of Malaysian regulatory environment for investment firms
- Experience acting as or supporting a Compliance Officer function is advantageous
- Ability to operate independently in a lean team environment
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
Education
- Law degree (LLB or equivalent)
- Admission to the Malaysian Bar is preferred but not mandatory
- Relevant compliance certifications are a plus
Preferred Profile
- Experience in emerging fund managers or boutique investment firms
- Exposure to real estate investment structures
- Practical, commercially minded approach
- Comfortable balancing legal and compliance responsibilities
