Legal Manager

Ormond Group; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic hospitality group is seeking a Manager, Legal to oversee legal operations across its hotels. The role involves leading complex transactions, providing strategic legal advice to senior leadership, and managing compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Applicants should have 8-10 years of experience, a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB), strong negotiation skills, and excellent command of English and Bahasa Malaysia. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact within a fast-growing organization.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of relevant experience, with both law firm and in-house legal experience.
• Experience in hospitality, real estate, or service-related industries is preferred.
• Excellent command of English and Bahasa Malaysia.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex transactions and agreements related to hotel management and acquisitions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate diverse agreements including contracts and financing documents.
• Provide strategic legal advice to senior leadership to drive business growth.

Skills

Commercial contract negotiation

Corporate advisory

Dispute resolution

Compliance

Strong interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from a recognised university

Job description

As the Manager, Legal in a dynamic and fast-growing hospitality group, you will play a critical role in leading and supporting day-to-day legal operations across the Group’s hotels and related entities. You will provide strategic legal guidance on commercial and operational matters and serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex transactions from structuring to execution, including hotel management and franchise agreements, joint ventures, acquisitions, and development-related deals. Engage directly with investors, developers, and financial institutions to negotiate commercially viable outcomes.

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements encompassing supplier and vendor contracts, tenancy and lease arrangements, licensing and franchising documents, consultancy agreements, and financing or security documents.

• Partner with senior leadership—from the Group CEO and COO to Heads of Operations, Finance, Development, and HR—to provide strategic legal advice that drives business growth while managing risk exposure.

• Advise on project feasibility and deal structuring during the inception of new developments, conversions, or acquisitions, ensuring alignment with group strategy, local regulations, and investor expectations.

• Collaborate with banks and lenders on loan documentation, facility agreements, and securities to support project funding, refinancing, and expansion activities.

• Oversee compliance with corporate, hospitality, labor, safety, and real estate regulations across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring operational licenses, permits, and statutory filings are up to date.

• Manage disputes and litigation involving guests, employees, vendors, or regulatory bodies, balancing reputational protection and cost efficiency while liaising with external counsel.

• Safeguard intellectual property and brand assets, including trademarks, copyrights, and digital rights, while ensuring adherence to data privacy and PDPA regulations.

• Maintain corporate governance frameworks, supporting board and shareholder matters, resolutions, and company secretarial functions for all entities within the group.

• Build a culture of legal awareness by conducting internal training and compliance briefings for management and operational teams across hotels and the corporate office.

• Mentor and develop junior legal team members, fostering analytical rigor and commercial acumen in legal decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from a recognised university; called to the Malaysian Bar.

• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience, with a combination of law firm and in-house legal experience.

• Proven track record in commercial contract negotiation, corporate advisory, compliance, and dispute resolution.

• Experience in hospitality, real estate, or service-related industries is highly preferred.

• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Bahasa Malaysia.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with internal stakeholders at all levels.

• Strategic thinker who can also manage day-to-day legal operations and meet tight deadlines.

• Meticulous, well‑organised, and capable of handling confidential information with discretion.

• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams.

• Proven track lead in legal projects.