[L&C] Lead Licensing Counsel
On-site · Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Job Summary
Lead Licensing Counsel responsible for end-to-end licensing for new market entries globally, including application preparation, submission, regulatory engagement, and ongoing compliance. Drive jurisdictional assessments, coordinate licensing applications and documentation, liaise with regulators and external counsel, monitor global regulatory developments, maintain a global licensing tracker, align licensing requirements with internal stakeholders, support post-licensing obligations, prepare leadership briefings, and build relationships with external legal advisors. Requires a law degree and 2-5 years in regulatory law/compliance in fintech/crypto, experience with licence applications, familiarity with VASP/EMI regimes, and strong drafting, communication, and PM skills. Preferred: direct crypto licensing experience and multi-jurisdiction exposure; in-house crypto/fintech experience advantageous.
Required Qualifications
- Law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)
- 2-5 years of experience in regulatory law, licensing, or compliance — with meaningful exposure to financial services, fintech, or cryptocurrency
- Demonstrated experience with licence applications or regulatory approvals (e.g., VASP, MPI, EMI, broker-dealer, or equivalent authorisations)
- Understanding of global licensing frameworks for virtual asset service providers and/or financial institutions
- Strong legal research, drafting, and analytical skills with the ability to distil complex regulatory requirements into actionable advice
- Excellent project management skills — ability to manage multiple licensing workstreams across jurisdictions simultaneously
- Strong written and verbal communication in English; additional languages relevant to target jurisdictions are a plus
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, decentralised, and globally distributed team
- Collaborative mindset and a good team player with the ability to work closely with internal teams as well as independently
- Fast learner, able to hit the ground running. takes ownership of projects, has pride in the work
Apply with one swipe on Sorce. We auto-fill applications and apply on your behalf — no cover letters, no 40-minute forms.
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.