Legal Counsel - Financial Services

Job Purpose

The role entails delivering proactive and impartial legal guidance across diverse issues to ensure the smooth operation of our organization. This includes legislative drafting, providing robust corporate and commercial legal counsel to the organization and its affiliates, leading strategic legal projects, and aiding dispute resolution when necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as an integral part of the Legal Department, offering comprehensive legal services encompassing regulatory, corporate, commercial, policy, strategic, and company secretarial areas for the organization and its network.
• Deliver practical, business-focused legal advice on a broad range of matters linked to the operations and functions of all business units within the organization and its subsidiaries.
• Act as a trusted advisor to various departments, supporting them in reaching their strategic aims and operational objectives.
• Provide counsel on, and oversee the drafting or revision of, the organization's legislative documents such as Regulations and Rules, along with manuals, policies, and procedures, incorporating input from stakeholders.
• Advise on the creation and regulation of diverse corporate entities.
• Prepare, review, and give advice on numerous commercial contracts and related documentation, including those used for marketing and litigation purposes.
• Lead or participate in internal or external regulatory investigations, including those conducted jointly with other governmental bodies.
• Support and, where necessary, lead engagements with State authorities to address strategic challenges by advocating policies, shaping favorable outcomes, drafting opinions, and preparing official responses.
• Manage the involvement of outside counsel, ensuring the delivery of legal services that are cost-effective, timely, and within budget constraints.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• A Bachelor of Law degree from a recognized university in a developed common law jurisdiction with excellent academic records.
• Advanced studies or certifications relevant to the financial services sector are advantageous.
• Membership and professional admission to the Law Society or equivalent body in a developed common law jurisdiction.
• At least seven years of pertinent experience at a prominent international law firm or in-house legal entities, specializing in advising on financial services regulation, policy formulation, and drafting, as well as engagement with financial centers and government agencies.
• Expertise in counseling on the operational and policy frameworks of financial services organizations, including well-known bodies such as FATF, IOSCO, OECD, SEC (USA), FCA (UK), and ESMA (EU).
• Knowledgeable in emerging financial service issues, especially relating to Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT), and Ultimate Beneficial Ownership standards.