Senior Counsel, Governance

About the role

Oyster is seeking a Senior Counsel, Governance to join our dynamic legal team, focusing on our global expansion initiatives. In this role, you will be responsible for the legal structuring and licensing of new entities, overseeing the entire setup process to ensure compliance and readiness for audits. This position is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term opportunity that offers you the chance to take ownership of a high-profile program, requiring a blend of strategic insight and practical implementation skills.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Spearhead governance and structuring strategies for launching new direct entities, determining corporate structure, ownership, and necessary licenses.
• Oversee the practical establishment of new entities, including managing filings, selecting registered agents, appointing directors, and setting up bank accounts.
• Conduct thorough research on legal and regulatory requirements specific to each jurisdiction for entity formation and licensing.
• Draft and maintain essential corporate documents, including formation papers, board minutes, and governance policies.
• Collaborate closely with the Global Expansion team, which includes Legal, Finance, Operations, People, Payroll, and Treasury, to ensure timely launches while managing associated risks.
• Identify potential governance, licensing, and regulatory risks, and create effective solutions to mitigate them.
• Develop and document repeatable processes and playbooks for entity formation and governance to facilitate future team transitions.
• Ensure that all corporate governance practices align with best practices and regulatory standards across jurisdictions.
• Provide legal guidance and support to internal stakeholders, translating complex legal concepts into actionable plans.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changes in laws and regulations that may impact corporate governance and entity management.
• Foster strong relationships with external legal counsel, corporate secretarial providers, and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and effective communication.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor or equivalent legal qualification with a minimum of 7 years of experience in corporate governance, entity formation, and managing multi-jurisdictional entities.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining corporate entities across various jurisdictions, including hands-on execution of necessary filings and applications.
• Proven ability to interact with external counsel, corporate secretarial providers, regulators, and registered agents on a global scale.
• Comfortable holding a power of attorney to represent company directors or officers when required.
• Ability to work independently on fast-paced, ambiguous, and high-stakes projects with minimal guidance.
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgment in translating legal requirements into practical execution plans for non-legal teams.
• Experience in fast-paced, high-growth, or startup environments is highly desirable.
• Reliable home internet connection is essential for remote work.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.

Nice to have

• Previous experience with an Employer of Record (EOR), Professional Employer Organization (PEO), or global HR platform is a plus.
• Experience in creating governance playbooks or processes for effective team handoff.
• Project management experience in establishing entities across multiple jurisdictions is advantageous.
• Familiarity with corporate governance tools such as Klea, Notion, and Asana is beneficial.
• Experience with e-signature platforms like DocuSign or HelloSign and understanding of wet signature workflows.
• Knowledge of jurisdiction-specific signing formalities, including notarization, apostille, and witness requirements.
• Familiarity with Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance coverage and director indemnification agreements is a plus.

Skills & tools

• Corporate governance expertise
• Proficient in entity formation processes
• Multi-jurisdictional entity management
• Regulatory research capabilities
• Skilled in corporate documentation
• Risk identification and mitigation strategies
• Process documentation and standardization
• Familiarity with governance tools (e.g., Klea)
• Proficient in Notion and Asana for project management
• Experience with e-signature platforms (DocuSign, HelloSign)

Practical notes

This position is fully remote; however, candidates must be located within +/- 3 UTC. Oyster provides 40 days of paid time off each year, mental health support through Plumm, a monthly wellbeing allowance, flexible parental leave (minimum of three months paid), and a stipend for home office equipment. As a B Corp-certified global employment platform, Oyster is committed to creating a positive impact in the world of work.

About the company

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