Senior Legal Counsel, Financial Services

About the role

A growing financial services business in Sydney is looking for an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join its collaborative, commercially focused legal team. The role provides strategic legal advice across financial services, regulatory, corporate and commercial matters, with significant autonomy and direct engagement with senior stakeholders. It suits a senior in-house lawyer who wants a broad, commercially engaging role.

Key responsibilities

• Advise on Australian financial services laws, regulatory obligations and legal and commercial risks
• Support the development and introduction of new financial products, services and business initiatives
• Advise on Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) obligations and regulatory compliance
• Advise on matters involving ASIC, AUSTRAC and AML/CTF requirements
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements, including strategic partnerships
• Work with Risk and Compliance teams to identify, assess and manage legal and regulatory risks
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and advise on their implications
• Provide advice on corporate, commercial and governance matters and support product, operations, marketing and other business functions
• Manage external legal advisers and guide other members of the legal team

Required profile

• Experienced financial services lawyer with 9+ years post-qualification, ideally a mix of private practice and in-house experience
• Previous in-house experience in the financial services sector
• Experience advising on financial services products, investment platforms or regulated activities
• Current NSW practising certificate
• Highly regarded: experience with investment platforms, custody arrangements, IDPS or fintech businesses

Required skills

• Knowledge of AFSL requirements and regulatory obligations
• Understanding of AML/CTF legislation and compliance
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements
• Ability to give clear, practical, commercially focused advice and manage competing priorities independently