Senior Legal Counsel- Fintech, Banking & Payments

Senior Legal Counsel – Fintech, Banking & Payments

(scope to grow into Head of Legal)

UK (Hybrid – London)

In‑house | Senior, hands‑on role

We’re partnering exclusively with a UK‑licensed challenger bank with a strong fintech, payments and Banking‑as‑a‑Service (BaaS) focus, backed by an established European banking group.

This is a role for a commercially minded lawyer who wants real ownership and influence , helping shape and deliver legal support in a growing bank, not working behind layers of process. Legal is embedded early, trusted by the business, and expected to think commercially.

The Business

• Fully licensed UK challenger bank operating across payments, BaaS and digital retail banking
• Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)
• Strong fintech and payments DNA with the stability of a banking platform
• Collegiate, low‑ego culture where legal is involved early in commercial and product decisions

Why Join?

You’ll be joining a bank known for its entrepreneurial mindset and strong people‑first culture , recognised as a Sunday Times Best Places to Work .

The culture is:

• Ambitious and fast‑moving , with a willingness to challenge convention
• Open and straightforward in how decisions are made
• Continuously improving , without rigid hierarchy
• Collaborative , with high standards and genuine care for colleagues

⚖️ The Opportunity

As Senior Legal Counsel , you’ll own a broad legal remit across payments, fintech partnerships and digital banking , staying hands‑on and close to the business.

You will:

• Act as a trusted legal adviser to senior stakeholders, Compliance and Risk
• Run the day‑to‑day UK legal workload
• Work at fintech pace within a regulated banking environment
• Help shape how the legal function supports scale and growth over time

This is a senior individual‑contributor role with real influence , not a committee‑heavy or title‑driven position.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading negotiation of commercial, fintech and payments contracts (BaaS, SaaS, technology, outsourcing)
• Supporting high‑priority, client‑facing negotiations
• Advising on UK financial services regulation , payments and consumer risk
• Supporting new product and feature launches
• Providing pragmatic input on governance, data protection and vendor arrangements
• Working closely with Compliance and Risk

Who This Suits

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent)
• Strong experience in fintech, payments, EMI or banking environments
• Excellent commercial contracts capability
• Commercial, adaptable and comfortable with change
• Enjoys building and improving, not just maintaining
• Confident operating with autonomy and balancing regulation with delivery

In‑house experience preferred, though private practice lawyers with strong FS or fintech exposure will be considered.

Why This Role?

• Senior responsibility in a hands‑on role , close to decision‑making
• High autonomy and visibility, reporting to the CFO
• Scope to grow with the business and help shape the legal function
• Fintech pace with the credibility of a licensed bank
• Competitive salary, discretionary bonus and long‑term incentives

Interested? Apply directly to arrange a confidential discussion.

This is an exclusive and confidential search for a newly created, high‑impact role with a highly selective client , and we expect significant interest.

Candidates interested in exploring the opportunity are strongly encouraged to apply promptly .

Given the level of interest expected, conversations will be prioritised with candidates whose experience aligns most closely with the role.

Please note our advertisements use PQE/salary levels purely as a guide. However we are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role.

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