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Il-Belt Valletta, Malta
Hybrid
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Head of EEA Legal, Deputy General Counsel based in South Africa.
The Head of EEA Legal, Deputy General Counsel will lead the legal function across the European Economic Area (EEA), shaping regulatory strategy and supporting regional business expansion in the rapidly evolving digital asset industry. Acting as the primary legal advisor for the European entity, this senior leader will provide strategic guidance on complex financial services, cryptocurrency, and blockchain matters. The role combines hands-on legal expertise, team leadership, and close collaboration with executive management and global stakeholders. You will advise on licensing, regulatory compliance, product development, commercial partnerships, and corporate governance. As a member of the European management team, you will also contribute to Board and committee discussions and represent the legal function externally. This is an influential opportunity to help navigate the legal challenges and opportunities of a fast-growing international business.
As the primary legal point of contact for the EEA entity, you will provide strategic and practical legal support across the region while helping shape its regulatory position and expansion plans.
Regional Legal Leadership: Lead the EEA legal function, manage and coordinate lawyers across the region, and ensure consistent, effective legal support and outcomes.
Strategic and Executive Advisory: Work closely with the EEA CEO, senior leadership, and global legal stakeholders to provide guidance on legal strategy, business priorities, and regulatory developments.
Regulatory Strategy and Licensing: Support regional business expansion, including licensing initiatives and legal efforts related to entering the UK market. Advise on EEA financial services and digital asset regulatory requirements.
Digital Asset and Product Advisory: Assess legal and regulatory risks associated with new and existing digital assets, and manage the legal aspects of the asset review and token listing processes.
Cross-Functional Legal Support: Advise product development, business development, institutional sales, partnerships, compliance, and other teams on a broad range of legal matters.
Commercial and Corporate Matters: Oversee contract negotiations, intellectual property and trademark enforcement, corporate governance, and other business-critical legal matters.
Marketing and Advertising: Provide legal guidance on marketing activities, advertising practices, and related regulatory obligations.
External Representation: Represent the legal function at relevant Board and committee meetings, participate in industry associations, and contribute to regulatory consultations and industry discussions.
Legal Risk Management: Manage legal requests across the business, communicate complex legal concepts clearly, and help business leaders make informed decisions while balancing legal risks and strategic objectives.
Global Collaboration: Work effectively with the wider international legal team on cross-border matters and regional initiatives.
Requirements
The ideal candidate is an experienced legal leader with substantial financial services and digital asset expertise, strong regulatory judgment, and the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced international environment.
Experience: At least 14 years of legal experience at a top-tier law firm, an in-house legal department, or a financial services regulator. Experience in cryptocurrency, digital assets, blockchain, or financial services is strongly preferred.
Education and Qualifications: Law degree from a top-tier law school and qualification to practice law in an EEA jurisdiction.
Regulatory Expertise: Deep understanding of EEA financial services and digital asset regulation, including experience working with EU regulators and maintaining financial services or crypto exchange licenses.
Digital Asset Knowledge: Practical experience advising on legal issues involving digital assets and blockchain technology, with a strong understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape.
Legal Breadth: Experience across areas such as licensing, corporate governance, contracts, intellectual property, marketing and advertising, product development, and commercial partnerships.
Leadership: Demonstrated ability to manage and develop legal teams, coordinate work across jurisdictions, and deliver consistent legal support.
Communication and Judgment: Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to explain complex legal matters to non-legal stakeholders.
Business Partnership: Ability to build trust with business teams, provide pragmatic advice, and align legal recommendations with strategic objectives.
Autonomy and Adaptability: A proactive, self-starting approach, with the ability to work independently and rely minimally on external counsel when appropriate.
Comfort with Ambiguity: Ability to navigate evolving regulations, interpret uncertain legal situations, and make sound decisions in a rapidly changing industry.
International Collaboration: Experience handling cross-jurisdictional matters and working effectively within multicultural, globally distributed teams.
Work Arrangement: Willingness to spend at least 50% of working time at the Malta-based office.
Benefits
Competitive total compensation package, including a base salary and bonus structure.
Learning and development programs.
Education subsidy to support professional growth.
Team-building initiatives and company events.
Wellness and meal allowances.
Comprehensive healthcare coverage for employees and their dependents.
Opportunity to contribute to the development of the digital asset and financial services industry.