Senior Legal Counsel

Job Description

Role Purpose

To provide legal and commercial support to Wano’s B2B travel distribution business, including the distribution of airline inventory, ancillary products, hotel and other travel products, and related technology and partnership arrangements.

The role is responsible for identifying and managing legal and regulatory risks, supporting commercial negotiations and ensuring Wano’s business activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and Group policies.

Key Responsibilities

1. Commercial & Contract Management

• Draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements with airlines, travel agencies, OTAs, aggregators, travel suppliers, technology providers and other business partners.
• Advise on key contractual matters including liability, indemnities, payment, settlement, termination, confidentiality, intellectual property, data protection and dispute resolution.
• Review and maintain standard legal templates and terms and conditions.
• Provide timely and commercially practical legal advice to the business on contractual and operational matters.
• Support the business in managing contractual obligations, renewals, amendments and terminations.

2. Travel & Regulatory

• Advise on legal and regulatory requirements applicable to Wano’s travel distribution and travel agency activities.
• Support licensing, regulatory and compliance matters relating to Wano’s business.
• Monitor relevant changes in Malaysian and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Advise on regulatory risks arising from the distribution of airline inventory, ancillary products, hotel products and travel packages.

3. Aviation & Distribution

• Provide legal support for agreements relating to the distribution of airline flight inventory and ancillary products.
• Advise on booking, ticketing, refunds, cancellations, settlement, chargebacks and related contractual matters.
• Support arrangements with AirAsia and other airlines, travel agents, OTAs, aggregators and B2B partners.
• Advise on new distribution models, products and partnerships.

4. Technology & Data

• Review technology, platform, API, system integration and service agreements.
• Advise on data protection, privacy, cybersecurity and data-sharing requirements.
• Support legal review of new digital travel products and technology-enabled business initiatives.

5. Corporate & Governance

• Provide corporate legal support to Wano.
• Prepare and review board and shareholder resolutions, authorisations and corporate documents.
• Support corporate governance and statutory compliance matters.
• Coordinate with Group Legal and company secretarial functions where required.

6. Disputes & Risk Management

• Identify and assess legal and contractual risks affecting Wano.
• Manage and advise on contractual disputes, claims and potential liabilities.
• Coordinate with external counsel on litigation, arbitration and other contentious matters.
• Escalate material legal risks to management.

7. Business & Strategic Support

• Provide legal support for new products, strategic partnerships, business initiatives and expansion into new markets.
• Conduct or coordinate legal due diligence where required.
• Work closely with commercial, finance, technology, compliance and operations teams to ensure legal requirements are incorporated into business decisions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law and/or professional legal qualification.
• Malaysian-qualified lawyer is preferred.
• 10–15 years’ relevant legal experience, preferably with in-house, aviation, travel, technology, e-commerce or commercial experience.
• Strong experience in drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Experience in cross-border transactions and technology-related agreements is an advantage.
• Good understanding of corporate, commercial, regulatory and data protection matters.