Head of Legal in City of London

A high-growth fintech is looking for a Head of Legal & DPO to take ownership of its legal function at an important point in the company’s development. This is a broad, hands-on leadership role, reporting to the COO and working closely with the wider leadership team. There is a small legal team already in place, including one solicitor who will be a direct report from day one, with scope to build the function further as the business grows. The role supports both UK and EU regulated operations and will interact with regulators and local counsel.

What will you do?

• The remit covers commercial contracts, payments regulation, corporate governance, data protection, product work, fundraising and wider strategic projects.
• One of the immediate priorities will be supporting the business through its EMI licensing work so strong payments experience will be necessary.
• You will also be assessing wider regulatory developments and engaging with regulators.
• The commercial work includes customer and supplier contracts, outsourcing arrangements, partnerships and other strategic agreements.
• The Head of Legal will also work closely with Product, Commercial, Compliance, Risk and Engineering as new products are developed and the regulatory landscape evolves.
• There is also a meaningful corporate element to the role, including group governance, shareholder and investor matters, future funding rounds and other corporate activity.
• As Group DPO, you’ll take responsibility for the data protection framework and advise the leadership team on privacy and data risk.
• Beyond the legal work, there is a real opportunity to shape how the function operates: improving processes, making better use of technology and AI, developing playbooks and templates, managing external counsel and developing the team.

Who are they looking for?

• There is some flexibility around background. The most obvious fit is likely to be a UK-qualified senior in-house lawyer from payments, fintech or regulated financial services.
• That could be an existing Head of Legal or someone operating immediately below that level who is ready to take ownership of a function.
• They are also open to strong private practice lawyers with meaningful payments experience who want to move in-house and take on a much broader remit.
• Nobody is expected to have done every element of the role. What matters is having enough relevant experience to get credibility quickly, alongside the judgement and adaptability to pick up areas that may be newer.
• Payments experience is important given the regulatory work ahead. Strong commercial skills are equally important, as is sufficient data protection experience to take on the DPO responsibilities.
• The business is looking for someone pragmatic, commercially minded and comfortable operating with autonomy.
• Someone who can work effectively with senior stakeholders, understand what the business is trying to achieve and give clear advice in a fast-moving environment.
• For the right person, there is significant scope to put their stamp on the legal function and grow with the business.

The role is London-based with hybrid working (3 days in the office per week). The package includes share options, 25 days' holiday + bank holidays, private medical, pension, enhanced parental leave, £250 learning budget and up to 20 days working abroad each year.

This search is being conducted exclusively and confidentially by JHB & Partners.