Job Overview

The Head of Legal & Compliance oversees and manages the Company's legal, regulatory, and compliance framework, ensuring that all business activities adhere to applicable laws and internal standards. This role functions as an independent and objective advisor, evaluating regulatory requirements, internal policies, and compliance risks to support business growth and long-term sustainability.

The incumbent will establish standards and implement processes to ensure effective identification, prevention, detection, and remediation of legal and compliance issues.

This position reports functionally to the Regional Head of Legal and Regional Head of Compliance (based in Thailand), and a dotted line to the Country Managing Director (Malaysia).

Responsibilities

Legal:

Review, draft, and negotiate contracts and other legal documents related to the Company's business.
Manage and main legal documents, including DWR, certificate of incorporation, AOA, and other corporate documents.
Provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice across business functions.
Educate and guide internal teams to ensure compliance with legal standards.
Collaborate and build trust with key stakeholders, including regional teams, business functions, and external partners or counsel.
Support the Regional Head of Legal on both local and regional legal projects.

Compliance:

Regulatory Compliance Advisory

Oversee license maintenance and regulatory activities with BNM and other relevant authorities.
Provide compliance advice on areas such as AML/CFT, KYC, outsourcing, business continuity, and technology risk.
Develop and maintain the Country Compliance Program, including policies and procedures in line with Malaysian AML/CFT and e-KYC regulations.
Ensure all regulatory reports are prepared and submitted accurately and on time.
Partner with operations and product teams to embed compliance requirements into systems and processes.
Serve as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO).
Manage AML-related activities, including suspicious transaction reporting, AML training, and onboarding compliance for customers and partners.
Discharge all responsibilities as the nominated Compliance Officer in accordance with Malaysian laws.

Monitoring, Controls & Governance

Conduct compliance risk assessments and develop action plans to address regulatory gaps.
Support internal and external audits related to compliance or control initiatives.
Develop and maintain an incident reporting and remediation framework.
Collaborate with subject matter experts on data protection and information security risks.
Provide periodic updates to senior management and organize governance meetings as required by regulation.

Training & Awareness

Promote a strong compliance culture across all levels of the organization.
Design and deliver regular compliance training and awareness programs.

Risk & Fraud Management

Establish and maintain Risk and Fraud Management policies, standards/procedures in line with BNM's regulation.
Oversee non-financial risk management including operational, fraud, compliance, IT security, and business continuity risks within risk appetite and risk tolerance of a company.
Supervise the design and testing of control frameworks.
Support the implementation of Regional Risk and Fraud Management governance using tools, but not limited to, such as RCSA, PSAP risk assessment, incident management, key control testing, KRI monitoring, and etc.
Build the risk culture in the organization.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in law or a related field; a valid legal practicing license is an advantage.
Minimum of 8 years experience in Legal and/or Compliance, with at least 3 years in a senior managerial role within financial services, fintech, or e-commerce sectors.
Solid understanding of BNM regulations, e-money, remittance, AML/CFT, and e-KYC frameworks.
Strong analytical and risk assessment skills with a practical, results-driven mindset.
Strong understanding of risk and compliance frameworks in financial services and technology industries.
Ability to communicate complex legal and regulatory issues clearly across all levels of the organization.
Proactive, self-motivated, detail-oriented, and organized.
Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Experience working in a regional or cross-border environment is a plus.
Proven ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Commercially minded, with the ability to balance compliance requirements and business objectives.
Compliance certification eg; ACAMS, ACAML preferred

Head of Legal & Compliance (True Money Malaysia)