We are seeking a seasoned Chief Legal Officer to join the senior leadership team of a high-growth, globally expanding financial services firm specializing in advanced market making.
This strategic, hands-on role is ideal for an entrepreneurial legal executive who combines strong Common Law expertise and deep regulatory knowledge with commercial pragmatism and outstanding leadership skills. You will own the global legal, compliance, and regulatory functions, supporting aggressive geographical expansion and high-velocity business operations in a highly dynamic, flat-hierarchy environment.
You will be the primary architect and driver of the legal strategy, ensuring compliance while enabling business growth and protecting the firm’s interests across multiple jurisdictions.
What You’ll Own and Do
* Global Legal Strategy & Leadership: Lead and mentor a 12-person Legal and Compliance team, setting the strategic direction for all corporate legal, regulatory, and tax matters globally.
* Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Serve as the chief expert on complex regulatory frameworks, focusing on the Common Law jurisdictions (US/UK) and related financial services regulations (e.g., asset management, broker-dealers).
* Multi-Jurisdictional Expansion: Guide the firm's international growth, assessing legal and regulatory risks in new jurisdictions and providing pragmatic, action-oriented advice to C-suite and executive stakeholders.
* Business Partnership: Act as a critical business partner, offering solutions that enable business objectives rather than blocking initiatives, driven by strong commercial acumen.
* Operational Excellence: Oversee regulatory filings, legal documentation, internal policies, and drive the strengthening of internal controls and procedures across global operations.
What We’re Looking For
* 7–10+ years of senior legal and regulatory experience, with demonstrated leadership of legal/compliance teams.
* Mandatory Common Law Background: Law degree/education from the US or UK is required.
* Deep Financial Services Expertise: Significant in-house or relevant legal experience in highly regulated financial sectors (Asset Management, Hedge Funds, Trading Firms, Broker-Dealers).
* Demonstrated Business Acumen: A proven ability to prioritize business strategy, apply sound judgment, and provide pragmatic, solution-focused legal advice.
* Cross-Border Experience: Essential background in navigating multi-jurisdictional legal and regulatory structures, particularly for geographical expansion.
* Cultural Fit: Comfortable in a small, fast-paced, high-impact environment. A direct communicator with strong logical reasoning skills who thrives on building and shaping functions from the ground up.
What You’ll Gain
* Unrivaled Impact & Ownership: Full ownership over the firm’s global legal and compliance strategy during a phase of aggressive growth, with direct input on executive decisions.
* C-Suite Partnership: Direct, high-visibility partnership with the CEO, COO, CFO, and CCO.
* Exciting Industry Exposure: The opportunity to apply traditional financial regulatory knowledge to a high-growth, dynamic market sector.
* People-First Culture: A flat environment that favors high performance, autonomy, and long-term development.