About the Role
We are seeking a seasoned General Counsel / Head of Legal to lead the global legal and compliance function for a rapidly growing technology company operating in regulated industries. This is a senior leadership role responsible for building and managing the legal strategy, ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions, and acting as a trusted advisor to the executive team and Board of Directors.
The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in SaaS, RegTech, FinTech, cybersecurity, or compliance-driven industries, and a proven ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes across Americas, EMEA, and APAC. This role requires a mix of strategic thinking, hands-on legal expertise, and commercial acumen, with the ability to proactively identify risks and enable business growth at scale.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Strategy & Governance
* Develop and implement the company's global legal and compliance strategy aligned with business growth objectives.
* Advise the Board and executive leadership on legal, regulatory, and governance matters.
* Ensure strong corporate governance frameworks and policies across global entities.
Commercial & Contract Management
* Lead negotiations for enterprise SaaS contracts, licensing agreements, and strategic partnerships.
* Draft, review, and approve contracts with customers, vendors, and partners to minimize risks and maximize business value.
* Standardize contract frameworks and streamline deal-closing processes for scalability.
Regulatory Compliance
* Oversee compliance with AML, KYC, data privacy (GDPR, CCPA, PDPA, etc.), cybersecurity, and financial regulations across multiple jurisdictions.
* Act as the primary contact for regulators, auditors, and external counsel globally.
* Monitor legal and regulatory developments that may impact business operations and proactively implement changes.
Risk Management & Disputes
* Identify, evaluate, and mitigate legal and commercial risks.
* Manage litigation, disputes, and investigations in collaboration with external counsel.
* Implement effective risk management and compliance training programs across the organisation.
Team Leadership
* Build, mentor, and lead an internal legal and compliance team with global coverage.
* Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Product, Finance, and HR to provide proactive legal support.
* Foster a culture of accountability, compliance, and ethical business practices.
Key Requirements
* Experience: 12+ years of progressive legal experience, with at least 5 years in a General Counsel / Head of Legal role within SaaS, FinTech, RegTech, or other compliance-driven industries.
* Regulatory Expertise: Strong knowledge of AML, KYC, data protection, and financial regulations across Americas, EMEA, and APAC.
* Contracts & Commercial: Demonstrated experience leading enterprise SaaS contracts, licensing, and cross-border negotiations.
* Leadership: Proven ability to build and scale a global legal function, including hiring and mentoring legal and compliance professionals.
* Commercial Acumen: Strong business orientation, able to balance legal risk with strategic and commercial objectives.
* Education: Law degree (JD, LLB, or equivalent) from a top-tier institution; admission to practice in a major jurisdiction.
* Personality: Strategic, pragmatic, and solutions-driven, with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
What We Offer
* Opportunity to lead the legal and compliance function at a fast-growing global technology company.
* High-impact leadership role with visibility at Board and executive levels.
* Competitive executive compensation, including performance-based incentives.
* Dynamic, collaborative, and innovation-driven culture.