Senior Legal officer / Head of Legal
About the Client Our client is a UK-based Electronic Money Institution (EMI) specializing in card acquiring services. They facilitate secure and efficient payment processing solutions for businesses, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards to protect both merchants and customers. Role Overview The Senior Legal Officer / Head of Legal will provide comprehensive legal support for EMI operations, ensuring compliance with UK and EU regulatory frameworks. This role involves close collaboration with various teams to develop internal policies and manage external legal counsel.
Key Responsibilities
Provide full legal support for EMI operations in compliance with UK and FCA regulations Draft and negotiate merchant agreements, processing agreements, and vendor contracts Collaborate with teams to develop and implement policies and procedures (AML/CTF, safeguarding) Support licensing processes and regulatory initiatives for expansion into new jurisdictions Advise stakeholders on legal matters related to payments and cross-border operations Manage external legal counsel to ensure quality and efficiency Requirements 5+ years of legal experience in fintech, payments, EMI, or acquiring Familiarity with UK (FCA) and/or EU regulatory frameworks (EMI, PSD2) Understanding of payment flows and high-risk verticals such as iGaming and crypto Strong background in contract law and commercial deal structuring Experience with Compliance/AML functions and regulatory requirements Key Soft Skills Proactive mindset and strong ownership Ability to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment Strong communication skills for interaction with C-level and teams High attention to detail and risk-oriented thinking Flexibility and adaptability
What We Offer
Competitive salary aligned with experience Collaborative and transparent team culture High-impact role in a scaling fintech company Recognition of personal milestones and achievements Social benefits Apply To This Job