Principal Legal Counsel, Dispute Resolution

ABOUT US

PayerMax (www.payermax.com) is a global fintech company rooted in emerging markets, offering seamless global payment solutions, including acquiring, payouts, and collections. Beyond payments, we deliver value-added services such as risk management, foreign exchange, multi-currency accounts, payment marketing, and tax services, designed to simplify and enhance the global payment experience

Driven by a long-term strategic vision, we have steadily expanded our global payment network since our founding in 2018 and now serve over 150 markets worldwide. We've built local offices in 18 countries and secured financial licenses and regulatory accreditations in key regions including Singapore, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong (China), Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Rooted in emerging markets, our mission is to help merchants make the most of every minute and every cent, while continuing to drive innovation in digital finance

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the company's Principal Legal Counsel specializing in dispute resolution, this role will be responsible for managing and resolving litigation, arbitration, regulatory investigations and crisis matter across the company's domestic and overseas markets. The role will provide high-quality legal support for dispute prevention, dispute resolution, regulatory enforcement responses and cross-border risk management, to protect the company's assets, reputation and long-term interests

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Dispute Resolution and Litigation

• Manage and handle litigation, arbitration, mediation, administrative proceedings and labor disputes
• Develop dispute resolution strategies; manage evidence collection, preservation, enforcement and settlement negotiations
• Handle cross-border disputes and coordinate proceedings in overseas markets, especially Southeast Asia and the Middle East
• Advice on contractual disputes, claims, terminations, indemnities and other pre-dispute and dispute matters

Regulatory Investigations and Crisis Management

• Handle legal responses in regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, penalties and sudden crises
• Assist the Compliance Department in responding to regulatory inquiries, examinations, investigations and penalty responses
• Conduct or support internal investigations, whistleblowing investigations and employee misconduct cases
• Provide legal advice on AML/CFT, KYC, sanctions, data privacy, consumer protection and cross-border compliance in dispute and investigation contexts

External Counsel and Budget

• Select, manage and evaluate external counsel; control external legal fees and case budgets
• Build and maintain relationships with external law firms and dispute resolution specialists in key jurisdictions

Knowledge Management and Reporting

• Monitor legal and judicial developments in key markets; assess impact and propose response plans
• Maintain dispute case records, reports and knowledge management materials

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with other departments, provide actionable legal solutions for business innovation, balancing legal risk and business objectives

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or above in law; passed China's National Unified Legal Professional Qualification Examination or possesses equivalent qualification in another jurisdiction
• 10+ years of legal experience, including at least 5 years focused on dispute resolution; combined law firm and in-house counsel background preferred
• Prior experience working at a prosecutor's office or law enforcement agency is preferred
• Experience in internet, finance and related fintech industries is preferred
• Experience in cross-border dispute resolution and legal support in overseas markets, especially Southeast Asia and the Middle East, is preferred
• Experience supporting regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, license-related disputes or cross-border business disputes is preferred
• Excellent Chinese and English skills; able to draft, review and negotiate contracts and legal documents in Chinese and English
• Business acumen, integrity, strong judgment and ability to work under pressure; excellent communication and cross-cultural collaboration skills
• Willing to travel internationally; able to adapt to a fast-paced, multi-jurisdictional and cross-cultural work environment