Principal Counsel, Fintech & Payments (Bangkok Based, Relocation Provided)

Bangkok, Thailand

Get to Know our Team: 

In the age of technology, things are constantly changing. The travel market is much the same, being more dynamic and complex than ever. Agoda’s Legal team is well suited to take on the challenges presented, adopting a proactive mindset to tackle challenges and solve problems. We are quick on our feet, decisive, and collaborate with multiple departments. We hire out-of-the-box thinkers that are well grounded with ethics and legal knowledge to ensure that Agoda achieves the right results, the right way. 

The Opportunity:

Agoda is seeking a highly skilled Principal Counsel, Fintech & Payments, to join our innovative and growing FinTech Legal Team. This pivotal role involves navigating the complex landscape of both regulated and non-regulated FinTech and Payment activities. You will be instrumental in assessing our FinTech/Payment products, shaping the regulatory strategy to launch and scale those products and embedded finance solutions in APAC and across the globe, and driving strategic legal initiatives. You will lead complex projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and provide expert legal advice on our relationships with financial and payment services providers. This position offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the dynamic FinTech industry, based in the vibrant city of Bangkok, and contribute to Agoda’s growth and success.

What you’ll get to do:

• Directly reporting to the Senior Director – Legal, FinTech & Payments, provide strategic legal guidance and sound decision-making to enable compliant delivery of Agoda’s FinTech/Payments-related products or partnerships globally.
• Lead complex financial and payment services’ projects and collaborate with stakeholders across different legal areas (Commercial, Regulatory, Consumer Protection, Privacy, etc.) and areas outside of legal (Tax, Treasury, Product, Finance Commercial).
• Manage the regulatory side by ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and card scheme requirements.
• Handle the non-regulated side, including negotiating and contracting with payment services providers.
• Document processes and decisions in knowledge repositories, frameworks, and policies.
• Ensure compliance of Agoda’s global payment collections, identify potential risks, and advise on risk mitigation.
• Develop and maintain best practices in standard contract templates and products T&Cs.
• Provide clear and actionable legal counsel to Commercial and Product stakeholders to achieve goals compliantly.
• Carry out other tasks as required to enhance the effectiveness of the Fintech Legal Team, and the wider Legal Team.

What you’ll need to succeed:

• Minimum 8 years of experience, ideally in FinTech, Payments, or Financial Services law, preferably with top-tier law firm experience and/or experience in a major Tech company.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Law; a Master’s is a plus from a respected university.
• Native or fluent English speaking and writing skills.
• Strong understanding of APAC/global financial laws, regulations, and compliance matters.
• Proactive, well-organized, with excellent writing, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Strong project management and leadership skills, capable of managing multiple assignments and prioritizing appropriately. Comfortable with working under pressure.
• Creative thinker with problem-solving abilities, and the ability to explain complex legal advice to non-legal professionals.
• Experience in advisory, research, and operationalizing financial licenses.
• Passion for FinTech and Payments, with knowledge of associated regulations, data privacy, security, consumer protection, platform liability, and marketing law.
• Experience identifying and liaising with legal counsel and other internal stakeholders around the globe.
• Experience in global or regional scope.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to work well with people at all seniority levels, ability to build strong working relationships across diverse partners and senior stakeholders.
• High attention to details and a well-organized approach to work.
• Relocation is provided.

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