Reporting to: CEOAbout Firenze & the opportunityAt the forefront of using investment portfolios as security to access credit, Firenze is emerging as the category-defining leader in Lombard lending.We already work with some of the UK's leading wealth management firms to unlock access to a lending solution that has historically been reserved for ultra-high-net-worth clients of private banks.Backed by top-tier investors and with significant ambitions to scale, both in the UK and internationally, we're growing our team and looking for an ambitious, intellectually curious General Counsel to play a pivotal role in our future.This is not an ordinary General Counsel role. We're looking for a commercial legal architect.Legal structuring is central to our platform. The complex interplay between our agreements with financial advisers, wealth managers, investment platforms, custodians, borrowers and banks creates genuinely interesting legal challenges.As we expand into new products and international markets, designing scalable legal frameworks will be at the heart of our success. Legal isn't simply a support function at Firenze - it's an integral part of our product and competitive advantage.Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll be at the heart of the business, helping drive strategic decision-making, shape our products and support our expansion. Initially a team of one, you will be very hands on, but you'll take ownership of building a legal function that will be critical to our long-term success.Wealth management and commercial experience: Demonstrable experience negotiating commercial contracts in a wealth management, investment platform or custody context, with a strong understanding of the UK platform and custody market.Banking and finance: Experience of, and genuine interest in, banking and finance products, loan agreements, structured finance or commercial lending.International exposure:A successful track record ofworking on cross-border transactions, products or commercial arrangements across different legal and regulatory frameworks.Commercial judgement: A proven instinct for balancing legal complexity and risk with commercial objectives, finding creative, proportionate solutions that enable the business to move quickly without compromising on the things that matter.Roll-up sleeves attitude: You will be expected to get your hands dirty- you will initially be a team of one and this is not a role just project managing external counsel.Intellectual curiosity: A genuine love of solving complex legal structuring problems, navigating unfamiliar challenges and helping create new financial products.Ambition: A deep ambition to help build a category-defining business and create something of lasting significance.Customer value focused: You fundamentally believe that business success comes from delivering strong value to clients, you care about it, you measure it and you prioritise it.Ownership and accountability: A desire to have meaningful impact, take responsibility for outcomes and roll up your sleeves to get things done.Technology-first mindset: A belief in using technology, automation and agentic AI to solve scaling challenges, increase efficiency and rethink how legal work gets done.Legal experience: Qualified solicitor in England & Wales (or equivalent qualification with relevant UK legal experience)Location: Willingness to work from our London or Manchester office at least two days per week, with periodic travel to London for Manchester-based colleagues.Desired requirementsExperience working in a high-growth environment, ideally an ambitious VC-backed company, and an appreciation of (or even love for) the pace, expectations and challenges that come with it.Experience within a consumer lending business, including familiarity with the Consumer Credit Act and UK consumer credit regulation.Experience in structured finance, particularly forward-flow funding arrangements.Specific experience of Lombard lending or securities-backed lending.Understanding of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) and Basel prudential frameworks.We don't expect you to tick every box. We're particularly interested in people with exceptional legal reasoning, commercial instincts, a tracord record of success and the curiosity to get to grips with new areas quickly.ResponsibilitiesOwn the legal function: Take overall responsibility for the design and execution of Firenze's legal strategy, legal risk and the legal framework underpinning our lending platform.Drive commercial partnerships: Lead contract negotiations with wealth managers, financial advisers, investment platforms, custodians, banks and other strategic partners.Structure funding arrangements: Play a leading role in structuring and executing capital raises, debt financing arrangements and innovative funding solutions to support our growing loan book.Evolve our lending framework: Own the development of borrower agreements, security arrangements and wider contractual structures to support loan book growth and new business opportunities.Shape new products: Play a pivotal role in the design, legal structuring and launch of new lending products, working closely with our Product, Commercial, Credit and Technology teams.Enable international expansion: Lead legal and regulatory perimeter analysis for new markets, developing scalable frameworks that accommodate different jurisdictions and regulatory regimes.Contribute to risk and governance: Represent Legal on internal committees covering credit risk, conduct risk, operational risk, financial crime, regulatory compliance and product approval.Advise the Board: Work closely with the Board and Board Risk Committee to ensure alignment between Firenze's legal strategy, risk appetite and commercial ambitions.Manage external advisers: Efficiently integrate external law firms and specialist advisers, ensuring high-quality legal advice, commercial pragmatism and disciplined cost management.Support strategic growth: Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO and leadership team on the legal implications of our strategy, partnerships, products and expansion.Build for scale: Establish efficient, technology-enabled legal processes and lead the development of the in-house legal team as the business grows.Be hands-on: Provide pragmatic legal support across the business, from complex strategic transactions to the day-to-day legal challenges of a fast-growing fintech.What's in it for you?A career-defining opportunity: Play an instrumental role in building and scaling a category-defining fintech company.Genuinely interesting legal challenges: Work on sophisticated legal structuring problems with direct commercial impact, helping develop a new model for delivering financial services.Exceptional personal growth: Challenge yourself through new experiences, unfamiliar problems and the opportunity to develop new skills as the business scales.A seat at the table: Work directly with the founders and leadership team, influence strategic decisions and play a meaningful role in shaping Firenze's future.Build something of your own: Take ownership of the legal function, grow your own team and be pivotal in product innovation and international expansion.Competitive compensation: An initial base salary of £140,000-£180,000, with opportunities for progression as the business scales.Meaningful equity: Share in the value you help create through equity participation in a high-growth business backed by leading investors.Growing rewards: A transparent approach to expanding benefits and team bonuses in line with business milestones.Great people: A collaborative, ambitious environment with high-quality colleagues who challenge, push and support each other.
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General Counsel in London employer: Firenze
Firenze is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Senior Product Owner, you will have the opportunity to shape a cutting-edge fintech platform while enjoying clear career progression and competitive compensation, including equity participation. Our supportive team culture encourages curiosity and shared ownership, making it a rewarding place for professionals eager to make a meaningful impact in the financial services sector.
