General Counsel (Quantitative Investment Firm)

About our client
A well-capitalised, research-driven quantitative investment firm with a global footprint spanning Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China and the United States. The firm operates across systematic trading, fund management, and proprietary capital deployment — built at the intersection of technology, mathematics, and financial markets. With regulated entities across multiple jurisdictions (including an LFMC in Singapore), the firm is building out its senior leadership infrastructure to match the scale of its ambitions.

This is a principal-level hire, reporting directly to the COO.

The Role

The General Counsel will serve as the firm's most senior legal authority, owning the full spectrum of legal, regulatory, and governance responsibilities across its global operations.
This is a builder's role — you will shape the legal function, not inherit it.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory and Market Advisory

• Serve as the firm's principal legal advisor on trading, market conduct, and securities regulation across MAS, SFC, SEC/CFTC/FINRA, and FCA frameworks
• Advise business leadership on market access, exchange memberships, clearing arrangements, and cross-border trading structures
• Lead regulatory engagement including inquiries, filings, and enforcement actions; maintain productive relationships with key regulators across jurisdictions

Corporate and Transactional

• Oversee legal support for fund formation, M&A, joint ventures, seed investments, and strategic transactions
• Manage entity formation, licensing, and operational buildouts across trading, R&D, and investment operations
• Negotiate critical documentation including LPAs, ISDAs/CSAs, prime brokerage agreements, and execution agreements

Intellectual Property, Employment, and Disputes

• Direct the firm's IP protection strategy covering proprietary code, data, and research outputs
• Advise on employment and partner-level matters including restrictive covenants and IP protections on exit
• Manage disputes and regulatory proceedings in collaboration with top-tier external counsel

Governance and Compliance Oversight

• Lead the Legal & Compliance Department including internal counsel, compliance officers, and operational support staff
• Supervise regional compliance functions to maintain independence of regulated entities, including the Singapore LFMC
• Oversee and coordinate outsourced compliance providers to ensure global consistency and effective risk management
• Advise the partnership and board on governance, profit-sharing, and fiduciary structures
• Collaborate with finance and tax counsel to align tax and transfer pricing execution with operational design

External Counsel and Provider Management

• Build and manage relationships with leading law firms and compliance providers across jurisdictions
• Establish a disciplined, cost-efficient panel structure with consistent performance standards and oversight

Requirement

• LL.B., J.D., or equivalent; admitted to practice in Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, or England & Wales
• Minimum 12 years PQE, including meaningful in-house experience at a hedge fund, proprietary trading firm, investment bank, or asset manager
• Deep knowledge across securities regulation, derivatives, fund formation, or financial services M&A
• Track record of managing relationships with financial regulators (MAS, SFC, SEC, FCA, or equivalent)
• Proven leadership in building and managing cross-border legal and compliance teams

Preferred

• Prior in-house experience at a quantitative hedge fund, HFT firm, or market maker
• Experience handling IP, trade secret, or data-related matters in financial services
• Familiarity with structures spanning Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States

If it sounds like your next move, please don’t hesitate to apply. Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Appreciate your understanding. Data provided is for recruitment purposes only.

About Us

Dada Consultants was established in 2017, with the commitment of providing the best recruitment services in Singapore. We are comprised of a dynamic head-hunting team dedicated to sourcing for highly competent professionals in IT industry. We provide enterprises with customized talent solutions, and bring talents to career advancement.

EA Registration Number: R2197058
Business Registration Number: 201735941W. Licence Number: 18S9037
www.dadaconsultants.com