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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial legal matters and negotiate contracts in a fast-paced FinTech environment.
- Company: Join Planet, a leading tech company revolutionising payments with a focus on customer experience.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-growth company while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years PQE in commercial law, preferably in FinTech or financial services.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with a focus on innovation and career development.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
About Us
Planet is a leading technology company transforming payments by putting customer experience first. We offer integrated solutions that include payment processing, VAT refunds, dynamic currency conversion, and management services for merchants in the Retail and Hospitality sectors worldwide. In recent years, we have experienced significant growth, expanding our services and global presence. With strong private equity investors, Advent International and Eurazeo, we have the financial capital and expertise to grow our capabilities and reach through acquisitions. Our mission is to create a world of connected commerce where payments are simple, secure, and seamless, enabling our partners to deliver exceptional experiences to their customers.
Role Overview
Planet is seeking an experienced legal counsel with a strong commercial background within FinTech, financial services and/or software sectors. Reporting directly to the Deputy General Counsel, the successful candidate will join a team of lawyers that provide practical, solutions–oriented advice to deliver on Planet’s strategic, business, and financial goals whilst meeting its regulatory, statutory, and legislative obligations.
What you will do
- Act as the lead commercial lawyer for Planet, as a member of the Legal, Risk and Compliance (LRC) team.
- Draft, review and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements including those involving the provision of acquiring, gateway, terminal and other value-added payment, tax refund and integrated software services.
- Review and support responses to business proposals/tenders/RFPs.
- Produce and/or maintain various standard agreements.
- Develop playbooks and standard contractual provisions to further and enhance the speed, efficiency, and effectiveness of commercial agreements.
- Coordinate team-wide initiatives, develop best practices and mentor more junior members of the team.
- Advise and deliver on special, growth projects including new product developments and geographical expansions, taking into consideration their legal and regulatory impact.
- Support M&A activity inclusive of performing due diligence on target companies, evaluating risks and opportunities of the target from a legal and regulatory perspective, and integrating the target into the commercial and legal operations into Planet’s Legal, Risk & Compliance organization.
- Remain well versed on regulatory matters that relate and/or arise out of the payment and software products and services offered by Planet such as PSD2+, payment services regulations in the UK, France and broader EEA, AML/CT regulations, GDPR, tax refund regimes, and retail financial services.
- Keep fully conversant with the new and emerging product lines developed by Planet and with the wider payments and software innovation ecosystem.
- Identify, communicate, and ensure all legal risks are within appetite. If necessary, escalate legal risks together with appropriate recommendations and mitigations.
Who you are
- We are looking for someone that is passionate about commercial matters and contract negotiations, and thrives helping sales teams achieve their goals.
- 8-10 years PQE of industry experience in an in-house legal department and/or leading law firm.
- Lawyers qualified in common-law jurisdictions are preferred for this role, although candidates with the right experience and skillset will be considered.
- Experience in relation to (as many of the following as possible): direct acquiring; indirect acquiring with sponsoring banks, payment processing, gateway services, and multi-currency pricing solutions for a payment services provider (or equivalent), FinTech, e-money institution and/or financial institution; property management software.
- A passion for simplification and efficiency/process improvement.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, tackle ad hoc projects as they arise/are assigned, successfully manage multiple deadlines and have a flexible approach.
- Demonstrate a keen, working understanding of the legal issues affecting the payments industry, including AML/CTF, data protection/security, safeguarding, funds flows, and transactional reporting to regulators.
- A business-first mind-set with a drive to find solutions that allow business and market share growth in a prudent and long-term-oriented approach.
- Be proficient in English, our main working language. Additional languages including French, and German, in particular, are a plus.
Why Planet
Planet is an equal opportunity employer where diversity is valued, and all employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. Come and grow your career in the most exciting, fast paced technology market, with a business that delivers feel-good connected commerce. We would love to hear from you – Apply now. At Planet, we embrace a hybrid work model, with three days a week in the office. Reasonable accommodations may be made in order to allow for an individual to perform the essential functions of this role successfully.
Senior Legal Director employer: Planet
Contact Detail:
Planet Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Director
✨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 to current employees at Planet. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Show Off Your Expertise
When you get the chance to meet potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience in commercial law and the payments sector. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles – it’ll show you’re the right fit for Planet’s fast-paced environment.
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on Planet and its services. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your skills align with their goals. Prepare questions that show you’re genuinely interested in their growth and how you can contribute to it.
✨Follow Up
After any interaction, whether it’s an interview or a networking event, send a quick thank-you note. It’s a simple way to keep yourself top of mind and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Legal Director role. Highlight your commercial expertise in FinTech and any relevant legal experience to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the payments industry and how your background makes you the perfect fit for Planet. Keep it engaging and personal.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've contributed to previous teams, especially in contract negotiations or M&A activities, to demonstrate your impact.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Planet!
How to prepare for a job interview at Planet
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest regulations and trends in the payments industry, especially around AML/CTF and GDPR. Being well-versed in these areas will show that you're not just a legal expert but also someone who understands the business landscape.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your experience with commercial agreements and how you've successfully navigated contract negotiations in the past. Highlight specific examples where your legal advice directly contributed to business growth or efficiency.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to M&A activities or regulatory challenges. Think through your approach to risk assessment and how you would advise the team on potential legal pitfalls.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring junior team members, be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share experiences where you've led initiatives or developed best practices that improved team performance or streamlined processes.
