Legal Manager (M&A)

Job description

If you are looking to excel and make a difference, take a closer look at us… Overview Join our team as a Legal Manager to provide proactive and in-depth legal advice and ensure the Bank's interests are protected. You will support the Head of Legal by delivering business-focused legal advisory and transactional support across the entire Bank Group. This role is essential for balancing commercial objectives with regulatory compliance. Your focus will be on strategizing and managing legal risks to minimize disputes, with particular emphasis on Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and cross-border legal coordination. The successful candidate(s) will report to the Head of Legal. Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities Functional (job responsibilities) Offer in-depth, business-focused legal advice to bank functions to minimize legal risks, issues, and disputes proactively. Review, draft, and negotiate a broad range of banking, business, commercial, and transactional documents (e.g., contracts, product documentation), ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. Partner with cross-functional teams to identify, analyze, and mitigate legal risks in new business initiatives, operations, projects, and new product development, and develop legally acceptable solutions. Manage and/or monitor litigation and disputes against the Bank/Bank Group, including claims, investigations, and litigation involving employees, customers, and third parties. Assist in implementing processes and providing legal oversight for corporate exercises, including M&A, joint ventures, investments, restructurings, and financing arrangements. Jobholder Requirements Malaysian citizen. Education/Qualification Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons). Advocate & Solicitor registered with the Malaysian Bar is a plus. Experience/Requirements 8 years and above of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE) from a general practice with an established Malaysian legal firm, specializing in areas such as banking, conveyancing, corporate finance, restructuring, or banking litigation OR In-house counsel experience with a strong working knowledge of banking and financial services in Malaysia. Demonstrable expertise in Malaysian laws, particularly in banking and finance. Experience or working knowledge of drafting and negotiating ISDA Master Agreements and related collateral agreements (CSA, GMRA, FX Master Agreements) involving counterparties in various jurisdictions, as well as knowledge of structured products and derivatives (Added Advantage). Possesses commercial acumen, is resourceful, and capable of working with minimal supervision with excellent attention to detail. Excellent written and verbal communication skills (particularly in English), with strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to engage with a variety of stakeholders and colleagues at all levels. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. About Hong Leong Bank We are a leading financial institution in Malaysia backed by a century of entrepreneurial heritage. Providing comprehensive financial services guided by a Digital-at-the-Core ethos has earned us industry recognition and accolades for our innovative approach in making banking simpler and more effortless for our customers. Our digital and physical offerings span across a vast nationwide network in Malaysia, strengthened with an expanding regional presence in Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. We seek to strike a balance between diversity, inclusion and merit to achieve our mission of infusing diversity in thinking and skillsets into our organisation. Candidates are assessed based on merit and potential, in line with our mission to attract and recruit the best talent available. Expanding on our “Digital at the Core” ethos, we are progressively digitising the employee journey and experience to provide a strong foundation for our people to drive life-long learning, achieve their career aspirations and grow talent from within our organisation. Realise your full potential at Hong Leong Bank by applying now.