Senior Legal Counsel - (FInTech) London

My client is a leading Fintech and Payments business in search of an experienced lawyer to provide strategic and commercial legal advice for both internal and external operations and relationships whilst leading in significant business transactions. You will have a great sense of autonomy where you will report directly to the General Counsel and will have an influence with decision-making processes whilst advising the Product and Strategic teams, Boards and Committees.

The Role
As Senior Legal Counsel you will report directly to the General Counsel and be responsible for management and supervision of junior members of the legal team. You will advise the business on legal and related commercial matters. You will advise on and negotiate high-value and high-impact contracts to Government, financial institutions and payments schemes whilst overseeing the renewals of both the Bacs and Faster Payments contracts that are core streams of revenue for this business. These contracts are complex legal documents which are critical payments systems agreements; technology/IP development agreements and licenses, outsourcing/managed services agreements and general sales and procurements agreements. There is a great sense of pragmatism required with this role where you will provide accessible and timely BAU advice to the business including working closely with business colleagues and actively participating in and influencing corporate governance processes. You will be required to manage the legal panel and ensure its being utilised to its full capacity.

The Candidate
The ideal candidate will have thorough transactional experience gained within Software/technology licensing; Payments, strategic services provision, joint ventures and M&A. You must have solid legal training from a reputable UK or US law firm with strong academics. Relevant in-house experience and knowledge of Payments systems and banking / financial services environment would be highly advantageous. Must be a very commercially savvy lawyer with the ability to offer pragmatic solutions to the business and work with the business in finding solutions to legal, contractual and business issues. It's important to have strong communication skills and having the confidence to present in both formal and informal situations.