Senior Counsel, Legal & Compliance

Great Wall Motors; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive company is seeking a highly skilled Senior Counsel for Legal & Compliance in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This role involves providing legal advice on manufacturing operations, drafting commercial contracts, and ensuring compliance with regulations across Malaysia and beyond. Ideal candidates should have a law degree and at least 4 years of experience, with fluency in English, Mandarin, and Malay. A competitive remuneration package and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Maternity/Paternity Leave

Medical & Dental Insurance

Annual commendation

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in legal, regulatory, or compliance work.
• Comfortable working in a China-facing environment.
• Experience in compliance policy drafting and implementation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on operational matters in automotive manufacturing.
• Identify and mitigate legal and compliance risks.
• Draft and negotiate commercial agreements, especially cross-border.

Skills

Legal advisory skills

Contract negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Proficiency in English

Proficiency in Mandarin

Proficiency in Malay

Education

Law degree from a recognized university

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and forward-thinking Senior Counsel, Legal & Compliance to join our team in Malaysia. This role goes beyond routine advisory work — you will be at the center of a fast-growing automotive business, navigating complex corporate, commercial, and international trade matters across Malaysia, China, and Thailand. You will handle high-impact legal issues in manufacturing, product quality, and supply chain operations, while also playing a key role in compliance governance, including implementing HQ-driven compliance policies locally. This is an opportunity for a proactive and bold professional who thrives on tackling cross-border challenges and making a tangible impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and practical legal advice on operational matters in Malaysia, with a strong focus on automotive manufacturing, product quality, and supply chain compliance.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and compliance risks independently, recommending strategies to safeguard the Company.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of legal and commercial agreements, especially cross-border contracts involving Malaysia, China, and Thailand.
• Take instructions from HQ in drafting, adapting, and implementing compliance policies, ensuring they align with group standards and local regulatory requirements.
• Liaise with HQ Legal & Compliance, delivering regular updates, presentations, and reports to ensure alignment with group-wide objectives.
• Perform ad hoc legal and compliance assignments, requiring flexibility and solution-oriented thinking.

Qualifications & Skills

• Law degree from a recognized university.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in legal, regulatory, or compliance work (automotive or manufacturing industry experience preferred).
• Proven ability to draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, ideally with cross-border scope.
• Strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills with the ability to advise both legal and non-legal stakeholders.
• Proficiency in English, Mandarin, and Malay to effectively communicate with our diverse client base and stakeholders (written and spoken).
• Comfortable working in a China-facing environment, proactive, and confident in taking ownership of complex, multi-jurisdictional matters.
• Experience in compliance policy drafting, implementation, or monitoring is a strong plus.
• Mature, meticulous, resourceful, and results-oriented with high integrity and a proactive mindset.

What We Offer

• Autonomy with trust – freedom to manage your work independently with support when needed, without micromanagement.
• Cross-border exposure – direct involvement with HQ in China and regional partners in Thailand on strategic legal and compliance matters.
• Growth & recognition – a dynamic environment that values curiosity, initiative, creativity, and bold thinking, with visibility at both local and HQ levels.
• Employee Benefits:
• Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Compensatory leave
• Examination leave
• Company laptop
• Medical & Dental Insurance (cover spouse & child too)
• Vouchers or gifts for Employee's birthday/marriage /give birth
• Workplace activity
• Annual commendation
• All Successful candidates can expect a very competitive remuneration package and a comprehensive range of benefits.
• We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.