At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft and negotiate contracts, oversee compliance, and support legal matters across multiple markets.
- Company: Fonix, a fast-growing payments and messaging tech company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be the first in-house legal hire and shape legal processes from day one.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years PQE with strong commercial contracting skills and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with direct access to senior leadership and exciting growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: London (Hybrid – 1–2 days per week in office; fully remote considered for exceptional candidates)
Employment type: Full-time (part-time considered)
About Fonix
Fonix is a fast-growing, publicly listed payments and messaging technology company. We help some of the biggest brands in the UK and across Europe to engage customers and take frictionless mobile payments. Our platform processes millions of interactions every month and we are expanding into new markets and new products, including RCS-based payment solutions.
The Role
We’re looking for a commercially-minded lawyer with strong contract experience who is also willing to take on responsibility for overseeing our compliance with phone-paid services regulation across multiple markets. No prior sector-specific regulatory experience is required — we will provide access to established regulatory guidance and internal subject matter knowledge. What matters is your ability to learn quickly, interpret rules pragmatically, and help ensure we operate compliantly in each market.
This is a hands-on role where you’ll work closely with the commercial, operations, and product teams to support our growth.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements (customer, supplier, partnerships, DPAs, SLAs, NDAs)
- Reviewing, drafting and negotiating employee, consultant and contractor agreements, including updates to templates
- Owning and improving contract templates, playbooks and internal processes
- Supporting insurance renewals, ensuring coverage aligns with contractual commitments and customer requirements
- Advising commercial and product teams on day-to-day legal matters
- Supporting on data protection compliance (GDPR, privacy notices, policies)
- Working with external counsel on specialist matters (payments/telco regulation, PLC governance, corporate issues)
Regulatory & Compliance
- Overseeing Fonix’s compliance with phone-paid services regulation including: Ofcom (UK – previously PSA), ComReg (Ireland), ANACOM (Portugal)
- Understanding and monitoring mobile network operator (MNO) codes of conduct in each relevant market
- Assisting with regulatory reporting, incident escalation and ensuring internal processes meet required standards
- Supporting compliance efforts as the company expands into new European markets
- Keeping the business informed of regulatory developments using established industry guidance
You are not expected to have prior knowledge of these regulatory frameworks — only the ability and willingness to learn them quickly.
What We’re Looking For
- 3–5 years PQE, likely trained at a strong commercial/TMT/tech-oriented practice
- Excellent commercial contracting skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability, with willingness to learn new regulatory frameworks
- Pragmatic and solution-focused — comfortable balancing compliance with commercial needs
- Ability to work independently but escalate appropriately
- Clear communicator who can explain legal or regulatory issues simply
- Interest in technology, telecoms, payments, or regulated environments (experience not essential)
- Collaborative and happy to roll up your sleeves
Why Join Fonix?
- First in-house legal hire — genuine ownership from day one
- A unique blend of commercial, product, and regulatory work
- Opportunity to build light-touch legal and compliance processes
- Directly reporting to senior leadership (CEO, CFO/COO)
- Growing PLC with scale-up energy and quick decision-making
- Hybrid working (1–2 days per week in our central London office; fully remote considered for exceptional candidates based in the UK or Europe)
Salary, Benefits And Hours
- Salary to be confirmed, depending on experience
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
- Additional annual leave for long-service
- Hybrid setup (1–2 days per week in central London office)
- Flexible working arrangements - full-time or part-time considered
- Free breakfast in the office on Thursday
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Regular team and social events to foster a strong and cohesive team culture
- Opportunities to attend courses for professional development
In-House Legal Counsel employer: Fonix
Contact Detail:
Fonix Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land In-House Legal Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the legal field, especially those who work in tech or payments. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Fonix and its regulatory landscape. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your understanding of our business and how you can contribute to our growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience with commercial contracts and compliance in a way that highlights your problem-solving skills. We want to see how you can balance legal needs with business goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the Fonix team.
We think you need these skills to ace In-House Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the role of Legal Counsel. Highlight your commercial contracting experience and any relevant regulatory knowledge, even if it's from different sectors.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for Fonix. Share your passion for technology and compliance, and explain how your background can help us navigate the legal landscape as we expand into new markets.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex legal issues in the past. We want to see your analytical thinking and how you balance compliance with commercial needs.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fonix
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your commercial contracting skills and understand the basics of regulatory compliance, especially in the payments and telecoms sectors. Familiarise yourself with the specific regulations Fonix operates under, like Ofcom and ComReg, so you can speak confidently about how you'd approach compliance.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex legal issues in the past. Use examples that highlight your analytical abilities and your pragmatic approach to balancing compliance with commercial needs. This will show them you're not just a lawyer, but a strategic partner.
✨Be Ready to Learn
Fonix is looking for someone who can learn quickly and adapt to new regulatory frameworks. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully learned new areas of law or adapted to changes in previous roles. This will demonstrate your willingness to grow and take on challenges.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms. The ability to communicate effectively with non-legal teams is crucial, especially since you'll be working closely with commercial and product teams. Think of examples where you've had to break down legal jargon for others.