Head of Legal

Private Advertiser; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable retail organization in Kuala Lumpur is seeking an experienced legal professional to lead its Legal Division. The role focuses on providing strategic legal advice to senior management while ensuring compliance and effective risk management. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, at least 10 years of relevant legal experience, and demonstrate strong leadership and negotiation skills. The successful applicant will have a profound understanding of the retail sector and a track record of managing legal services efficiently.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of relevant legal experience, preferably in retail, FMCG, or corporate.
• Strong experience in contract management, regulatory compliance, and litigation.
• Qualified and licensed to practise law in Malaysia.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Legal Division to improve legal capability.
• Provide timely legal advice to support business operations and compliance.
• Oversee external legal counsels and manage litigation matters.
• Conduct site visits to ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Contract management

Regulatory compliance

Corporate advisory

Litigation and dispute management

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Law (LLB)

Job description

About the Company

A well-established and reputable organisation within the retail and consumer business sector, with a nationwide footprint and diversified operations, is seeking a seasoned legal professional to lead its Legal function. This role plays a strategic advisory position to the Board and Senior Management while ensuring strong governance, compliance, and legal risk management across the business.

Job Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Governance

  • Lead, manage, and develop the Legal Division to ensure continuous improvement in legal capability, professionalism, and succession planning.
  • Formulate and implement Legal Division objectives, policies, and strategies aligned with overall business direction.
  • Act as a key legal advisor to the Board of Directors, Audit Committee, Risk Committee, and Management Committee.
  • Attend senior management meetings to provide legal input on business plans, operational strategies, and risk matters.

• Legal Advisory & Business Support

  • Provide timely, practical, and commercially sound legal advice to support business operations, expansion, and strategic initiatives.
  • Review, negotiate, and structure commercial agreements, contracts, and business deals.
  • Advise on regulatory requirements, new laws, policies, and guidelines issued by governing bodies, ensuring company-wide compliance.
  • Support business units with legal consultation relating to operations, corporate matters, and group-related legal issues.

• Legal Operations & Risk Management

  • Oversee the delivery of legal services, resources, and workflows within the Legal Division to meet organisational priorities.
  • Manage external legal counsels, litigation matters, and dispute resolution effectively.
  • Conduct site visits (stores, malls, operational locations) to monitor legal and regulatory compliance where necessary.

• People Leadership & Capability Building

  • Lead and manage a Legal Division.
  • Determine Legal Division structure, manpower planning, and resource allocation in line with company policies.
  • Delegate authority to department heads or managers where appropriate.
  • Drive performance management, talent development, training needs, and succession planning within the Legal team.
  • Provide legal awareness and training programmes to cultivate a strong legal mindset among employees.

• Authority, Budget & Decision-Making

  • Exercise signing authority on legal-related requisitions, proposals, service provider forms, and act as witness for agreements where applicable.
  • Plan and manage the Legal Division budget in accordance with company guidelines.
  • Hold financial approval authority in line with company policy (up to the approved limit per transaction), including delegation of authority to subordinates.

• Additional Responsibilities

  • Undertake additional duties as assigned by Management to support business needs, operational priorities, and organisational effectiveness.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from a recognised institution.
• Qualified and licensed to practise law in Malaysia.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant legal experience, preferably within retail, FMCG, consumer business, or corporate environments.
• Strong experience in:
  • Contract management
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Corporate advisory
  • Litigation and dispute management.
• Proven experience managing external legal counsels.
• Prior experience in a senior leadership or head-of-function role is highly preferred.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to align legal strategies to commercial objectives.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Confident decision-maker with sound judgement and integrity.
• Ability to manage multiple legal matters under pressure.
• Strong leadership, people management, and stakeholder engagement skills.

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• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Malaysia?
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