Lawyer (Licensing)
Hong Kong / Hong Kong, SAR
CEO Office – Strategy /
Consultant /
Remote
We are seeking a Hong Kong-qualified Lawyer with expertise in payment services regulation, licensing, and compliance to lead our license application with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). This role will oversee the end-to-end licensing process, ensuring full compliance with Hong Kong’s Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance (PSSVFO) and related AML/CFT regulations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the global licensing which including Hong Kong payment business license application with the HKMA.
- Provide legal and regulatory advice on payment services, stored value facilities, remittance, money service operator licensing, AML/KYC, and data protection under Hong Kong law.
- Draft, review, and finalize all licensing application documents, compliance manuals, corporate governance policies, and contracts required for submission.
- Advise management on corporate structuring, capital, and governance requirements to meet HKMA standards.
- Liaise with the HKMA, regulators, external counsel, and internal stakeholders to ensure smooth communication and progress.
- Stay updated on Hong Kong payment services regulatory developments and advise on their impact to the business.
- Support the setup of risk, compliance, and internal control frameworks required for licensing.
- Coordinate with regional legal teams in the Philippines, Singapore, and other jurisdictions for cross-border regulatory alignment.
Qualifications
- Qualified Lawyer admitted to practice in Hong Kong (mandatory).
- 5+ years of post-qualification experience in financial regulatory, fintech, or payment services law.
- In-depth knowledge of the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance (PSSVFO), AMLO, and relevant HKMA guidelines.
- Proven experience supporting or leading HKMA license applications (payment business, SVF, MSO, or similar).
- Excellent communication and drafting skills in English; Cantonese/Mandarin a strong plus.
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, including regulators, consultants, and internal executives.
- Background in fintech, payments, banking, or financial institutions with Hong Kong licensing exposure.
- Experience drafting compliance frameworks (AML, risk, data privacy, consumer protection).
- Strong professional network within Hong Kong’s legal and regulatory environment.
