Group Head of Legal & Co Sec

Jobstreet Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Kuala Lumpur seeks a Head of Legal to oversee legal and corporate secretarial functions. This pivotal role demands robust governance, compliance with Malaysian and international regulations, and proactive risk management. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in the legal field, strong leadership skills, and a solid understanding of corporate governance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years experience in legal and corporate governance.
• At least 5 years in leadership positions overseeing legal functions.
• Strong familiarity with regulatory requirements and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal strategy and risk management to protect company interests.
• Manage corporate secretarial functions and ensure governance compliance.
• Engage with regulators and stakeholders to promote legal alignment.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Legal strategy evaluation

Contract negotiation

Risk management

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Licensed Company Secretary (MAICSA)

Job description

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To lead and manage the Legal and Corporate Secretarial functions across the Company and Subsidiaries, ensuring robust governance, legal compliance, and effective board support in line with Malaysian and international regulatory requirements.

This role is pivotal in upholding the Group’s integrity, managing legal risks, and facilitating sound corporate governance practices, particularly for a listed entity and its regulated subsidiaries.

Key Responsibilities

LEGAL

1 Legal Strategy & Risk Management

Lead the development of legal strategies to protect the Group’s interests and promote compliance.

Proactively identify and mitigate legal risks across business units, functions, and jurisdictions.

Provide legal advice on a range of matters including regulatory compliance, contracts, product disclosures, litigation, industrial relations, M&A, and licensing matters.

Oversee the drafting and negotiation of legal documents including contracts, powers of attorney, indemnities, and settlement agreements.

Manage and resolve arbitration and litigation matters.

Lead cross-functional legal projects involving multiple jurisdictions and departments.

Liaise with regulators and community stakeholders to ensure alignment with applicable laws and promote positive external relationships.

Provide legal training and awareness programs to staff across the organization.

Lead and develop the legal team, including technical capability and leadership pipeline development.

Manage special projects and other duties as required by the Group CEO or Board.

COMPANY SECRETARY

Board & Committee Support

Manage agendas, meeting papers, and minutes for Board, Board Committees, and Annual General Meetings.

Provide secretarial support and ensure accurate documentation and follow-up of decisions.

Advise on statutory requirements and ensure adherence to corporate governance standards.

Shareholder Communication

Oversee the preparation and distribution of shareholder documents, including annual reports, notices, and proxy forms.

Manage communication with shareholders and ensure compliance with listing and disclosure requirements.

Maintain statutory books and registers, including members, directors, and secretaries.

Ensure secure and up-to-date company records and filings.

Identify and mitigate governance and secretarial compliance risks, in alignment with risk management policies.

Manage director onboarding, training, and Board evaluation processes.

Implement annual Board and individual director assessments and follow through on improvement actions.

Develop tailored training and induction plans for new and existing directors.

GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE

Drive best practices in corporate governance and act as a key advisor to the Board and senior management on governance matters.

Develop and implement group-wide policies, charters, and procedures related to legal and company secretarial functions.

Ensure compliance with listing requirements, financial services laws, data privacy, anti-bribery regulations, and other applicable legal frameworks.

Support regulatory inspections and audits involving legal and governance aspects.

LEADERSHIP & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing legal and secretarial team.

Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Risk, Compliance, Strategy, and HR to support enterprise-wide initiatives.

Engage with external stakeholders such as regulators, shareholders, legal advisors, and corporate partners.

Requirements

Education/Experience

Bachelor of Laws (LLB); admission to the Malaysian Bar preferred.

Licensed Company Secretary with MAICSA or equivalent qualification.

Minimum 15 years of experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership position overseeing legal and company secretarial functions.

Experience working in a publicly listed company and/or the financial services sector is highly desirable.

Strong familiarity with Bursa Listing Requirements, Companies Act, BNM, and Labuan FSA regulations, MCCG, and other relevant laws.

Additional Skills

Strong commercial acumen—understands business models and how legal strategy supports growth.

Able to evaluate legal risks in the context of commercial outcomes.

Able to structure deals that balance legal protection with business opportunities.

Able to anticipate market and regulatory shifts across different jurisdictions.

Provides proactive, forward-looking counsel on emerging trends and risks.

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Your application will include the following questions:

• What's your expected monthly basic salary?
• Which of the following types of qualifications do you have?
• How many years' experience do you have as a Head of Legal?
• How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
• How many years' experience do you have in the insurance industry?

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