Legal & Compliance Advisor

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and business-oriented Legal Manager to lead all legal and compliance matters for the company in Pakistan. The role will serve as the primary point of contact for legal, regulatory, corporate governance, and compliance-related affairs while closely coordinating with the headquarters in Shanghai, China. The incumbent will provide strategic legal guidance to management, ensure regulatory compliance, manage corporate documentation, and support business growth initiatives including contracts, investigations, and potential M&A activities.

Key Responsibilities

Legal & Regulatory Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for all legal and regulatory matters of the company.
• Liaise and coordinate with headquarters in Shanghai, China, and provide regular updates and reports.
• Provide legal advice and guidance to operational teams and business leaders on Pakistan laws and regulatory requirements.
• Advise the CEO and senior management on legal risks, compliance matters, and corporate governance issues.
• Communicate and maintain professional relationships with regulators including SECP, SBP, CRO, and other relevant authorities.
• Monitor ongoing compliance of company products, operations, and processes with applicable laws and regulations.
• Serve as the Designated Company Secretary and/or Legal Advisor, where required.

Contracts & Corporate Documentation

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage various agreements, contracts, and legal documents.
• Review and align bilingual documentation and translations between English and Urdu.
• Draft and review internal policies, SOPs, and governance frameworks.
• Establish and maintain an efficient contract storage and management system.
• Assist management during contract and project negotiations.
• Draft formal responses to regulatory inquiries, notices, and legal correspondences.
• Maintain, update, and safeguard corporate records, licensing documents, statutory registers, resolutions, and company books.
• Handle company secretarial matters including preparation and filing of statutory forms with SECP/CRO.

Compliance & Investigations

• Implement and coordinate compliance assessments and government-requested investigations, including AML Risk Assessment Frameworks, self-assessment declarations, digital lending app compliance, and related regulatory exercises.
• Assist in handling customer complaints, regulator inquiries, and legal disputes.
• Maintain strong working relationships with external legal counsels and consultants.

Legal Research & Advisory

• Conduct legal research and provide timely legal opinions based on operational requirements.
• Establish and maintain a legal repository/library covering laws and regulations relevant to the company’s business.
• Proactively update management and operational teams on changes in applicable laws and regulatory developments.
• Provide legal and compliance training sessions to internal stakeholders and employees.

Strategic & Ad Hoc Responsibilities

• Support and participate in potential mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and strategic projects.
• Identify legal and regulatory risks and recommend practical business-oriented solutions.
• Perform additional tasks assigned by management in relation to legal, compliance, and corporate governance matters.

Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from a top-tier law school in Pakistan is mandatory.
• International legal education (UK/US) will be considered an added advantage.
• Bar-at-Law and/or Advocate High Court qualification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 6–8 years of relevant experience in either:
• Regulatory/government authorities overseeing banks or financial institutions (e.g., SECP, SBP), or
• Microfinance Banks (MFBs), EMI-licensed companies, fintechs, or financial institutions.
• Hands-on experience in M&A transactions, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance is mandatory.
• Prior experience in fintech, digital lending, or financial services industry will be highly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of Pakistan corporate, fintech, banking, AML/CFT, and regulatory laws.
• Excellent legal drafting, negotiation, research, and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership and managerial capabilities with the ability to lead and supervise teams.
• Detail-oriented, trustworthy, and highly professional with strong confidentiality ethics.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.