At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex commercial negotiations and shape legal strategy for global operations.
- Company: Join OpenPayd, a pioneer in universal financial infrastructure for the digital economy.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £3000 training budget, gym discounts, health insurance, and 25 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping the future of finance.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 7+ years PQE and experience in regulated financial services.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth and a focus on team success.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
At OpenPayd, we are building a universal financial infrastructure to power the growth of the digital economy. Our rails-agnostic approach empowers any business to move and manage money globally - across both traditional rails and stablecoins — at scale, and in real time. The OpenPayd platform delivers a suite of banking and payments infrastructure: accounts in over 40 currencies, FX, on/off ramp, international and domestic payments, Open Banking services – all via a single API. A global network of licences alongside our best-in-class tech is why we’re trusted by 800+ enterprise clients to process over €130 billion annually.
The Senior Commercial Counsel will act as a trusted legal advisor and strategic partner across OpenPayd’s global operations. This role is responsible for leading complex commercial negotiations, shaping legal strategy, and ensuring that client, supplier, and partner engagements are aligned with regulatory requirements across the UK, EU, and other international markets. The Senior Commercial Counsel will proactively identify and mitigate legal risk, enable scalable and compliant business growth, and contribute to the continued maturity of OpenPayd’s legal function.
How will you add value to the OpenPayd Journey:
- Lead negotiation and delivery of high-value, high-complexity client contracts.
- Oversee supplier onboarding strategy, including negotiation of key supplier and banking partner agreements, ensuring compliance with DORA, EBA and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
- Act as an escalation and decision point for complex legal queries across the business.
- Ensure consistent application of legal standards and processes across all jurisdictions.
- Develop and deliver internal training, guidance, and strategic insights on legal, regulatory and commercial matters, including international expansion.
- Provide expert commercial legal guidance across all functional areas of the business.
- Lead high-risk or strategically significant commercial contract negotiations.
- Advise senior stakeholders across Sales, Customer Success, Compliance, Operations, Finance, Risk, InfoSec and Technology.
- Manage a small team of commercial lawyers and/or paralegals, and provide leadership and mentoring within the wider Legal team.
- Own and oversee periodic updates of client terms.
- Manage the trademarks portfolio.
- Drive improvements to legal processes, templates, and operational frameworks.
- Support regulatory-related matters with Compliance and Risk.
- Lead legal workstream for international expansion projects.
- Monitor legal, regulatory and market developments globally.
- Build strong cross-functional relationships to support strategic decision-making.
The ideal candidate will have the following:
- Qualified lawyer (common law or civil law jurisdictions considered); typically 7+ years PQE.
- Experience in regulated financial services, payments, or e-money.
- Strong background in commercial contracting and leading complex negotiations.
- Ability to operate autonomously and influence senior stakeholders.
- Excellent knowledge of payments, e-money, and understanding of digital assets.
- Strong written and spoken English with ability to communicate to non-legal stakeholders.
- Experience developing legal processes, playbooks, or governance structures is a plus.
- Confident, proactive and able to manage a demanding workload.
- Comfortable making decisions in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Flexible, collaborative and open-minded, with a strong sense of ownership for both legal team and company outcomes.
Our Perks and Benefits:
- Personal training budget - £3000
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Discounted gym membership - £80 towards any gym
- Corporate discounts via Perk Box
- Travel loan
- Company Pension plan, % from the employer
- Health, Life, Dental Insurance
- Friday office breakfasts, office fruits and a full bar & regular team social
- 25 days annual leave plus the Bank Holidays, extra day off for Birthday & Social Volunteering
- Early Friday Finish 4pm
- Discretionary Annual Bonus Scheme
Senior Commercial Counsel in London employer: OpenPayd
Contact Detail:
OpenPayd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Counsel in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and services, especially how they relate to financial infrastructure. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Commercial Counsel, you’ll need to lead complex negotiations. Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable discussing terms and conditions, and don’t forget to highlight your experience in regulated financial services during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really want to be part of OpenPayd’s mission to power the digital economy.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Counsel in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Commercial Counsel role. Highlight your experience in commercial contracting and any relevant legal qualifications. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for OpenPayd. Share specific examples of your past experiences that relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves advising senior stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your strong written communication skills. Keep your application clear and concise, and make sure to proofread for any errors before hitting send!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at OpenPayd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial law, especially in the context of regulated financial services and payments. Familiarise yourself with key regulations like DORA and EBA, as well as the specifics of OpenPayd's operations. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of complex negotiations you've led in the past. Be ready to discuss your approach, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will not only highlight your experience but also give insight into your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
✨Build Cross-Functional Relationships
Think about how you can foster collaboration across different teams. Be prepared to discuss how you've worked with stakeholders from various departments in previous roles. This will show that you understand the importance of teamwork in achieving legal and business objectives.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about OpenPayd’s legal strategies, team dynamics, and future projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company culture aligns with your values. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with your interviewers on a deeper level.