General Counsel

Interim General CounselAscenda is seeking an experienced, business-minded lawyer to serve as Interim General Counsel during a parental leave period. This individual will provide strategic legal leadership and hands-on support across commercial, regulatory, and corporate matters, ensuring continuity of legal operations and alignment with business objectives in a fast-growing fintech environment.This is a full-time, fixed-term contract covering parental leave from October 2026 through March 2027.Key ResponsibilitiesAct as the primary legal advisor to senior leadership on day-to-day legal matters and strategic initiativesProvide practical, solutions-oriented guidance balancing legal risk with commercial objectivesOperate as a hands-on generalist who can roll up their sleeves and connect the dots across commercial, product, partnerships, finance, and HR teamsCommercial & Transactional WorkDraft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including:MSAs with banks and card issuersStrategic partnership agreements with airlines, loyalty partners, content providers and other complementary partnersDPAs, IDTAs and data sharing agreementsAdvise on structuring complex global partnerships and revenue-generating arrangementsReview and maintain customer-facing product terms, participation agreements, and service-specific termsRegulatory & ComplianceOversee legal and regulatory compliance across relevant jurisdictions (payments, data privacy, loyalty frameworks as applicable)Provide guidance on emerging regulatory developments impacting fintech and data-driven platformsAdvise on AI governance, including responsible AI policies and contractual restrictions on AI/ML model training using company or client dataEmployment & HRSupport global employment matters, including employment agreements, workplace policies, and workforce actions across multiple jurisdictionsCorporate & GovernanceSupport corporate governance matters, including board materials, shareholder agreements, resolutions, and entity managementAdvise on international expansion, entity structuring, and cross-border considerationsEngage and manage external counsel on an as-needed basis for specialized matters, including litigation, dispute resolution, and jurisdiction-specific regulatory adviceOperational ContinuityStep into ongoing matters and ensure seamless continuation of legal workflowsAssess and triage litigation and pre-litigation matters, including conducting initial investigations and managing responses to counterparty claimsIdentify and prioritize key legal risks and urgent issues during the coverage periodMaintain and improve legal processes, templates, intake workflows, and playbooks; leverage legal technology tools where appropriateWho You AreJD or equivalent; Admitted to the bar in at least one U.S. state10+ years of legal experience, including:Prior General Counsel, Deputy GC, or senior in-house leadership roleStrong background in B2B fintech, SaaS, or technology-driven businessesDemonstrated experience handling complex commercial transactions and global partnershipsWorking knowledge of international data protection frameworks, including GDPR, and experience negotiating DPAs, IDTAs, and cross-border data sharing agreementsFamiliarity with APAC regulatory environments, particularly Singapore (PDPA) and Australia (Privacy Act, APRA prudential standards); UK exposure is a plusExperience with data privacy programs, including GDPR, CCPA, and PDPA compliance; CIPP/US or CIPP/E certification preferredComfortable managing workflows and stakeholder communications across multiple time zones (US, APAC, EU)Proven ability to operate independently in a lean, fast-paced environmentStrong executive presence with the ability to advise senior stakeholdersPreferred QualificationsExperience in loyalty, rewards, or points-based ecosystemsFamiliarity with financial services regulatory standards (e.g., APRA CPS 230/234, PCI DSS)Experience advising on AI/data governance for product launchesThe salary range for this position is between $196,000 to $264,000 per year, depending on experience and location.Ascenda offers the unique opportunity to lead in the loyalty ecosystem space, shaping the future of rewards programs. We are passionate, we keep things simple, we focus on results, we work together & we innovate!Ascenda is dedicated to diversity and inclusion, welcoming candidates from all backgrounds. Join us on our mission to make loyalty simple and rewarding for everyone, everywhere.Ready to power growth for the financial services industry?Apply now! Together, we'll redefine what's possible.