General Legal Counsel

Prodigy Finance - who we are

Prodigy Finance is a platform that delivers socially responsible financial services, making it possible for students from more than 150+ countries to fulfil their dream of studying at the world's top universities and schools by financing their international postgraduate studies. Our purpose is to democratise access to life changing education, whilst delivering competitive financial and social returns to alumni, institutional and private investors.

Our borderless and innovative model enables education loan financing to students from across the globe, whilst using predicted post-degree affordability rather than present-day salary in assessing creditworthiness. Since 2007, Prodigy Finance has extended over US$1 billion through the platform to fund over 25,000 students.

We are funded by some of the most highly regarded and pre-eminent financial institutions in the world, including Index Ventures, Balderton Capital, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, and more recently the US DFC and CPPIB.

Why this is an amazing opportunity

This role is perfect for a mid-level SA or UK qualified General Legal Counsel who thrives in a complex environment and who wants to supercharge their career by experiencing first-hand what it is like to be part of an energetic, fast-growing start-up company.

Why join Prodigy Finance

• Help to build a platform that helps to make a very real difference in the world.
• Work at a successful global startup.
• Experience the excitement and learn from being part of an incredibly fast growing young company.
• Enjoy the agility and flexibility offered by a startup culture. A sociable, relaxed and friendly work environment (with a serious coffee culture where you can wear shorts to work).
• Receive a competitive salary, and share options in the company. Since you will be playing a key role in making us successful, it is only right that you have a stake in the rewards of our success.
• What you will do in the role
• As General Legal Counsel you will be responsible for a variety of legal activities including that supports the global lending business of Prodigy Finance as well as building the Group's corporate governance framework.
• What you will be judged on

You'll be measured on the following:

• Broad knowledge and experience in corporate, commercial and general legal practice.
• Innovative, strategic thinking and creative legal solutions.
• Managing legal projects and initiatives from start to finish and taking responsibility for their successful implementation.
• Being integrated with the business operations, identifying material legal risks and coming up with solutions in collaboration with the business.
• Providing strong legal and regulatory research skills and being able to digest and distil complex legal advice to make commercial recommendations to the business.
• Being adaptable, open and flexible to any new legal project or demand that may require attention and resolution.
• What are some of the roles and responsibilities of this role?
• Support the credit counsel on all legal and regulatory aspects of the global lending business of Prodigy Finance including marketing, relationships with schools and referral partners, loan originations, payments and servicing of loans and any related areas of consumer credit law .
• Apply innovation and rigour in the global regulatory environment as we expand into new products and new markets.
• Support the finance counsel by bringing corporate law and group legal knowledge into structuring and executing equity and debt transactions.
• Be responsible for the corporate governance framework of the Group including director agreements, shareholder arrangements and filings and intercompany loans and servicing agreements between all Group subsidiaries.
• Manage the Group's central legal framework including data protection, procurement, insurance, intellectual property, employee stock option plans and tax.
• Handle new legal projects and demands as they come up and are prioritised for attention.
• What you need to be great at
• Confident, independent and decisive.
• Quick learner, eager to pick-up new skills and support a growing business with its global regulatory, governance and controls framework.
• Proactive, with plenty of initiative to overcome the challenges that constantly arise in an innovative, growth business.
• Strong team player with the ability to establish a high degree of credibility within a global organisation.
• Resilient, flexible and energetic which are required to work hard under stressful conditions to deliver against deadlines.
• Capable of adapting to changing priorities in line with business and organisational needs.
• Discreet and professional.
• Interested in fintech, global financial markets and actively follows financial trends and innovation.

Who we are looking for

• An admitted lawyer who is qualified in South Africa or England.
• Around 5 years' legal experience gained at a reputable law firm or in-house at a bank, financial services company or lending business.
• Preferably experience working in the regulated financial services market.
• Preferably experience working in - or with - a global business that operates in multiple jurisdictions.
• Preferably start-up experience. Sometimes the earth moves beneath your feet at Prodigy Finance so you've got to be comfortable with ambiguity, able to wear lots of hats, and adapt easily as we continue to grow.
• The Prodigy Finance fit; attributes which run true in everyone at Team Prodigy

To be an A player at Prodigy Finance, you need to possess - in spades - the following attributes:

Innovative + Smart

Be curious enough to want to know more, think out the box, maybe even break the box, show initiative and be smart about it to find implementable, impactful solutions.

International + Accountable

Push yourself to be better every day. Work with others across the world, be resilient, add value and then hold yourself accountable. Encourage and celebrate each other.

Energetic + Fun

Sense of humour = survival. Bring energy and fun. Wear your heart on your sleeve. Work hard and find the time to play. We're in this together.

Do you want to be our next General Legal Counsel? Here's what to do now:

If this sounds exciting and you'd like to have an informal chat, get in touch below and tell us why you want to work at Prodigy Finance.