Legal Counsel & Data Privacy Assistant Manager

Zurich Insurance; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company is seeking a qualified Legal Counsel and Data Privacy Specialist to join their Legal team in Malaysia. This position will ensure compliance with data protection laws and provide legal support across functions. Candidates should have a degree in law, at least 5 years of in-house legal experience with a focus on data privacy, and strong communication skills. Join a culture that values diversity and continuous improvement while making a difference in your work.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in an in-house legal role.
• At least 2 years focused on data privacy.
• Exposure to commercial contracts and regulatory matters.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and negotiate legal documents.
• Provide legal advice on operational and commercial matters.
• Support contract negotiations and compliance.
• Implement data protection governance frameworks.
• Assist with incident management and reporting.

Skills

Data protection expertise

Contract law

Strong communication skills

Proactive and organized

Collaboration skills

Education

Degree in Law

Professional certifications in data privacy

Job description

Summary

We are seeking a qualified and experienced Legal Counsel and Data Privacy Specialist to join our Legal team in Malaysia. This dual‑role position is responsible for providing practical legal support and ensuring Zurich’s compliance with data protection laws. You’ll collaborate across functions to guide and protect our business and customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, draft, and negotiate commercial contracts and other legal documents, ensuring legal soundness and effective risk mitigation.
• Provide practical, business‑focused legal advice on day‑to‑day operational, commercial, insurance, and takaful matters in line with Zurich’s policies and standards.
• Partner with cross‑functional stakeholders to support contract negotiations and ensure compliance with applicable laws and internal governance requirements.
• Contribute legal expertise to company projects and broader business initiatives as assigned.
• Support in implementing and maintaining data protection governance frameworks, including DPIAs, privacy reviews, and compliance documentation.
• Assist with incident management, internal escalation processes, and preparation of data protection reports for management and regulatory purposes.

What we look for

• Experience in data protection, privacy compliance, and contract law.
• Understanding of Malaysian PDPA, global privacy standards, and business operations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proactive, organized, and collaborative, with a strong sense of ownership.
• Fluent in English; Bahasa Malaysia an advantage.

Qualification / Experience

Education :

• Degree in Law
• Professional certifications in data privacy are a plus

Experience :

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an in‑house legal role with at least 2 years focused on data privacy.
• Exposure to commercial contracts and regulatory matters.
• Experience within the insurance or takaful industry is a strong advantage.

Our Culture

At Zurich we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity and Inclusion. We want you to bring your whole self to work. We have a diverse mix of customers, and we want our employee base to reflect that. Our diversity and inclusion initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome regardless of protected characteristics. With the above in mind, we accept applications from everyone regardless of your background, beliefs, or culture. We are committed to continuous improvement, and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities. Zurich is passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. So, make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.