Head of Legal

Minimum of 5 years of experience in a legal role, preferable in fintech
- Strong knowledge of applicable laws and regulations
- full-time, hybrid one, based in either Johannesburg or Cape Town.

An opportunity for an exceptional legal professional with authentic leadership capability, a passion for technology and a deep understanding of the complexities of financial and capital markets to join our fintech client as Head of Legal in an innovative blockchain-based financial and capital markets platform business.

**The Company**

Our client is a blockchain-based, global Financial and Capital Markets Platform. The platform it has developed in-house provides direct access to capital raising and investment for all market participants - retail and institutional.

The company offers a trusted multi-sided platform for buying, selling, issuing and owning digital assets. It compresses, streamlines and optimises the services currently provided by several traditional market gatekeepers. To date, innovation in this sector has occurred within compartmentalized market verticals such as individual Banks, exchange software providers, CSDs and other industry silos. But this company thinks differently. They genuinely live their belief that learning never stops, that curiosity fuels creativity and that markets are formed on trust. They’re proof that challenging the norm does not come easy, but it is worth it.

**The Opportunity**

The role is critical role in ensuring compliance with global regulatory frameworks, managing legal and business risks, and providing strategic legal guidance to this fast-growing organisation, and they seek an exceptional individual with authentic leadership qualities, that fits their very modern culture and will contribute to their growth and expansion.

**Why We Love This Opportunity**
- This is a forward-thinking and creative team ceaselessly driven to create the Capital Markets of the
- The company as a whole continuously challenges themselves to be at the forefront of their industry and their
- They’re a Netherlands-based company with sponsorship status. Opportunities are provided to senior team members to either gain work experience in the Netherlands office or move to become permanent members of the European team.
- Hybrid working experience: the team is based in Johannesburg and the Cape, as well as in the Netherlands and France, so they use a hybrid working model aligned to your needs.
- All employees receive a MacBook and an allocation for at-home work
- Flexibility with regard to employment contracts - they understand that different contracts enable different

**Your Contribution**

You will bring your high levels of motivation and experience in the legal profession, along with a passion for innovation and a deep understanding of financial and capital markets, playing a key role in the company, with a view to revolutionising the capital markets landscape through cutting-edge blockchain technology.

Your role will be critical role in ensuring compliance with global regulatory frameworks, managing legal and business risks, and providing strategic legal guidance in a fast-growing organisation.

**Role Summary**:

- Develop and implement the legal strategy and framework for this blockchain-based financial markets platform business, taking into account the unique challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies and evolving regulation in the financial sector per jurisdiction - South Africa, UK and EU.
- Advise the senior management and executive team on legal matters, providing guidance and insights to support decision-making and mitigate legal risks.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, including securities laws, data protection, privacy, and intellectual property rights.
- Review, draft, and negotiate various contracts and agreements, including licensing agreements, partnership agreements, service agreements, and client agreements.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product, marketing, finance, and compliance, to identify and address legal issues throughout the product development and deployment lifecycle.
- Manage external legal counsel, overseeing legal disputes, litigation, and legal due diligence
- Stay up-to-date with relevant legal developments, industry trends, and best practices to ensure the company’s legal practices remain current and aligned with regulatory changes.
- Conduct legal research and analysis, providing practical and actionable advice to stakeholders on complex legal issues related to blockchain technology, financial and capital markets, and financial services per jurisdiction.
- Develop and deliver legal training programmes to ensure awareness and compliance with legal requirements across the
- Assist in the development and maintenance of internal policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and adherence to industry
- Liaise with Regulatory Bodies, Legal Advisors and Central Banks in