Legal Counsel (Retail MNC, Malaysia-based)

ConnectedGroup; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

ConnectedGroup is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to drive data protection, privacy compliance, and complex contract drafting for its luxury retail operations across Asia. You will partner with cross-functional teams and external counsel to manage IT procurement, IP licensing, and regulatory matters.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years PQE, fluent English, Mandarin is advantageous, and a proven ability to work independently within a matrix organization across jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5 to 7 years PQE from reputable law firm or in-house role.
• Strong contract negotiation skills with exposure to data protection, IT procurement, and IP licensing.
• Language: English required; Mandarin advantageous for Greater China documentation.
• Independent, proactive with matrix teams across jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

• Data Protection & Privacy Compliance: lead governance to ensure compliance with regional laws.
• Core Contract Drafting & Review: draft and negotiate complex commercial contracts including supply agreements.
• M&A & Corporate Transactions: support due diligence and integration for corporate transactions.
• Compliance & Template Governance: update key templates and group-wide policies.
• Stakeholder & External Counsel Management: coordinate with cross-functional teams and external counsel.

Job description

About the Client

Our client is a leading player in the luxury retail market across multiple markets in Asia and beyond. Its regional success is powered by true autonomy, entrepreneurship, and a high-performance culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Protection & Privacy Compliance: Spearhead privacy governance, ensuring all commercial agreements, digital operations, and cross-border data transfers strictly comply with regional data protection laws and regulatory frameworks.

• Core Contract Drafting & Review: Structure, draft, and negotiate complex commercial contracts-including supply agreements

• M&A & Corporate Transactions: Drive due diligence and transactional integration for corporate transactions, joint ventures, and strategic exits.

• Compliance & Template Governance: Update key template agreements and refine Group-wide policies to ensure ongoing legal compliance and operational best practices.

• Stakeholder & External Counsel Management: Partner with cross-functional teams, brand partners, and external legal counsel to manage technical compliance, IP licensing, and specialized data privacy matters.

Candidate Profile

• Experience: 5 to 7 years of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE) from a reputable law firm or in-house role (experience in retail, FMCG, or luxury sectors is highly regarded). Qualified to practice law in a common law jurisdiction.

• Technical Skills: Strong technical proficiency in contract negotiation with proven exposure to data protection, IT procurement, and IP licensing.

• Language Skills: Mandatory proficiency in written and spoken English; the ability to speak and write Mandarin is highly advantageous for managing Greater China documentation.

• Working Style: Highly self-motivated and capable of working independently, maintaining proactive alignment and collaboration with matrix teams across jurisdictions.