Legal and Compliance Counsel

Summary

Reporting to the APAC Data Privacy Director and dotted line reporting to the Managing Director, the Legal and Compliance Counsel is pivotal in navigating complex local regulations and ensuring the company’s adherence to legal standards. Key responsibilities include providing advice and pragmatic solutions to preempt and address legal challenges unique to the company, conducting thorough risk assessments, managing compliance audits, and implementing effective legal strategies. Acting as a business partner and working with stakeholders from all levels, including the APAC regional team as well as the local teams in Malaysia and Singapore. The role will help those seeking to develop leadership and project management skills to lead legal and compliance initiatives and interact cross-functionally, enhancing both legal acumen and managerial expertise.

Responsibilities

This role will undertake two (2) key responsibilities, i.e. Legal and Compliance, supporting Knauf Gypsum regional office and its companies based in Malaysia and Singapore: -

• Lead and project manage the implementation of the Knauf Group Compliance policies, including but not limited to Data Privacy, Anti-Trust, Anti Bribery & Corruption, Sanctions, and other compliance matters.
• Provide pragmatic legal advice and support to the company on various legal matters, including contract review, negotiation, and dispute resolution.
• Conduct and keep abreast of any new laws and regulations applicable to the company, initiate necessary change to business operations.
• Work closely with the APAC regional team to design, develop and implement Compliance programs and activities for the company.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with local legislations set forth by the relevant regulatory bodies or authorities.
• Establish and maintain local Compliance related procedures and processes tailored to the company’s businesses and operations.
• Identify potential Legal and Compliance risks and collaborate with the stakeholders to develop strategies and plans to mitigate the risks.
• Foster a strong Compliance culture and raise Compliance awareness in the company.
• Conduct regular reviews and audits to assess compliance with internal policies and external regulations, to identify gaps and areas for improvement.\
• Be the liaison with the local authorities and external law firms as needed, including becoming the local data protection officer.
• Prepare reports to the APAC regional team on any Legal and Compliance development in the country as arises, development of any Compliance programs and any non-compliance or potential legal breach.
• Support the APAC regional team on any regional Legal and Compliance projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in law.
• Substantive legal experience in private practice (preferably mid-senior level).
• In house working experience is an added advantage.
• Strong technical, drafting, research and analytical skills with practical commercial acumen.
• Experience in implementing Compliance programs, policies and procedures is an added advantage.
• Able to collaborate and influence stakeholders positively.
• Able to work independently.
• Highly detail-oriented and meticulous.
• Ability to engage confidently and effectively with different people across different seniorities, expertise, roles and culture.
• Willingness to take on leadership roles in Legal and Compliance projects.
• Good presentation and training skills – able to present Legal and Compliance related topics clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• Proficiency in local language and English (written and spoken).
• Strong Microsoft Office skills (MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook and MS PowerPoint).
• Strong technical knowledge towards local legislations.
• Good regulatory / compliance knowledge and skills (CIPP or CIPM certified is an advantage).

We are looking for an individual who

• Has unquestionable integrity and honesty.
• Takes personal pride and ownership of the results and act with the highest integrity.
• Sets high standards, is personally motivated with a high work ethic.
• Is proactive, organised, and structured.
• Strong communication and change management skills.
• Remains calm under pressure.
• Decisive, persistent and finishes what is started.
• Open to feedback and considered of other’s ideas.
• High attention to detail.
• Takes accountabilities for all decisions.
• Is a strong fit with the Knauf values: Menschlichkeit - Humanity, Partnership, Commitment and Entrepreneurship.

Knauf – From Family Business to Corporate Family

Founded in 1932, Knauf is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction materials for interior design, building insulation, and design ceilings. Knauf plants across the globe produce state-of-the-art drywall systems, plasters, and insulating materials as well as external thermal insulation composite systems. Moreover, paints, flowing screeds and flooring-systems, as well as machines and tools for the application of these products round off our portfolio. The Knauf Group invests substantially each year in the development and modernisation of manufacturing plants, and the training and further education of its employees.

Serving Customers Worldwide

The Knauf Group continues to operate as a family business and is present in over 90 countries with over 80 raw materials processing plants and over 300 manufacturing plants on five continents. Knauf systems simplify planning and construction on a global scale, offering comprehensive solutions and quality assurance. In many countries, the name Knauf is synonymous with gypsum. The Group is managed by the general partners Alexander Knauf, Jörg Kampmeyer, and Dr Uwe Knotzer. In 2021, Knauf employed 40,000 employees worldwide and generated sales of 12.6 billion Euros.

Designing the Rooms of Tomorrow

Innovation and the integration of technological innovations are the cornerstones of our business strategy. With high quality products, Knauf continuously sets new standards to make the construction and modernisation of buildings better, more efficient, and more sustainable. Coordinated systems impress with their cost-effectiveness, high levels of fire resistance and sound insulation, as well as the highest energy efficiency, and a diverse range of design choices.

High Quality Solutions for all Aspects of Construction

Modern construction must meet complex requirements. Key energy performance management must synergise with ventilation and illumination as well as design. The increasing implementation of technology calls for integral planning processes and new forms of space creation. Accordingly, Knauf offers premium solutions in drywall construction. As a reliable partner, the Knauf Group supports customers with well-founded know-how, and exceptional service – from local housing construction to superlative architecture worldwide.