Job description
About Tala
Tala is on a mission to unleash the economic power of the Global Majority – the 4 billion people overlooked by existing financial systems. With nearly half a billion dollars raised from equity and debt, we are serving millions of customers across three continents. Tala has been named by the Fortune Impact 20 list, CNBC’s Disruptor 50 five years in a row, CNBC’s World’s Top Fintech Company, Forbes’ Fintech 50 list for eight years running, and Chief’s The New Era of Leadership Award. We are expanding across product offerings, countries and crypto and are looking for people who have an entrepreneurial spirit and are passionate about our mission.
By creating a unique platform that enables lending and other financial services around the globe, people in emerging markets are able to start and expand small businesses, manage day-to-day needs, and pursue their financial goals with confidence. Currently, over nine million people across Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico, and India have used Tala products. Due to our global team, we have a remote-first approach, and also have offices in Santa Monica, CA (HQ); Nairobi, Kenya; Mexico City, Mexico; Manila, the Philippines; and Bangalore, India.
Most Talazens join us because they connect with our mission. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Tala, we’d love to hear from you!
As the Lead Counsel, you’ll be responsible for legal, regulatory, and compliance workstreams for Talazen Finance India Private Limited (“Tala India”). This role will also include company secretarial duties.
What You’ll Do
- Lead on strategy and implementation of non-banking financial company (“NBFC”) license compliance and partnerships for Tala India.
- Advise on growth and product regulation for both Tala India and Tala globally, even when the regulatory regime is unclear with respect to the contemplated business objectives; working with non-legal teams to advise on product regulatory strategy and assist in structuring new lines of business.
- Manage general business regulatory compliance, secretarial compliance, corporate governance, and other legal matters for Tala India.
- Stay up to date on relevant rules and regulations affecting Tala India and collaborate with the Global Legal team to assess their potential impact on Tala’s innovative and growing business. This includes work on emerging legislation such as the regulation of digital lenders and data privacy.
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts and other documentation on a wide range of matters, including marketing, collection, and support services.
- Do all secretarial and regulatory filings required under the Companies Act, FEMA, and RBI regulations.
- Work closely with the External Affairs team to build relationships with external stakeholders and interact with regulatory bodies as needed.
- Manage external counsel and advisors to ensure timely and cost-effective services.
- Implement and maintain a comprehensive compliance structure that encompasses both regulatory obligations and policies and processes, serving as the foundation for the development, enhancement, monitoring, and oversight of Tala India’s compliance requirements.
- Monitor and follow up on the implementation of the compliance strategy into Tala’s business plans.
- Synthesize complex legal requirements into concise analyses and actionable steps.
- Identify, assess, and advise on the compliance risks associated with Tala’s current and proposed future business activities, including new products, new business relationships, and ensure implementation of effective strategies to ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and policies and processes.
- Maintain and organize legal and corporate governance documentation.
- Manage and coach direct reports in the Legal team, including mentorship and delegation of work to team members.
- Establish processes for monitoring the progress and success of the in-country legal team.
- Work with the Global Legal and Compliance teams to implement systems and procedures for complying with local requirements that are consistent with global strategies.
What You’ll Need
- 8+ years of post-qualification legal experience
- Minimum of 2+ years at a top-tier law firm
- At least 2 years working as a legal/compliance advisor to an operating NBFC
- Strong understanding of RBI regulations, Scale Base Regulation, Companies Act, FEMA, and relevant financial industry regulations and guidelines
- Preferably experience in fintech and/or working for an international company
- A law degree from a leading university or law school
- Company Secretary certification
Our vision is to build a new financial ecosystem where everyone can participate on equal footing and access the tools they need to be financially healthy. We strongly believe that inclusion fosters innovation and we’re proud to have a diverse global team that represents a multitude of backgrounds, cultures, and experience. We hire talented people regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
