Chief Legal Officer (Remote First)

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 2,500,000 - 5,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Equity options

Remote-first with stipend for home set

Health, dental, vision insurance

Professional development stipend

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Chief Legal Officer to lead and scale the legal function in a remote-first FinTech environment. The role requires overseeing governance, regulatory compliance, IP, and commercial contracts on a global scale.

The ideal candidate has 12+ years as an attorney with 5+ years in senior leadership within FinTech or tech, and a proven ability to build world-class legal teams in fast-growing companies.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney with 12+ years of legal experience in FinTech/tech.
• At least 5 years in senior leadership (GC/CLO) roles.
• Strong knowledge of financial services regulations and data privacy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's legal strategy aligned with business goals.
• Oversee corporate governance, board resolutions, and compliance with laws.
• Ensure comprehensive compliance with financial services regulations and data privacy laws globally.
• Manage and protect the company's IP portfolio.

Skills

Regulatory strategy

Leadership

Corporate governance

Data privacy

Contract negotiation

Education

Law degree / admission as attorney

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a groundbreaking FinTech startup with a global user base and a vision to revolutionize financial services, is seeking a visionary and highly experienced Chief Legal Officer (CLO). This is a leadership role that operates on a remote-first basis, offering unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to build and lead the legal function of a rapidly scaling enterprise. The CLO will be responsible for overseeing all legal aspects of the company, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance (particularly in the financial services and technology sectors), intellectual property, commercial contracts, and litigation management. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with extensive experience in FinTech, regulatory affairs, and building high‑performing legal teams. This role requires a deep understanding of the complex regulatory landscape governing digital finance and emerging technologies. Our client is committed to fostering a culture of innovation, integrity, and compliance. The CLO will be a key member of the executive leadership team, providing strategic legal counsel to drive the company's ambitious growth plans. This position requires exceptional leadership qualities, strong business acumen, and the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic, and fully remote environment. The successful candidate will shape the legal strategy and operations for a company poised for significant market impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's legal strategy in alignment with business objectives.
• Oversee all corporate governance matters, including board resolutions, shareholder agreements, and compliance with corporate laws.
• Ensure comprehensive compliance with financial services regulations, data protection laws (e.g., POPIA, GDPR), and other relevant legislation globally.
• Manage and protect the company's intellectual property portfolio.
• Lead the negotiation and drafting of key commercial agreements, including partnerships, vendor contracts, and licensing agreements.
• Oversee all litigation and dispute resolution matters.
• Build, lead, and mentor a world‑class legal and compliance team, operating remotely.
• Advise the executive leadership team and Board of Directors on legal risks and opportunities.
• Develop and implement robust internal policies and procedures to ensure ethical conduct and legal compliance.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and regulatory bodies worldwide.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney with a minimum of 12 years of progressive legal experience, with at least 5 years in a senior legal leadership role (e.g., General Counsel, CLO) within the FinTech, financial services, or technology sectors.
• Extensive experience navigating complex regulatory environments (e.g., FCA, SEC, FSCA).
• Proven ability to build and manage a legal and compliance function in a high‑growth, remote‑first company.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, leadership, and decision‑making skills.
• Strong understanding of corporate finance, intellectual property, data privacy, and commercial contracts.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience in managing international legal and regulatory challenges.
• Comfort and proficiency in working autonomously in a remote environment.
• Strategic vision to anticipate future legal and regulatory trends impacting the FinTech industry.
• Unquestionable integrity and a strong ethical compass.

Benefits

• This executive‑level role offers a highly competitive compensation package, including a significant base salary, substantial equity options, and performance‑based bonuses.
• Our client provides comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, along with generous paid time off.
• As a remote‑first company, we support home office setup and provide stipends for professional development and wellness.
• Employees benefit from the flexibility and autonomy of working from anywhere, coupled with regular virtual team‑building activities and opportunities for global collaboration.
• Our client fosters a culture of innovation, empowerment, and continuous learning, offering unique challenges and rewards in the rapidly evolving FinTech space.
• This is an opportunity to make a profound impact on a global scale.