Head Of Legal Counsel APAC

Location: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Work Mode: Hybrid

Employment type: Permanent

Proficiency in Chinese (Reading & Writing) is mandatory as this role coordinates with China and Taiwan and reviews legal documents in Chinese.

Our client is a global technology service provider that focuses on delivering innovative managed services across cloud connectivity collaboration and security. With a strong commitment to sustainable outcomes they empower organisations to optimise operations and enhance cybersecurity in a digital-first world. Their extensive presence spans multiple countries allowing them to serve a diverse range of industries effectively.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Legal APAC to lead the legal function across the Asia-Pacific region delivering strategic commercial and operational legal support to the business.

• Lead and manage all legal matters across the APAC region ensuring alignment with global legal strategy and regional business objectives.
• Provide strategic legal advice to senior management on regulatory commercial corporate employment and data protection matters.
• Oversee the review drafting and negotiation of complex commercial contracts tenders and strategic partnerships ensuring appropriate risk allocation and compliance with data privacy requirements.
• Support major bids investments and business expansion initiatives including mergers and acquisitions joint ventures and market entry strategies.
• Establish and drive legal and compliance risk management frameworks identifying key risks and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Serve as the Regional Data Protection Officer (DPO) for key Asian jurisdictions overseeing data handling privacy compliance and regulatory reporting.
• Lead data protection and privacy compliance across Asia including policy development cross-border data transfers breach response DPO registrations and regulatory alignment.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws regulations data privacy requirements and internal governance policies across all APAC jurisdictions.
• Develop implement and continuously improve legal compliance and data governance policies processes and controls.
• Manage external legal counsel across multiple countries ensuring cost-effective and high-quality legal support.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders providing proactive legal risk-based and data privacy guidance.
• Partner with business and technology teams on cybersecurity data governance incident response and DPO-mandated audits from a legal perspective.
• Lead mentor and develop the regional legal team fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Support corporate governance activities including board matters company secretarial requirements and regulatory filings.
• Represent the company in negotiations disputes regulatory engagements and interactions with relevant data protection authorities and external stakeholders.

• Qualified lawyer with a Degree in Law or equivalent.
• Admission to practise in a relevant jurisdiction is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years relevant legal experience preferably within regional or multinational organisations.
• Proficiency in Chinese (Reading & Writing) is mandatory as this role coordinates with China and Taiwan and reviews legal documents in Chinese.
• Strong background in commercial law contract management regulatory compliance corporate governance and data protection/privacy laws.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic commercially focused legal advice and influence senior stakeholders.
• Proven experience managing complex negotiations high-value commercial contracts cross-border transactions and data privacy programmes.
• Strong understanding of enterprise risk management compliance frameworks and DPO responsibilities.
• Excellent communication negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities.
• High level of integrity professionalism and sound judgement.

• Experience serving as or supporting a Data Protection Officer (DPO).
• Experience with APAC data protection frameworks including Singapores Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
• Prior experience within the ICT or technology industry.
• Proficiency in Chinese beyond the mandatory requirements.
• Experience supporting or leading legal matters in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) joint ventures and market entry strategies.

• Join a global technology services provider at the forefront of digital transformation where your expertise will shape business strategy and drive innovation across the APAC region.
• Work alongside industry leaders influence key decisions and contribute to the long-term success of a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation.

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