Remote Legal Counsel - Regulatory Compliance

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a qualified Legal Counsel specializing in Regulatory Compliance for a fully remote position. The ideal candidate will advise on evolving fintech regulations, AML/KYC, POPIA, and data privacy, while guiding product teams and regulators.

A minimum of seven years as an admitted SA attorney is required. You will join a global team, ensuring compliance from inception, conducting risk assessments and trainings, and participating in cross-border regulatory matters in a flexible

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with at least 7 years in regulatory compliance.
• In-depth knowledge of financial services regulations, AML/KYC, POPIA, and consumer protection.
• Experience building and implementing compliance programs.
• Ability to liaise with regulators and senior management.
• Ability to work remotely with strict deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, interpret, and advise on evolving regulatory requirements impacting fintech.
• Develop and maintain robust compliance policies and procedures.
• Conduct compliance risk assessments and internal audits to identify vulnerabilities.
• Manage regulatory filings, reporting, and regulator inquiries.
• Provide legal and compliance training to employees on laws and policies.
• Advise on data privacy regulations (e.g., POPIA) and data handling practices.
• Collaborate with product teams to ensure regulatory compliance from inception.
• Assist in investigations into potential compliance breaches.
• Stay updated on industry best practices and trends.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Legal research

Stakeholder management

Policy drafting

Remote work

Education

Admitted Attorney of the High Court (South Africa)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in the financial technology sector, is seeking a dedicated and experienced Legal Counsel specializing in Regulatory Compliance for a fully remote position. This role is critical in ensuring the company adheres to all relevant financial regulations, data privacy laws, and industry-specific compliance standards. You will work closely with compliance officers, product teams, and external regulators to interpret and implement complex regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of financial services regulation, a proactive approach to risk management, and the ability to translate complex legal mandates into practical business solutions. This is a unique opportunity to influence compliance strategies from anywhere in the world.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor, interpret, and advise on evolving regulatory requirements impacting the financial technology industry.
• Develop, implement, and maintain robust compliance policies and procedures across the organization.
• Conduct regular compliance risk assessments and internal audits to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
• Manage regulatory filings, reporting, and responses to inquiries from regulatory bodies.
• Provide legal and compliance training to employees on relevant laws and company policies.
• Advise on data privacy regulations (e.g., POPIA) and ensure compliance in data handling practices.
• Collaborate with product development teams to ensure new products and services are compliant from inception.
• Assist in managing investigations into potential compliance breaches.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and emerging compliance trends.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a minimum of 7 years of experience, with a significant focus on regulatory compliance, preferably within financial services or FinTech.
• In-depth knowledge of financial services regulations, AML/KYC requirements, data protection laws (e.g., POPIA), and consumer protection legislation.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing compliance programs.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with regulators and senior management.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities effectively, and meet strict deadlines in a remote setting.
• Experience in advising on cross-border regulatory issues is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.
• Must have a reliable internet connection and a suitable home office environment.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

• Health insurance
• Retirement contributions
• Discretionary bonus

You will be part of a forward-thinking legal team, contributing to a secure and compliant operational framework from wherever you are based, with the role having connections to areas like Paarl, Western Cape for administrative purposes.