Regional Corporate Legal Counsel

Role Overview

We are seeking a versatile and commercially-minded Regional Corporate Legal Counsel to join our team in Kuala Lumpur. This role serves as a strategic legal partner for our operations across Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan. You will be responsible for providing robust legal advice on general corporate matters, commercial contracts, and employment law, while coordinating with both internal stakeholders and external legal partners across these jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Regional Corporate Governance & Compliance

• Oversee corporate secretarial matters and regulatory filings for subsidiaries in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan, ensuring adherence to local Companies Acts and statutory obligations.

• Advise on regional corporate restructuring, joint ventures, and market entry strategies within Southeast Asia and East Asia.

• Implement and monitor cross-border compliance frameworks, including Anti-Bribery & Corruption (MACC Act Section 17A equivalent) and regional Data Privacy (PDPA/GDPR-equivalent) standards.

2. Commercial & Business Legal (Regional)

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of regional commercial agreements, including cross-border distribution, vendor contracts, and licensing agreements.

• Standardize legal templates and Playbooks across the regional offices to ensure consistency in risk management.

• Provide pragmatic legal solutions for business units to achieve commercial objectives while mitigating risks unique to each specific market.

3. Employment & Industrial Relations (IR)

• Act as the subject matter expert on the Malaysia Employment Act 1955 and provide high-level oversight for labor law compliance in regional offices.

• Guide HR teams in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan on local employment practices, including contract drafting, disciplinary actions, and terminations.

• Manage sensitive Industrial Relations issues and minimize regional litigation risks.

4. External Counsel & Internal Stakeholder Management

• External Management: Source, appoint, and manage the performance of external legal firms and panel lawyers across the five jurisdictions. Monitor legal budgets and ensure cost-effective service delivery.

• Internal Collaboration: Work closely with the Regional C-Suite, Finance, and HR departments based in KL and regional hubs to provide seamless legal support for business operations.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from a recognized university.

• Professional Qualification: Called to the Malaysian Bar (Advocate & Solicitor). Qualifications or experience in Singaporean or other regional law is a significant advantage.

• Experience: 5 to 8 years of Post-Qualified Experience (PQE), with at least 2 years in a regional or cross-border capacity.

• Skills:

• Strong drafting and negotiation skills in English (essential).

• Fluency in Bahasa Malaysia; proficiency in Mandarin is highly preferred to manage regional documentation.

• Proven experience in managing external law firms across different jurisdictions.

• Attributes: Culturally sensitive, highly adaptable, and capable of navigating the diverse legal landscapes of Southeast and East Asia.

Work Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (with Regional Oversight)