Assistant Manager – Legal (Company Secretary & Compliance)

Overview

The Assistant Manager – Legal (Corporate Secretary & Compliance) plays a key role in providing strategic and operational legal support across the organization's operations in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The role is responsible for independently managing legal advisory, contract lifecycle management, compliance, intellectual property, and company secretarial functions, while ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements. 

This position partners closely with internal stakeholders and external advisors to mitigate legal risk, maintain statutory and Governance compliance, and support the organization's growth and transformation initiatives, including Axiata Group-level compliance obligations.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory & Risk Management

• Act as a primary legal advisor to business, technical, and product teams across the group
• Provide commercially sound, pragmatic, and timely legal advice, including cross-border matters
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks while supporting business enablement
• Conduct legal research and issue legal opinions on regulatory, contractual, and policy matters

Contract Management

• Independently draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, NDAs, MoUs, service agreements, and related documentation
• Manage the full contract lifecycle, including initiation, negotiation, execution, renewal, and archival
• Develop, maintain, and update standard contract templates in line with company policy and legal requirements
• Respond to RFPs, RFQs, supplier onboarding documentation, and contractual queries

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal governance frameworks
• Support regulatory filings, statutory disclosures, and internal/external audit requirements
• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date legal and compliance records

Company Secretarial Responsibilities

• Support Board and Committee meetings, including preparation of agendas, papers, and minutes
• Attend to statutory filings and compliance under the Companies Act of Sri Lanka
• Ensure timely submission of filings with the Registrar of Companies and other authorities
• Provide reports and updates related to Axiata Group compliance and company secretarial matters

Litigation & Intellectual Property Management

• Manage litigation, disputes, and claims, coordinating with external counsel as required
• Oversee the protection and management of intellectual property, including trademarks, copyrights, and patents
• Liaise with external law firms in relation to IP filings, renewals, and enforcement

Stakeholder & External Engagement

• Act as the focal point for legal and contract-related matters within project and business teams
• Liaise with external counsel, regulators, and advisors as required
• Support internal training, awareness sessions, and presentations on key legal topics

Person Specifications

Education & Professional Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in law from a recognized university
• Attorney-at-Law, admitted to practice in Sri Lanka and a member in good standing of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a legal role, with strong exposure to contract management, corporate advisory, and compliance

Knowledge

• Commercial law, contract law, and corporate governance
• Data protection, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance
• Company secretarial practices and statutory obligations

Skills

• Strong legal drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High attention to detail with a solution-oriented mindset

Abilities

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under pressure
• Capability to balance legal risk with business priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong stakeholder management skills across diverse business functions

Attitudes

• High standards of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Proactive, collaborative, and accountable approach to work
• Strong sense of ownership and continuous improvement