Head of Legal & Compliance APAC (1 year fixed term contract)

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an accomplished legal and compliance professional to take on a pivotal role as Head of Legal and Compliance for the Asia Pacific region, based in Singapore.

This one-year fixed term contract offers you the chance to lead a highly skilled team, shaping the local strategy and providing expert guidance across legal, compliance, and financial crime matters. In this high-profile position, your deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and significant experience within financial services will be highly valued as you collaborate with senior stakeholders locally and globally. You will play a key part in maintaining a robust control environment while driving continuous improvement in processes and practices.

• Take on a senior leadership role overseeing legal, compliance, and financial crime functions across the Asia Pacific region, with direct exposure to executive-level stakeholders.
• Enjoy flexible working opportunities that support your work-life balance, including hybrid working arrangements and adaptable hours tailored to your needs.
• Be recognised as a subject matter expert in your field, making a tangible impact on business outcomes while nurturing the growth and development of a talented team.

What you'll do:

As Head of Legal and Compliance Asia Pacific, you will play an instrumental role in guiding the organisation through an evolving regulatory landscape. Your day-to-day responsibilities will centre around managing a diverse team of professionals who specialise in legal affairs, compliance frameworks, and financial crime prevention. You will act as a trusted advisor to senior management—both locally in Singapore and globally—ensuring that all advice provided is accessible to non-specialists while minimising risk exposure. By fostering collaboration between internal teams and external advisers, you will help deliver seamless support for transactions and projects.

• Oversee the delivery of timely, accurate, and cost-effective legal, compliance, and financial crime advice to internal stakeholders across the Asia Pacific region.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a multidisciplinary team of legal, compliance, and financial crime specialists to achieve high performance standards.
• Coordinate with external advisers and other partners to ensure successful completion of transactions, projects, and advisory work within agreed timelines.
• Translate complex legal concepts into clear guidance for non-legal colleagues to support informed decision-making throughout the business.
• Maintain strong relationships with senior leaders locally—including the APAC CEO—and globally within compliance and legal teams to ensure alignment on strategic priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying efficiencies in operating practices and processes while upholding a robust control environment.
• Champion proactive succession planning and create development opportunities for team members to foster ongoing professional growth.
• Monitor changes in relevant laws, regulations, and market developments; share insights with stakeholders to keep the organisation ahead of emerging risks.
• Evaluate issues of strategic, legal or reputational importance; provide direction on how these should be addressed or resolved effectively.

What you bring:

To excel as Head of Legal and Compliance Asia Pacific, you will bring an impressive track record from senior roles within global financial institutions where you have demonstrated sound judgement navigating complex regulatory environments. Your background as either a solicitor or barrister equips you with technical proficiency in interpreting legislation relevant to banking operations in Singapore.

• Extensive experience as a solicitor or barrister within the financial services sector with comprehensive knowledge of industry-specific regulations.
• Proven ability to organise, lead, motivate, and nurture professional teams towards shared goals in a supportive manner.
• Expertise in Singaporean financial services law with demonstrable engagement with regulatory authorities such as MAS.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills enabling you to build lasting relationships at executive levels both locally and internationally.
• Strong analytical abilities allowing you to identify issues of strategic significance—be they legal or reputational—and determine effective solutions.
• Up-to-date awareness of evolving legal frameworks coupled with the capacity to communicate relevant developments clearly across the business.
• Commitment to continuous learning for yourself and your team by sharing knowledge about new market trends or regulatory changes.
• A collaborative approach that values teamwork across disciplines while promoting open communication channels.

What sets this company apart:

The organisation stands out for its genuine commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where every individual is empowered to succeed. Flexible working arrangements—including hybrid models and adaptable hours—are not just policies but integral aspects of daily life here.

What's next:

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact at the highest level while enjoying flexibility in how you work —apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.
Robert Walters (Singapore) Pte Ltd
ROC No.: 199706961E | EA Licence No.: 03C5451
EA Registration No.: R1985549 ShiHua Goh