APAC Privacy Lead Counsel

Location: Global

Team: General

About the Role

Wise is a global technology company revolutionizing how the world moves and manages money with minimal fees, maximum ease, and full speed. Our Global Privacy team ensures the highest standards of customer privacy and data security. As APAC Privacy Lead Counsel based in Singapore, you'll lead regional privacy projects, design privacy solutions for innovative products, and partner with business, engineering, legal, compliance, and risk teams to embed compliance across APAC. You'll localize our global privacy program, advise on partnerships with banks and institutions, support expansion into new jurisdictions, oversee APAC entity compliance, assist with audits, stay ahead of evolving regulations, and drive AI governance initiatives. This role offers local time-zone support and close collaboration with the Wise Legal team in APAC. Join a diverse, inclusive team committed to building money without borders. We're seeking a privacy expert with 8+ years experience, deep APAC regulatory knowledge, and a problem-solving mindset to thrive in our fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Championing Privacy: Localize and implement our global privacy transformation program throughout the APAC region
• Innovating with Impact: Collaborate with business and engineering teams to design and launch cutting-edge products for the APAC market, ensuring privacy is built-in from the start
• Strategic Partnerships: Advise on the privacy aspects of Wise platform partnerships and agreements with banks and financial institutions, including contractual arrangements
• Global Growth: Support our expansion efforts as we launch Wise products and services in new jurisdictions
• Regional Oversight: Oversee privacy compliance for our APAC entities and contribute to reporting for regional oversight committees and entity boards
• Audit Support: Assist with periodic global and regional audits of privacy compliance within Wise
• Staying Ahead: Keep up-to-date with evolving regulatory requirements in the APAC region and translate them into practical business solutions
• AI Governance: Support the implementation of Wise's AI Governance framework, monitor emerging AI regulations and guidelines in APAC, and help drive associated regulatory changes

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years privacy experience at a top-tier law firm or in-house
• Strong understanding of APAC privacy, data protection and data security laws
• Experienced in handling privacy inquiries, complaints and incidents
• Experience in privacy by design and data protection impact assessments
• Experience in dealing with regulators in APAC on privacy matters
• Experience in drafting and negotiating privacy related contracts and developing compliance and auditing frameworks
• Admitted to practice law in at least one APAC jurisdiction

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal skills in English
• A problem solving attitude, with the ability to use regulation together with data to drive business decisions
• Ability to drive and deliver projects from inception to completion, timely and with attention to detail
• Experience (or interest) in working in a fast-growing environment

Required Skills

• Proactive and influential communication
• Thrives in dynamic environments
• Navigating ambiguous situations
• Making swift judgment calls
• Attention to detail
• Excellent project management
• Collaborating across teams
• Privacy by design expertise
• Regulatory engagement in APAC
• Contract drafting and negotiation

Benefits

• RSUs (stock options)
• Flexible working
• Parental leave
• Learning budget
• Paid sabbatical after 4 years
• Health insurance
• Company retreat
• Wise card

Wise is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce.