■Company Description
Net Protections Vietnam is part of a leading Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) group in Japan and Taiwan.
As a fast-growing fintech startup in Vietnam, we are building a new payment infrastructure in partnership with licensed financial institutions. Our mission is to transform payment experiences by combining global expertise with deep local execution.
Operating in an evolving regulatory environment, we are not only delivering products — we are shaping how BNPL will be structured and governed in Vietnam.
■Role Description
This is a full-time, on-site role based in Ho Chi Minh City for a Head of Legal.
This role is not a traditional legal support function.
You will play a central role in designing and enabling our business model, working closely with partner banks, regulators, and internal stakeholders.
You will be responsible for:
- Leading legal strategy in a regulatory gray area (BNPL / fintech)
- Structuring partnerships with financial institutions
- Balancing compliance requirements with business growth
- Building and leading the in-house legal function
■Key Responsibilities
1. Regulatory Strategy & Compliance
- Interpret and navigate Vietnam's financial regulatory framework (banking, lending, payments)
- Develop legal structures for BNPL services in partnership with licensed banks
- Anticipate regulatory risks and design mitigation strategies
2. Banking & Strategic Negotiation
- Lead contract negotiations with partner banks and key stakeholders
- Structure and review tripartite agreements (Bank – Company – Merchant)
- Act as the legal counterpart in high-stakes discussions with financial institutions
3. Data Protection (PDPD / PDPL)
- Lead data protection strategy and compliance (PDPD / PDPL)
- Design data governance frameworks (controller vs processor positioning)
- Oversee DPIA and cross-functional data compliance
4. Contracting & Legal Operations
- Draft and review key commercial agreements (Service Agreement, Merchant Agreement, etc.)
- Manage and optimize external law firms (cost, speed, quality)
5. Legal Leadership & Business Partnership
- Build and lead the in-house legal function in Vietnam
- Provide strategic legal advice to management and business teams
- Enable business growth while maintaining compliance integrity
■Qualifications
Must-have
- Bachelor's degree in Law (Master's degree is a plus)
- 8+ years of relevant legal experience
- Strong expertise in banking, financial services, or fintech regulation
- Proven experience in contract negotiation with banks or financial institutions
- Solid understanding of Vietnam regulatory environment
- Fluent in English (professional working proficiency)
Preferred
- Experience in fintech / BNPL / digital lending / payments
- Experience at leading law firms (banking & finance team), OR in-house legal at banks / fintech companies
- Hands-on experience with PDPD / data protection regulations
- Experience dealing with regulators or compliance inspections
- Ability to operate in ambiguous and fast-changing environments
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are looking for someone who can:
- Navigate regulatory uncertainty and provide practical solutions
- Confidently engage and negotiate with banking partners
- Balance compliance and business growth without blocking execution
- Act as a strategic partner, not just a legal advisor
■What We Offer
- Opportunity to shape a new financial business model in Vietnam
- High ownership and direct impact on business strategy
- Close collaboration with global teams (Japan HQ)
- Dynamic and entrepreneurial environment
- Competitive compensation aligned with senior-level talent
