General Counsel - Global Fintech

This is a unique opportunity to be General Counsel of a successful fintech scale-up that is on a continued growth journey. You will be able to take over an existing legal function and evolve it yourself to suit the business as it grows. The CEO values legal highly and is looking for a trusted advisor beyond being the lawyer in the room. There is a talented leadership team, collaborative culture across the whole business and a comprehensive package, including a strong equity incentive scheme, on offer.

The Company

Founded over 10 years ago, driven by a focus on innovation, this fintech business has gone from strength to strength growing in the UK and internationally to establish itself as a market leader. Fuelled by significant funding and with ambitious expansion plans, the company is in great shape to welcome a new General Counsel to lead its legal and regulatory function and manage its small but strong legal team.

The Opportunity

Reporting into the CEO and working closely as their trusted advisor, you'll be a business leader and key member of the executive leadership team. This is a collaborative, smart and experienced leadership team who are also very down to earth and will be responsible for strategic decision making that enables the business to achieve its growth trajectory successfully. Other responsibilities will include:

• Provide forward thinking legal guidance and strategic advice on a wide range of legal and regulatory matters
• Manage the company’s legal department, including hiring, training, and supervising in-house legal staff and external counsel
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, including those related to financial services, data privacy, consumer protection, and corporate governance.
• Enable the business to self-serve through legal and regulatory training
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies, responding to inquiries and coordinating audits and examinations
• Support corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and financing activities, by conducting due diligence and ensuring legal compliance

About you

The successful candidate will most likely come from a lending/FCA background, be highly solutions driven and have solid decision-making capabilities. Ideally you will have:

• 10+ years of legal experience
• In-House experience in the fintech or financial services industry
• Strong knowledge of financial regulations and experience with UK regulatory bodies such as the FCA, PRA, and ICO (desired but not essential)
• Proven experience managing a legal team and working with senior executives and board members.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively