Senior Legal Counsel in London

About us: ClearBank was built on the belief that banking infrastructure would no longer slow down progress. Instead, it's the catalyst that unlocks the potential to innovate. Our clients — from fintechs and crypto platforms, banks and credit unions, to household names who want to embed banking into their services — use our API and banking services to power their innovation. ClearBank is a place where you can do things differently and challenge the status quo. We will give you a high level of autonomy and transparency, and we trust you to make the right decisions for the bank.

About the role: This role has a commercial and fintech focus. The position will be a mix of commercial, product and some regulatory. We would like lawyers who have relevant experience in advising fintechs or banks – or the proven ability to learn the regulated sectors fast – and the appetite to work in a 'you build it you run it' type environment. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate that they bring a high-performance, commercial and pragmatic mindset to novel and complex legal challenges and also a 'can-do' attitude to everyday legal tasks that help the bank succeed.

In the UK Legal team there is a focus on advising on new product design and readiness, new business structures and models. We need lawyers who are agile, fast and committed to good commercial and risk management outcomes, and in their work can demonstrate knowledge, logic and sound judgement. As someone who likes to take ownership, you’ll help to ensure that ClearBank's arrangements with customers and partners meet legal and regulatory requirements.

Cross departmental relationships are essential, and you will work closely with a range of teams across ClearBank including product teams and technical experts to ensure that ClearBank's innovative and expanding products are designed and operate in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. You’ll help partner with the business to help deliver outcomes, which will include using a wide range of legal and business skills. You’ll advise on commercial and regulatory issues (with support from our regulatory counsel). You’ll play a leading role in drafting and negotiating contracts.

What we’re looking for: The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales with at least 5 years PQE leading on commercial negotiations and employing your knowledge of banking and payments regulation as you go. A breadth of experience will complement the broad nature of work in this role. Direct experience of the areas highlighted in the above section is preferred. Our PQE statement is offered as a guide and we will consider candidates at all levels who can demonstrate the relevant experience.

To be successful within the legal team candidates must be able to work independently whilst liaising effectively and building relationships with stakeholders. In terms of culture, we are looking for a motivated individual with great people skills. Someone who is delivery focused and confident in suggesting improvements and enhancements. You’ll need to enjoy working through complex, novel situations as well as problem-solving. You’ll also need to be comfortable reprioritising and adapting to change.

Technical knowledge: You’ll have previous experience in, and good knowledge of:

• Creating, amending & negotiating high value "strategic" contracts directly with customers
• Amending / drafting / developing new customer agreements from 'bare bones'
• Leading on developing and adapting end-customer terms and conditions, partnering with regulatory counsel and compliance teams where necessary
• Giving legal regulatory advice in a financial services context, partnering with regulatory counsel and compliance teams where necessary
• Applying that advice in a practical way to business decisions, product design, and customer, supplier and product terms
• Financial services business and operating models and the UK regulatory regime

Bonus / Advantageous experience:

• Experience in a high-growth or scale-up environment
• Experience of product development in banking and/or fintech
• Experience of payments and e-money regulatory regimes
• Experience of advising on the development of digital assets products, their operations and current regulation
• Knowledge of embedded banking business models and outsourcing regulations

ClearBank is committed to ensuring equal opportunities throughout every stage of the recruitment process. ClearBank recognises that diversity is vital to the long-term success of the business in the communities and markets in which it operates. ClearBank strives for diversity and inclusion of all forms, including (but not limited to): gender, age, educational and professional background, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief and sexual orientation.