Associate Corporate Counsel
Job description
About the role
Airwallex is seeking an Associate Corporate Counsel to join its growing legal team in the United States, focusing on the Americas region. In this role, you will own the provision of practical, business-focused legal advice that directly supports Airwallex's expansion and operational needs across the continent. Your day-to-day work will involve close collaboration with corporate development, regulatory, and commercial teams to navigate complex legal and regulatory landscapes. You will be responsible for advising on fundraising, strategic transactions, market entry, and commercial partnerships, ensuring all activities align with applicable legal requirements. This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of high-visibility initiatives that shape the company's growth trajectory in a fast-paced, innovative environment. You will leverage your expertise in financial services and corporate law to help build the infrastructure of global banking from the ground up. If you thrive in dynamic, ambiguous situations and are motivated by impactful, mission-driven work, this role is a direct path to accelerating your career.
Key facts
What you'll do
- Provide clear, pragmatic advice on US and Americas legal and regulatory requirements impacting Airwallex entities in the region, helping teams navigate rules while enabling responsible growth.
- Support Corporate Development on fundraising rounds and strategic transactions, including due diligence, data rooms, corporate approvals, investment documentation, cap table changes and ongoing governance.
- Partner with business, Regulatory Legal and Regulatory Compliance on expansion into and launches in new markets across the Americas, including regulatory mapping, entity and licensing considerations, and corporate governance needs.
- Work closely with compliance, risk and other LRC teams globally to help align Airwallex's policies, procedures and corporate governance frameworks across jurisdictions.
- Draft, review and negotiate referral agreements, marketing and sponsorship agreements, and other commercial arrangements in collaboration with Partnerships, Marketing and GTM teams, ensuring risks are appropriately managed and documented.
- Advise on legal issues related to marketing, advertising and promotions (including claims, disclosures, digital campaigns, co‑marketing and referral programs), and support review of customer‑facing materials for legal and regulatory compliance.
- Coordinate and manage outside counsel on specialised matters across the Americas, ensuring advice is high‑quality, cost‑effective and aligned to Airwallex's risk appetite and business goals.
- Use technology and AI‑enabled tools (e.g. templates, playbooks, contract lifecycle tools, knowledge bases) to increase the speed, consistency and quality of legal work.
- Conduct in-depth analysis of regulatory obligations and translate complex rules into actionable guidance for internal stakeholders across the Americas.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with cross-functional partners to ensure legal strategies are integrated into business planning and execution.
- Monitor legal developments and emerging trends in financial services and fintech across the Americas to proactively advise on potential risks and opportunities.
- Manage legal projects from inception to completion, coordinating with internal teams and external advisors to meet deadlines and control costs.
- Contribute to the development of legal policies, procedures, and training materials to enhance compliance and operational efficiency.
- Support the prioritization and execution of initiatives that balance speed of execution with rigorous legal and regulatory compliance.
- Provide backup coverage and support for other legal functions as needed to ensure continuity and resilience of the legal operation.
- Assist in the preparation of board-level materials and high-stakes presentations related to corporate, regulatory, and transactional matters.
- Participate in the design of scalable legal frameworks that support rapid market expansion and product innovation across the Americas.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (or equivalent) from a reputable law school.
- Active membership in at least one US State Bar, in good standing.
- 3+ years of experience in financial services and corporate law, preferably gained at a fast‑growing tech or fintech company and/or a top‑tier law firm.
- Demonstrated interest in financial services regulation and the fintech industry, and willingness to go deep on payments, money transmission and related regulatory topics in the Americas.
- In‑depth knowledge of, or strong familiarity with, the legal and business environment in the Americas region, including how US federal, state and cross‑border rules impact fintech and payments businesses.
- Strong understanding of US corporate law, including governance matters relevant to privately held, high-growth companies.
- Experience advising on marketing, advertising, and promotional compliance in regulated industries.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to distill complex legal concepts for non-legal audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment with ambiguous problems and shifting priorities.
- Willingness to travel within the Americas region for meetings, regulatory engagements, and business development activities as needed.
- Proficiency with legal technology tools, including document automation, contract lifecycle management systems, and collaboration platforms.
- Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and discretion in handling sensitive information.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess risks and develop practical, business-aligned solutions.
- A team player who thrives in collaborative settings and actively seeks feedback to improve performance.
Practical notes
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