Senior Counsel / Counsel, Data & Privacy

Airwallex; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the fintech sector seeks a Data & Privacy expert to guide compliance with Chinese data regulations. This role involves collaboration across teams, developing compliance programs, and providing legal counsel on privacy matters. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in privacy law, particularly in the APAC region, and will be proficient in English and Mandarin.

Qualifications

• 6-10 years post-qualification experience in fintech or technology.
• 3 years of general privacy experience with knowledge of Chinese data laws.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with teams to implement China's data regulations.
• Develop a compliance program for China data rules.
• Provide privacy counseling to Product teams.

Skills

Privacy Counseling

Communication

Legal Compliance

Education

Bar Admission

Common Law Jurisdiction

Job description

About Airwallex

Airwallex is the only unified payments and financial platform for global businesses. Powered by our unique combination of proprietary infrastructure and software, we empower over 150,000 businesses worldwide – including Brex, Rippling, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN and many more – with fully integrated solutions to manage everything from business accounts, payments, spend management and treasury, to embedded finance at a global scale.

Proudly founded in Melbourne, we have a team of over 1,700 of the brightest and most innovative people in tech across more than 37 locations around the globe. Valued at US$5.6 billion and backed by world-leading investors including Sequoia, Lone Pine, Greenoaks, DST Global, Salesforce Ventures and Mastercard, Airwallex is leading the charge in building the global payments and financial platform of the future. If you’re ready to do the most ambitious work of your career, join us.

This is a key new position established in our global Data & Privacy department, which operates as part of the broader and Legal, Risk & Compliance team. As a critical contributor reporting to the US-based Director of Data & Privacy, you'll ensure Airwallex aligns with China's privacy and data security legal framework. Your expertise will extend to providing legal counsel to the Product, Engineering, Commercial, and Marketing teams, guiding them through data and privacy regulations in China and other APAC regions.

What you'll be doing:

• Collaborate with Business leadership, Engineering, Product, and Information Security teams to implement China's data regulations (PIPL, DSL, and Cyber Security laws)

• Develop and execute a comprehensive compliance program for China data rules.

• Provide privacy counseling to Product teams, ensuring adherence to China's data regulations.

• Work closely with the Product and Legal Regulatory team on privacy by design, privacy impact assessments, and contractual support.

• Lead or support privacy counseling and contractual assistance for other APAC regions.

• Support the Director of Data & Privacy in formulating the data strategy for Airwallex's China business and operations.

• Coordinate international data flows for the broader Airwallex business.

• Engage in strategic data initiatives, with potential involvement in projects for the EU, US, and other regions.

You will bring:

• 6-10 years post-qualification experience, preferably gained in a dynamic, fast-growing digital, fintech, or technology company.

• Qualifications either through bar admission or a common law jurisdiction.

• A minimum of 3 years of general privacy experience, with a solid understanding of Chinese data laws, including the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), Data Security Law, and Cyber Security Law.

• Familiarity with other major privacy regimes such as GDPR, CCPA, PDPA, and PIPEDA.

• Professional proficiency in both English and Mandarin is essential.

• Possesses a highly commercial and practical mindset, demonstrating self-starting abilities to identify and prioritize opportunities effectively.

• Proven experience in product and privacy counseling within an agile environment.

• Demonstrate a global outlook combined with deep local knowledge.

• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

• Proven ability to work seamlessly across multiple functions, with a track record of successfully influencing a broad stakeholder group.

• Advantageous to have experience in technology, financial services, and/or within a high-growth environment.

Equal opportunity

Airwallex is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Airwallex is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent. We don’t regard color, religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital or family status, disability, gender, or any other legally protected status when making our hiring decisions. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Airwallex does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms/recruiters. Airwallex will not pay any fees to search firms/recruiters if a candidate is submitted by a search firm/recruiter unless an agreement has been entered into with respect to specific open position(s). Search firms/recruiters submitting resumes to Airwallex on an unsolicited basis shall be deemed to accept this condition, regardless of any other provision to the contrary.