Legal Counsel

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Legal Counsel to join our legal team. This role will lead all legal matters in the US, providing strategic legal advice, and ensuring compliance with US laws and regulations. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s legal strategy and ensuring compliance across various functions, including drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, advising on regulatory matters, and providing legal guidance on product development. The role involves streamlining legal operations, handling day-to-day legal queries, and ensuring corporate governance and compliance obligations are met. You will collaborate closely with other teams to manage fast-paced projects and meet deadlines in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Chief Legal Officer to shape the ongoing strategy of the legal function, specifically in the US.
• Draft and negotiate large commercial partnership contracts.
• Review vendor contracts and draft playbooks and templates.
• Advise the business on state and federal regulatory issues, particularly regarding sales-based financing and privacy.
• Respond to regulatory complaints, including those escalated by state Attorneys General, and oversee the company's response process end-to-end.
• Advise on product development and marketing.
• Provide business training on key legal topics.
• Answer general legal queries across the business.
• Manage budget and conduct value analysis.
• Advise on new country launches and product launches.
• Work with and manage US counsel and local counsel in other jurisdictions.
• Help manage group corporate filings and support company secretarial duties.
• Assist with privacy compliance across the group, collaborating closely with the DPO and wider business on data queries and due diligence.
• Proactively raise the profile of the Legal team through team initiatives, objectives, and business-friendly operational processes.
• Focus on legal operations, suggesting enhancements to processes and technology to optimize the team’s work.
• Enhance knowledge management within the team.
• Manage fast-paced projects and work with the business and legal team to meet tight deadlines.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and admission to the bar in at least one U.S. state.
• 5+ years of legal experience, ideally in-house.
• Strong background in contract negotiation, regulatory advisory, and risk mitigation.
• Familiarity with data privacy, corporate governance, and legal operations.
• Proven track record in dealing with varied legal issues and providing commercially sound advice and support to businesses in areas such as managing vendor/supplier contracts, data protection/privacy, technology, and regulatory/compliance.
• Commercially minded with strong communication skills and the ability to simplify complex legal issues.
• Highly organized with experience managing workstreams requiring deadlines to be met.
• Interest in legal tech and innovation with a focus on scalable solutions.
• Experience in fintech, financial services, or SME lending is a plus, but not required.

Skills

• A solutions-focused legal professional who sees legal as a business enabler, not a blocker.
• Comfortable collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand challenges and provide pragmatic advice.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about process improvement and legal operations.
• Proactive and curious, confident stepping into new areas and learning quickly.
• Tenacious and delivery-focused, with the ability to manage competing priorities and complete projects end-to-end.
• A collaborative team player who values culture and isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves when needed.