Legal, Compliance & Internal Audit Senior Executive

Malaysia Trade & Transport Co Sdn Bhd; Penang; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Malaysia Trade & Transport Co Sdn Bhd in Malaysia is seeking a Legal, Compliance & Internal Audit Senior Executive to support the Group across legal, regulatory, governance and internal audit matters. You will provide practical legal and compliance guidance, review contracts, monitor regulatory obligations, and conduct internal audits to ensure operations adhere to laws, policies and controls.

The role requires 3–5 years of relevant experience, a law degree, and professional qualification; you

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Legal Studies or equivalent required or highly preferred.
• Candidates with Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit or Corporate Governance qualifications may also be considered.
• Professional legal qualification or admission to the Malaysian Bar is desirable.
• Good understanding of Malaysian commercial, corporate, employment and regulatory requirements.
• Good understanding of compliance, risk management and internal control principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide preliminary legal advice and guidance to Management and departments on business matters.
• Review, draft and negotiate contracts, NDAs, service agreements, tenancy agreements and other legal documents.
• Identify potential legal and contractual risks and recommend safeguards.
• Coordinate with external lawyers on complex legal matters, disputes, and opinions.
• Monitor compliance with applicable laws, regulations, licences and permits across the Group.
• Conduct internal audits and reviews to assess adherence to policies, SOPs and controls.
• Prepare internal audit reports and report to Management.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Legal Studies or equivalent

Bar admission in Malaysia

Compliance / Risk Management / Internal Audit qualifications

Job description

Legal, Compliance & Internal Audit Senior Executive

The Legal, Compliance & Internal Audit Senior Executive is responsible for supporting the Group in legal, regulatory, compliance, governance and internal audit matters across its diversified businesses.

The role will provide practical legal and compliance support to Management, review contracts and legal matters, monitor regulatory obligations, and conduct internal audits to assess whether departments and business functions are operating in accordance with applicable laws, internal policies, SOPs, approval authorities and established controls.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal Advisory & Contract Management

Provide preliminary legal advice and guidance to Management and departments on business and operational matters.

Review, draft and assist in negotiating contracts, agreements, NDAs, service agreements, tenancy agreements and other legal documents.

Identify potential legal and contractual risks and recommend appropriate safeguards.

Coordinate with external lawyers on complex legal matters, disputes, litigation and legal opinions.

Maintain proper records and monitor significant contractual obligations, renewals and expiry dates.

2. Regulatory & Compliance Management

Monitor compliance with applicable laws, regulations, licences, permits and statutory requirements across the Group.

Keep Management informed of relevant regulatory changes and potential compliance risks.

Conduct compliance reviews and identify gaps or non‑compliance.

Recommend corrective actions and follow up with the relevant departments.

Liaise with regulatory authorities and professional advisers where required.

3. Internal Audit & Operational Review

Conduct internal audits and reviews across Group companies, departments and business functions.

Review whether operations are conducted in accordance with approved policies, SOPs, authority limits and internal controls.

Review areas including procurement, finance, HR, payroll, inventory, warehousing, operations, assets, IT and administration where required.

Verify transactions, approvals, supporting documentation and operational practices.

Identify control weaknesses, irregularities, inefficiencies and areas of non‑compliance.

Prepare internal audit reports and recommend practical corrective actions.

Follow up on audit findings and report significant or unresolved matters to Management.

Review the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls and governance practices.

Identify legal, compliance, operational and reputational risks.

Review segregation of duties, approval authorities and accountability within key processes.

Recommend improvements to strengthen controls and reduce business risks.

Support Management in improving governance and accountability across the Group.

5. Investigations & Special Reviews

Assist in investigations involving suspected misconduct, fraud, irregularities, policy breaches or conflicts of interest.

Review relevant records, transactions and supporting documentation.

Prepare factual findings and reports for Management.

Recommend corrective or preventive measures arising from investigations.

Support special reviews and due diligence exercises where required.

Review and assist in developing Group policies, SOPs and compliance guidelines.

Identify gaps in existing policies and recommend improvements.

Ensure lessons arising from audit findings, legal matters and compliance issues are incorporated into relevant policies and procedures.

Support greater consistency in governance and control practices across Group companies.

7. Management Support & Reporting

Prepare legal summaries, compliance reports, audit reports and risk assessments for Management.

Highlight significant legal, compliance or control issues in a timely manner.

Work closely with CEOs, General Managers and Heads of Department across the Group.

Provide practical recommendations to address identified risks and weaknesses.

Coordinate with external lawyers, auditors, consultants, company secretaries and regulatory authorities where required.

Key Working Relationships

Internal

Group Management

CEOs and General Managers

Heads of Departments

Finance and Accounts

Group HR

Procurement

Operations

IT and Administration

External

External Lawyers

Auditors

Company Secretaries

Consultants and Professional Advisers

Government Agencies and Regulatory Bodies

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Legal Studies or equivalent is highly preferred.

Candidates with relevant qualifications in Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit, Accounting or Corporate Governance may also be considered.

Professional legal qualification or admission to the Malaysian Bar

Good understanding of Malaysian commercial, corporate, employment and regulatory requirements.

Good understanding of compliance, risk management and internal control principles.

Experience

Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in legal, compliance, internal audit, risk management or corporate governance.

Experience in contract review, regulatory compliance and internal audit or operational reviews is preferred.

Experience within a diversified group or multi-company environment would be an advantage.

Exposure to shipping, logistics, warehousing, property, education or healthcare would be an advantage.

Strong legal and analytical skills.

Good understanding of contracts and regulatory requirements.

Strong audit, risk and internal control mindset.

Ability to identify weaknesses, irregularities and non‑compliance.

Good investigation and report‑writing skills.

Strong attention to detail and professional judgement.

High level of integrity, confidentiality and objectivity.

Able to work independently across multiple companies and business functions.

Able to communicate and challenge departments professionally where required.