Senior Legal Counsel -Fintech, Banking & Payments
(with 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)
- PQE is flexible: The role requires significant experience and judgement; whilst open on PQE, but candidates should be able to demonstrate the depth and exposure expected at Senior Legal Counsel level within fintech, payments or regulated banking.
- 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.