Lead Legal Counsel (Contracts)
Sumsub · APAC
- Hybrid
- Contract
- $150,000 / year
- APAC
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Job highlights
- Lead contract review, drafting, and negotiation.
- Provide strategic legal guidance and risk assessment.
- Improve contract management processes and automation.
- Advise cross-functional teams on legal matters.
- Manage a small legal team.
About the role
About Sumsub
Sumsub is a leading full-cycle verification platform that enables scalable compliance. From identity and business verification to ongoing monitoring, our platform adapts to different risk appetites and market demands, ensuring global compliance. It allows customizing analytics and workflows with a no-code interface.
Over 4,000 clients — including Bitpanda, Wirex, Avis, Bybit, Vodafone, Duolingo, Kaizen Gaming, and TransferGo — trust Sumsub to accelerate growth, prevent fraud, and maintain compliance worldwide.
About the Role
We’re seeking a seasoned Lead Legal Counsel to support and scale Sumsub’s Contracts Team growth in the APAC and MENA regions. This role includes both individual contribution and legal management, while focusing on managing complex contractual matters, resolving high-impact legal issues, and driving continuous process improvement across the Contacts Team.
What You Will Be Doing
- Leading the review, drafting, and negotiation of complex and high-value commercial contracts, including service, partnership, vendor, and supplier agreements.
- Providing strategic guidance and risk-based assessment of contractual terms to support business goals while maintaining compliance and risk control.
- Designing, implementing, and refining contract management processes, including the introduction of automation tools and workflow improvements to enhance efficiency.
- Supporting and advising cross-functional teams (Sales, Customer Operations, Product, Finance, etc.) on complex contract-related matters.
- Managing a small-size team.
About You
Must have
- University degree in law (LL.B., preferably LL.M.).
- 6+ years of experience as a Legal Counsel or Senior Counsel, ideally in an international tech environment.
- Extensive experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements governed under Singapore Law and English law.
- Proven experience with legal process improvement and contract lifecycle management tools.
- Proactive approach and ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Solid understanding of common law principles, data protection and privacy laws, including GDPR, and other major regulatory frameworks.
- Advanced proficiency in Mandarin Chinese would be a plus.
Nice to have
- Experience in IT, fintech, or regtech companies.
- Familiarity with AML/KYC and other compliance-related principles.
What We Offer
- Remote-first, trust-based culture. Work from the place that works best for you.
- True flexibility. Adjust your working hours as long as your day stays productive.
- Extra time off. Birthday is a holiday, plus 10 personal days, 7 sick days, and extra time for Christmas and New Year.
- Work that matters. Mission to build a secure, accessible, and inclusive digital world.
- Compensation. Fair and transparent pay, benchmarked to the market.
- Truly global. Work across continents and time zones with international teammates and customers.
- Growth built in. Clear goals, open feedback, personal development plans, and learning opportunities.
- Team offsites. Fully covered trips to meet, collaborate, and recharge.
- Getting you set up. Access to necessary tools and hardware.
- Friendly by design. Human, open, and kind culture that welcomes individuality.
Hiring Stages
TA screening -> Hiring Manager Interview -> Assignment -> Final Interview.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are a global community of innovators, creators, and thinkers, and we believe that diversity fuels our innovation. Sumsub is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Join us in shaping the future inclusively.
Key skills/competency
- Lead Legal Counsel
- Contracts Management
- Commercial Agreements
- Legal Process Improvement
- Risk Assessment
- Singapore Law
- English Law
- GDPR
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Team Management
Skills & topics
- Legal Counsel
- Contracts
- Commercial Agreements
- Legal Management
- Risk Management
- Singapore Law
- English Law
- GDPR
- Tech Law
- Fintech
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your extensive experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements under Singapore and English law, emphasizing your legal process improvement skills.
- Showcase tech experience: Emphasize your background in international tech environments and familiarity with contract lifecycle management tools to align with Sumsub's needs.
- Demonstrate proactive leadership: Prepare to discuss how you've managed multiple priorities, driven process improvements, and led teams in fast-paced settings.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss complex contractual scenarios, risk assessment strategies, and your experience with data protection laws like GDPR.
Technical preparation
Master drafting and negotiation of complex contracts.,Study Singapore and English contract law principles.,Familiarize with contract lifecycle management tools.,Review GDPR and data protection regulations.
Behavioral questions
Describe managing multiple legal priorities effectively.,How have you improved legal processes or workflows?,Discuss a challenging contract negotiation you led.,How do you advise cross-functional teams on risk?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the typical career path for a Lead Legal Counsel at Sumsub?
- While specific paths vary, a Lead Legal Counsel at Sumsub can grow into a more senior legal leadership role, potentially overseeing larger teams or expanding their responsibilities across more complex international markets. Opportunities often arise from demonstrating strong leadership, strategic impact, and a commitment to continuous improvement within the legal function.
- How does Sumsub support professional development for its Lead Legal Counsel?
- Sumsub invests in employee growth through clear goals, open feedback, and personalized development plans. They also provide learning opportunities and cover role-specific events, ensuring you have the resources to enhance your skills and advance your career.
- What is the expected level of autonomy in the Lead Legal Counsel role at Sumsub?
- Sumsub fosters a remote-first, trust-based culture with true flexibility. As a Lead Legal Counsel, you can expect a high degree of autonomy in managing your workload, adjusting your hours, and implementing process improvements, as long as you maintain productivity and team alignment.
- How does Sumsub handle legal compliance in the APAC and MENA regions for this role?
- The Lead Legal Counsel will be instrumental in supporting and scaling Sumsub’s Contracts Team for these regions. This involves providing strategic guidance, conducting risk-based assessments, and ensuring all contractual activities align with local regulations and Sumsub's compliance standards.
- What kind of team will the Lead Legal Counsel manage at Sumsub?
- You will manage a small-size team of legal professionals. The focus will be on effective leadership, driving process improvements, and fostering a collaborative environment within the Contracts Team.
- Is proficiency in Mandarin Chinese required for the Lead Legal Counsel position at Sumsub?
- Advanced proficiency in Mandarin Chinese is considered a plus, not a mandatory requirement. While it can be beneficial given the focus on APAC and MENA regions, strong legal expertise and experience are the primary qualifications.