The opportunity

Join EY Malaysia’s Core Business Services Legal team within the General Counsel’s Office (GCO), where you will provide practical, commercially grounded legal support to the Malaysian firm. In this role, you will work closely with service lines and enabling functions to review and negotiate contracts, advise on legal and regulatory risk, and support responsible business decisions in a fast-moving professional services environment.

You will be part of a small, high-impact local legal team supporting a broad range of stakeholders and matters. The role offers exposure to contracts, commercial arrangements, risk management, internal advisory work and cross-functional collaboration, while contributing to EY’s commitment to quality, trust and long-term value.

Your key responsibilities

Contracts and commercial advisory

• Review, draft and negotiate a broad range of contracts, engagement terms, non-disclosure agreements, procurement documents and other legal or commercial arrangements.
• Advise stakeholders on contract risk, including liability, indemnities, confidentiality, data, termination, scope, commercial positions and compliance with EY policies.
• Support business teams in balancing commercial objectives with appropriate legal, regulatory and risk safeguards.

Legal risk management and governance

• Provide timely legal advice on Malaysian legal and regulatory considerations relevant to EY’s business operations and client-serving activities.
• Identify, assess and escalate legal risks appropriately, including matters requiring input from regional or global legal, risk management or other specialist teams.
• Support consistent application of internal legal, risk and contracting protocols across the firm.

Business partnering and stakeholder support

• Partner with service lines, Finance, Talent, Procurement, Risk Management, Independence and other enabling functions to support business objectives and operational priorities.
• Build trusted relationships with Partners, Directors and business teams by providing clear, practical and solution-oriented legal advice.
• Promote early legal engagement by helping stakeholders understand key legal risks and required approval pathways.

Disputes, reviews and internal advisory support

• Support internal reviews, fact-finding exercises and investigations from a legal advisory perspective, including document review, risk assessment and preparation of advice.
• Assist with legal research, internal briefings, documentation and coordination on matters requiring legal input or escalation.
• Help preserve confidentiality, privilege and appropriate documentation standards in sensitive matters.

External counsel and matter management

• Coordinate with external counsel where required, including preparing instructions, managing timelines and monitoring quality, scope and cost.
• Maintain appropriate records of legal advice, matter status, key decisions and follow-up actions.
• Contribute to improvement of legal templates, playbooks, processes and knowledge-sharing materials.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strong legal drafting, contract review and negotiation skills, with the ability to identify issues and propose practical solutions.
• Sound judgement, analytical thinking and attention to detail, particularly when navigating legal risk, commercial pressure and stakeholder expectations.
• Ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and concisely to non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with confidence engaging senior business leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple matters concurrently, prioritise effectively and work within tight timelines.
• Collaborative, proactive and agile working style, with a strong sense of accountability, confidentiality and professionalism.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Bahasa Malaysia.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• A recognised law degree and professional legal qualification.
• 6 to 8 years of post-qualification experience in legal practice and/or an in-house legal role.
• Demonstrated experience in contracts, commercial advisory and legal risk management.
• Experience advising on complex commercial arrangements in a corporate, professional services or regulated environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Malaysian legal and regulatory requirements relevant to commercial contracting and business operations.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Experience working in or with a professional services, consulting, audit, tax, legal or regulated business environment.
• Exposure to procurement, technology, data privacy, employment, regulatory, disputes or investigation-related matters.
• Experience working with regional or global stakeholders in a matrixed organisation.
• A continuous improvement mindset, with experience improving legal processes, templates or ways of working.

What we look for

We are looking for a proactive, commercially minded legal professional who brings sound judgement, intellectual curiosity and a collaborative mindset. You should be comfortable operating in ambiguity, asking better questions, building trusted relationships and providing advice that enables the business while protecting the firm. The successful candidate will demonstrate ownership, professional maturity and the ability to make confident, values-led decisions.

What we offer you

EY offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with your experience, where you will be rewarded for your individual and team performance. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and support flexible working arrangements as guided by firm policy.

• Continuous learning: Develop the mindset and future-focused skills to navigate what comes next.
• Success as defined by you: Access the tools, flexibility and experiences to make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: Gain insights, coaching and confidence to grow as a trusted professional and leader.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: Be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence?

Apply today and join EY Malaysia’s General Counsel’s Office to help enable responsible growth, trusted advice and a better working world.