Compliance & Legal Manager (cum Dpo)

About the Company
Our client is a fast-growing international fintech group with an established presence across Asia and a strong track record in digital financial services. The Group is currently establishing a new entity in Vietnam to launch a digital lending business in partnership with licensed non-bank credit institutions (NBCIs).
The Vietnam operation will follow a lean, technology-driven model, with a small number of key professionals supported by automation. As a result, each founding team member will play a critical role in building the business from the ground up.
Role Summary
The Founding Compliance & Legal Manager will be responsible for establishing the legal, regulatory compliance and data-protection framework for the new Vietnam entity.
This is a highly hands-on role, working closely with the CEO, global legal team, external counsel and partner financial institutions' compliance teams to ensure the business is fully compliant and launch-ready.
The role will also serve as the entity's statutory Data Protection Officer (DPO) under Vietnam's applicable personal data protection regulations.
Key Responsibilities
1. Data Protection & DPO
Act as the entity's registered Data Protection Officer (DPO).
Prepare, submit and maintain Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and cross-border data transfer impact assessment (OTIA) dossiers with the relevant authorities.
Manage required registrations, certifications, notifications, renewals, amendments and data-breach reporting.
Design and implement the customer consent framework covering data collection, withdrawal and record-keeping for a fully digital lending journey.
2. Regulatory Compliance - Digital Lending
Monitor and assess regulatory requirements applicable to the company's lending model and partnerships with NBCIs, including regulations relating to financial services, consumer finance, e-transactions and cybersecurity.
Identify regulatory changes and lead the implementation of necessary compliance actions.
Oversee compliance requirements relating to outsourcing arrangements and vendor data-processing activities.
3. Legal Operations
Draft and review commercial and operational agreements, including partnership agreements, vendor contracts, office and employment-related documentation.
Work closely with the global legal team and external counsel where required.
Manage corporate legal matters for the Vietnam entity, including licenses, corporate filings and ERC/IRC amendments, in coordination with external corporate-secretarial providers.
4. Compliance Framework Build-out
Establish the initial AML/KYC compliance framework together with lending partners.
Develop internal policies and procedures covering areas such as code of conduct, data handling and conflict of interest.
Build a practical compliance framework suitable for a lean, automation-first organization.
As the business scales, support the development of the broader compliance team.