Remote Legal Counsel - Compliance & Regulatory

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Retirement fund

Generous annual leave

Remote work setup support

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a remote Senior Legal Counsel focused on Compliance and Regulatory matters for a fully remote role in South Africa. You will develop robust compliance programs, monitor evolving regulations, advise on product regulatory requirements, and manage regulator interactions.

The role emphasizes risk management, privacy compliance, and close collaboration with product and leadership. The position requires a LLB with SA admission and 6+ years in financial services/FinTech compliance.

Qualifications

• Law degree and admission to practice in SA.
• Strong knowledge of financial services law and regulatory regimes.
• Experience translating complex regulations into business actions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain comprehensive compliance programs and policies.
• Interpret and apply laws and standards applicable to FinTech.
• Advise on regulatory requirements for new products and services.
• Conduct regular compliance risk assessments and audits.
• Prepare and file regulatory reports and disclosures.
• Liaise with regulators and examiners.
• Deliver compliance training across the organization.
• Investigate compliance breaches and recommend corrective actions.
• Oversee data privacy and security compliance.
• Support broader legal team on regulatory and corporate matters.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

AML regulations

Data privacy

Regulatory reporting

Education

LLB

Job description

About the Role Our client, a fast-growing FinTech company, is seeking a dedicated Remote Legal Counsel specializing in Compliance and Regulatory matters to join their virtual legal team. This position is fully remote, enabling you to work from anywhere in South Africa. You will play a vital role in ensuring the company adheres to all applicable financial regulations, industry standards, and legal frameworks. Your responsibilities will include developing and implementing robust compliance programs, advising on regulatory changes, and managing relationships with regulatory bodies. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of financial services law, risk management, and a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating compliance risks. You will work closely with the compliance team, product development, and executive leadership to embed a culture of compliance. Although remote, this role has administrative ties to **Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape**.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive compliance programs and policies.
• Monitor and interpret relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards applicable to the FinTech sector.
• Advise the business on regulatory requirements for new products and services.
• Conduct regular compliance risk assessments and audits.
• Prepare and file necessary regulatory reports and disclosures.
• Act as a key liaison with regulatory authorities and examiners.
• Develop and deliver compliance training to employees across the organization.
• Investigate potential compliance breaches and recommend corrective actions.
• Manage legal aspects of data privacy and security compliance.
• Support the broader legal team on various regulatory and corporate matters.

Requirements

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or equivalent legal qualification.
• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate is highly advantageous.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in legal and compliance roles, with a significant focus on the financial services or FinTech industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in regulatory compliance, risk management, and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.
• Strong understanding of data protection laws (e.g., POPIA).
• Proven ability to interpret complex legal and regulatory requirements and translate them into practical business solutions.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a remote team environment.
• Experience with regulatory filings and interacting with financial regulators.
• Candidates must be based in South Africa and possess a strong internet connection for remote work.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a competitive salary, along with comprehensive benefits including private health insurance, a retirement fund, and generous annual leave.
• You will have the flexibility to work from anywhere in South Africa, supported by a robust remote work infrastructure.
• Our client provides excellent opportunities for professional growth and development in the rapidly evolving FinTech space.
• We cultivate a culture of innovation, integrity, and teamwork.
• This role offers the chance to shape the compliance landscape of a dynamic company, with administrative links to **Port Elizabeth**.