Location: Singapore (Hybrid) with possible business travels across MENA and APAC counties (Approx 20% frequency)
Reporting To: Co-Founders / Managing Directors
Contract Type: Part Time
Start Date: ASAP
Salary Package: SGD 9,000 – 10,000 / Month (depending on potential & experience)
Benefits: Medical insurance (single person basis)
Other Benefits:
•Great career opportunity
•Privilege to evolve in a fast-growing and dynamic startup in an International environment
About Our Client
Our client is a fast-growing fintech startup based in Singapore, specializing in an online platform for buying and selling gold and silver. With additional branches in Hong Kong and Dubai, the company caters to investors and collectors seeking secure, transparent, and convenient precious metals trading.
The company differentiates itself through real-time pricing, insured storage solutions, and seamless digital transactions, targeting both retail and institutional clients. Our client has quickly expanded across Asia and the Middle East, capitalizing on growing demand for alternative investments.
Backed by a tech-driven approach, it integrates blockchain verification for asset authenticity and offers flexible liquidation options. Its user-friendly platform appeals to millennial investors and high-net-worth individuals looking for inflation-hedged assets.
With a strong presence in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai, our client leverages tax-efficient jurisdictions and strategic partnerships with vaulting providers. The startup is positioned as a modern alternative to traditional bullion dealers, combining fintech innovation with commodity trading expertise.
Its rapid growth reflects increasing interest in digital gold platforms, especially in volatile economic climates. The company plans further expansion into Europe and Southeast Asia, reinforcing its mission to make precious metals investing accessible, secure, and efficient.
Role Overview
As General Counsel, you will be the chief legal architect of the business. You will operate at the intersection of financial services, physical commodity supply chains, and international trade. This is not a siloed legal role; you will be a key member of the executive leadership team, helping to navigate geopolitical risks, regulatory shifts, and high-value commercial deals. You must possess deep, on-the-ground experience in both the Singapore and Dubai precious metals ecosystems.
Key Responsibilities
1. Regional Regulatory Strategy & Compliance
– Lead all regulatory interactions and licensing efforts with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), specifically regarding payment services, digital tokens (if applicable), and commodity trading.
– Manage legal and compliance obligations in the Dubai market, liaising with authorities such as the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).
– Advise on the regulatory classification of physical gold/digital certificates and ensure compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) regulations specific to the precious metals supply chain.
2. Commercial & Commodities Law
– Draft, review, and negotiate complex high-value contracts, including:
– Supply Agreements: Master bullion purchase/sale agreements with refineries and wholesale banks.
– Logistics & Vaulting: Warehousing, vaulting, and insured transportation agreements for physical metals.
– Distribution: Partnership agreements with distributors and agents in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
– Advise on trade finance structures, letters of credit, and inventory monetization strategies.
3. Corporate Governance & Risk
– Act as Company Secretary (or oversee the function), ensuring board governance standards meet the expectations of institutional investors.
– Develop and implement group-wide policies regarding sanctions compliance (specifically OFAC and UN sanctions on bullion sourcing).
– Identify and mitigate legal risks related to fintech product development, including terms of use, custody disclosures, and consumer protection.
4. Cross-Border Structuring
– Advise on corporate structuring to optimize tax efficiency and legal liability protection across Singapore, UAE, and other target jurisdictions.
– Manage intellectual property strategy, including trademark protection for the platform in key Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
Qualifications & Experience
Essentials:
– Qualification: Admitted as a lawyer (Solicitor, Barrister, or equivalent) in a common law jurisdiction. Qualification in Singapore or England & Wales is highly preferred.
– Experience: 8+ years of post-qualification experience (PQE) with a mix of top-tier private practice and in-house experience.
– Industry Deep-Dive: Proven track record in the precious metals / bullion sector. You must understand the difference between allocated and unallocated metal, Good Delivery lists, and the operational nuances of vaulting physical inventory.
– Regional Expertise: Deep, demonstrable experience in both Singapore and Dubai.
– Singapore: You know how MAS views precious metals as compared to securities.
– Dubai: You have worked with DMCC and understand the UAE’s position as a global bullion hub.
– Fintech Fluency: Experience working in a fast-paced tech environment or digital asset platform.
Desirable:
– Experience with commodities derivatives or structured products.
– Language skills: Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in Mandarin, a European Language and / or Arabic is a strong plus (to facilitate dealings with counterparties in China and the Middle East).
Competencies
– Commercial Acumen: You say “no” by offering a “yes, if…” You are a business enabler, not a roadblock.
– Cultural Intelligence: High EQ capable of navigating the business cultures of Southeast Asia and the Middle East simultaneously.
– Resilience: Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid pivots in strategy.
– Hands-On Mentality: This is a lean team; you will be drafting contracts yourself, not just managing external counsel.
What They Offer
– Executive Leadership: A seat at the table with direct influence on the company’s expansion strategy.
– Global Exposure: High-stakes work spanning Singapore, Dubai, and international commodity hubs (London/New York).
– Compensation: Highly competitive tax-efficient salary package (commensurate with experience) plus equity/performance bonus.
– Location: Based in Singapore with potential travels to Dubai.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Key Responsibilities
Ideal Candidate Profile
Why Join them?
– Play a pivotal role in shaping a disruptive fintech/wealth management hybrid brand.
– Work across dynamic markets (Singapore, HK, Dubai) with high-growth potential.
– Competitive salary
– Hybrid flexibility with a collaborative, ambitious team.
