Overview
Head of Legal, Risk and Compliance (Myanmar based Expat role) Jobs in Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at Alphasearch
Title: Head of Legal, Risk and Compliance (Myanmar based Expat role)
Company: Alphasearch
Location: Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Head of Legal, Risk and Compliance
Location: Yangon, Myanmar
- Lead enterprise-wide Risk, Compliance, Governance and Legal functions
- Drive corporate governance, regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management
- Play a critical role in protecting the organization’s assets, reputation and long-term sustainability.
The Company
Our client is one of Myanmar’s leading diversified business groups with a significant presence across Energy, Industrial, Manufacturing, Trading, Infrastructure, Automotive, Consumer Products, Investments and Emerging Ventures. With continued expansion across multiple industries, the Group is strengthening its corporate governance, enterprise risk management and legal framework to support sustainable growth, regulatory excellence and investor confidence.
As the organization continues to evolve into a more sophisticated and professionally managed enterprise, it is seeking an accomplished executive to lead the Group’s Risk, Compliance and Legal functions while partnering closely with the Board of Directors, Group CEO and senior leadership team.
The Position
Reporting directly to the Group CEO / Group Managing Director, the Head of Legal, Risk, & Compliance will provide strategic leadership across Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Corporate Governance, Compliance, Regulatory Affairs, Legal Services and Internal Control for the Group.
The successful candidate will establish and implement an enterprise-wide governance framework that enables effective risk identification, assessment, mitigation and monitoring across all business units. The role will be responsible for developing risk appetite statements, governance policies, compliance frameworks and reporting mechanisms while ensuring alignment with international best practices and evolving regulatory requirements.
A key focus will be leading strategic, operational, financial, legal, compliance, cyber and reputational risk assessments, maintaining enterprise risk registers, monitoring key risk indicators and presenting risk reports and recommendations to the Board Risk Committee and Executive Management. The incumbent will also drive organization-wide risk mitigation initiatives that strengthen business resilience and operational performance.
The role will oversee all legal affairs for the Group, providing strategic legal advice to the Board and Executive Leadership on corporate transactions, governance matters, commercial agreements, litigation, arbitration, regulatory issues and business risks. Responsibilities include reviewing and negotiating major commercial contracts, managing external legal counsel, supporting mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and investment activities, while ensuring legal risks are effectively managed across the organization.
The Head of Legal, Risk & Compliance will lead the Group’s compliance and regulatory agenda by ensuring adherence to Myanmar laws, ASEAN regulations and applicable international standards. This includes monitoring legislative developments, leading regulatory inspections, overseeing statutory licensing requirements, managing relationships with government authorities and promoting a strong culture of ethics, integrity and corporate accountability throughout the organization.
Working closely with Finance and Internal Audit, the role will strengthen internal control frameworks, governance processes and fraud risk management programs while enhancing enterprise-wide assurance capabilities. The position will also lead business continuity planning, crisis management frameworks and organizational resilience initiatives to ensure operational continuity during periods of disruption.
As a trusted advisor to the Board, Executive Committee and business leaders, the successful candidate will represent the Group in regulatory engagements, legal matters and strategic governance discussions while safeguarding corporate reputation, shareholder interests and long-term business sustainability.
The Person
The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in Law, Risk Management, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related discipline, with postgraduate qualifications such as an LL.M, MBA, Master’s in Corporate Governance or Risk Management considered highly advantageous. Professional certifications including CRM, CCEP, CFE, CIA, CGP, CISA, CPA, CA, ACCA or Bar Council membership will be viewed favorably.
You will bring at least 15 years of progressive professional experience, including a minimum of 8–10 years in senior leadership positions and at least five years leading Enterprise Risk, Compliance, Governance or Legal functions within diversified organizations. Experience gained in holding companies, conglomerates, energy, manufacturing, industrial operations, infrastructure, construction, financial services or investment groups will be highly regarded.
The successful candidate will possess deep expertise in Enterprise Risk Management (ISO 31000), corporate governance, regulatory compliance, corporate and commercial laws, investment regulations, contract management, AML and anti-corruption frameworks, ESG governance, internal controls and crisis management. Practical experience working with Myanmar tax regulations, regulatory authorities, external auditors and government agencies will be an added advantage.
Strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking and executive presence are essential, together with exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills. The role requires an individual who can influence Board-level decision making, navigate complex regulatory environments, exercise sound independent judgment and build trusted relationships with senior executives, investors, regulators and external advisors. The successful candidate will demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality and ethical leadership while driving governance excellence across a large and diversified business group.
