Head of Legal

The role reports to the General Counsel of the PayPoint Group, with dotted line reporting to the Managing Director, Merchant Services and is based in the Haydock office of our Merchant Services business. You will be a senior member of the wider PayPoint Group legal team comprising 10 lawyers across PayPoint’s head office in Welwyn Garden City and offices in Liverpool and Haydock. This is an exciting time to join PayPoint’s Merchant Services business as it is currently re‑shaping its business to target growth with higher value and midmarket merchants, expanding from its existing SME base, and exploring ways to enhance its proposition with new products.

Acting as sole legal counsel for PayPoint’s Merchant Services business which delivers in‑store and online card acquiring, terminal rental and business finance solutions to more than 30,000 UK merchants and PayPoint retailers. This is a broad commercial role which involves advising on, drafting and negotiating contracts for:

• Regulated and unregulated credit broking for a range of regulated consumer credit products and unregulated financing products.
• Consumer hire and hire purchase products on behalf of its two FCA regulated companies, Handepay Ltd and Merchant Rentals Limited, respectively and acting as Data Protection Officer for both companies.
• Acquiring services from third‑party acquirers.

The Responsibilities include:

• Meet the legal needs of PayPoint’s Merchant Services business including advising on, drafting and negotiating contracts as referenced above; advising on, drafting and negotiating contracts for suppliers, services and introducer activities, including card acquiring and other ancillary products, relating to services to merchants and retailers.
• Managing day‑to‑day data protection activities and providing hands‑on data protection support to the businesses.
• Reviewing, approving and advising on marketing activities, in particular financial promotions activities in line with the CCA and Consumer Duty.
• General day‑to‑day support on a wide range of legal matters, from contracts to customer communications, structuring new products and services and operational processes.
• Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across the business to ensure that legal matters are understood and handled appropriately.
• Attendee and legal adviser at Board meetings, Risk and Controls Committee meetings and Management Committee meetings for Handepay Ltd and Merchant Rentals Limited.
• Act as Data Protection Officer for Handepay Ltd and Merchant Rentals Limited.
• Manage external advisers and other stakeholders in the successful and timely delivery of transactions and projects.
• Member of PayPoint Group Legal and Compliance rota for legal advice and completion of regulatory notifications in the event of any material IT and operational incidents.
• Collaborate with other members of the Legal Team to support a One Team approach.

About You:

• Consumer Credit Act experience a material advantage.
• Experience of working with FCA regulated business and a basic understanding of regulatory principles and themes is essential.
• Experience of GDPR, data protection and data security issues is essential.
• Experience of equipment hire, merchant acquiring, card schemes and the Payment Systems Regulator beneficial.
• Proven commercial contracts expertise; strong technical drafting skills.
• Strong in‑house experience in a similar role, with experience of advising senior stakeholders and Boards preferred.
• The role requires an individual that is highly motivated and pro‑active, with excellent attention to detail, commercial acumen and the ability to find sound legal solutions to challenging legal and commercial issues.
• We are looking for a qualified lawyer, with a minimum of 5 years PQE with a strong academic background.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and adept at liaising with stakeholders from all levels of the business.
• Ability to identify and communicate key legal issues to a non‑legal audience.
• Highly credible with pragmatic approach.
• Hands‑on with a willingness to ‘roll‑up sleeves’ to get things done.
• A confident, commercially‑minded individual able to provide practical advice to the business.
• Strong background in managing multiple tasks in a fast‑paced, performance‑driven culture.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to manage a high volume of work.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with key stakeholders.
• Minimum of 3 days a week in the Haydock office and willingness to travel to PP’s offices in Welwyn Garden City and Liverpool as required.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus 8 UK bank holidays.
• Contributory pension scheme and life assurance (subject to conditions).
• Structured induction and ongoing training and support.
• Company shares incentive plan.
• Employee benefits platform discounts.
• Free on‑site parking at our Haydock office (A580 location, close to M6).
• Employee social events and team activities.

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Haydock, Merseyside