Legal Associate (Fintech, Crypto, Finance)

Black Pen Recruitment; Wes-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth fintech company is looking for a Legal Associate to support its legal and regulatory functions. This role, based in Cape Town, involves drafting contracts, managing regulatory relationships, and ensuring compliance across jurisdictions. The ideal candidate holds an LLB, is an admitted attorney with at least 3 years of post-qualification experience, and has strong analytical and problem-solving skills. The position is full-time and offers hybrid work flexibility.

Qualifications

• Admitted attorney with a minimum of 3 years post-qualification experience.
• Experience in financial services, banking, and payments is essential.
• Ability to work independently and manage complex tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support new licence applications and liaise with regulators.
• Draft and negotiate contracts critical to business operations.
• Assist in maintaining corporate governance and compliance.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

LLB degree

Job description

Legal Associate (Fintech/Crypto/Finance)

Our client is a high-growth fintech company building the next generation of payment infrastructure across Africa. Their mission is to make money movement seamless, inclusive, and scalable across borders. They operate at the intersection of financial innovation and real-world impact, empowering businesses and consumers with tools to thrive in a rapidly digitizing economy.

Role Overview

The Legal Associate will support the company’s legal and regulatory functions across multiple jurisdictions, including payments, crypto assets, and financial services. The role involves drafting and negotiating contracts, assisting with new licence applications, managing regulatory and banking relationships, and maintaining corporate governance and entity compliance. This is an intermediate-level position that offers exposure to diverse legal environments and evolving fintech regulation across Africa and internationally.

Job Type: Full-time

Location: Cape Town

Workplace: Hybrid

Department: Legal

Reports To: CLCO

Level: Mid-Senior

Requirements

• LLB degree.
• Admitted attorney.
• Minimum of 3 years post-qualification experience (PQE) gained in a law firm or in-house legal department.
• PQE must be in financial services (FX/TOC, crypto assets); banking & payments (TPPP/PSP) and cross-border; contract & commercial.
• Ability to work independently in a structured and unstructured environment.
• Meticulous attention to detail and organisational abilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Comfortable with performing administrative tasks.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Licensing & Regulatory Applications: Support new licence applications across jurisdictions, liaising with regulators and external counsel where necessary. Track and maintain ongoing licence renewals and regulatory obligations.
• Contract Drafting & Negotiation: Draft, review, and negotiate commercial, vendor, and technology agreements critical to business operations. Maintain contract templates and ensure alignment with company standards.
• Corporate & Secretarial Governance: Support the formation and maintenance of corporate entities, including statutory filings, annual returns, and company registers. Prepare board resolutions and other company secretarial documents.
• Banking & Counterparty Relationships: Support onboarding documentation for banking, payment, and trading counterparties. Assist in managing ongoing legal relationships with payment service providers and liquidity partners.
• Regulatory Research & Engagement: Conduct legal research into new or evolving financial, crypto, and payments regulations. Support engagement with regulators and financial partners on compliance and policy matters.
• General Legal Support: Provide day-to-day support to the senior legal function on operational, regulatory, and strategic projects. Assist in preparing legal documents, filings, and correspondence as needed.