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- Tasks: Lead and scale Rapyd's European legal function, advising on complex legal matters.
- Company: Join Rapyd, a global leader in unified payments and fintech innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fast-paced fintech world while shaping legal strategy.
- Qualifications: 12+ years of legal experience, especially in payments and banking sectors.
- Other info: Work with a diverse team across multiple countries and drive strategic transactions.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Rapyd has unified payments, payouts and fintech on one worldwide platform, and we are assembling the world’s best team to liberate global commerce. With offices in Tel Aviv, Amsterdam, Singapore, Iceland, London, Dubai, Hong Kong, and the U.S., the opportunities at Rapyd are limitless. We believe in straight talk, quick decisions, strong execution and elegant solutions. Rapyd is where hard work pays off and careers take off. Join us and let’s build the future of fintech together.
We are looking for an experienced Head of Legal - Europe to lead and scale Rapyd's European legal function. This is a senior leadership role with broad responsibility across commercial, regulatory, and strategic legal matters, supporting Rapyd's rapidly growing payments business across Europe. As Head of Legal - Europe, you will serve as a trusted advisor to regional leadership and global stakeholders, with direct impact on key client relationships, strategic partnerships, and product expansion. You will bring deep expertise in payments, card scheme rules (Visa, Mastercard and others), and regulated financial services, along with the ability to balance legal risk with commercial outcomes in a fast-paced fintech environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Legal Leadership & Strategy: Lead the European legal function, setting legal strategy aligned with Rapyd's global objectives and regional growth plans. Act as a senior legal advisor to European management, providing clear, pragmatic guidance on complex legal and regulatory issues. Partner closely with global Legal, Compliance, Risk, Product, and Commercial teams.
- Commercial & Payments Legal: Review, draft, negotiate, and interpret a broad range of complex commercial agreements, including Merchant and Partnership agreements, Vendor, technology, marketing, and strategic alliance agreements. Provide expert guidance on card scheme rules, operating regulations, and compliance requirements, including scheme enforcement, audits, chargebacks, and dispute frameworks.
- Regulatory & Risk Management: Advise on European financial services regulations relevant to payments (e.g., PSD2/PSD3, E-Money, AML, safeguarding, outsourcing). Support product launches and new market entries across Europe from a legal and regulatory perspective. Identify, assess, and manage legal and regulatory risks, proposing commercially sound mitigation strategies.
- Corporate Governance & Company Secretarial Matters: Support European corporate governance requirements, including preparation for and attendance at board and committee meetings. Draft, review, and maintain board papers, resolutions, and meeting minutes, ensuring accurate record-keeping and compliance with applicable laws. Advise on corporate structure matters across European entities, working closely with Finance and external advisors. Ensure adherence to internal governance policies and best practices.
- Mergers, Acquisitions & Strategic Transactions: Lead and manage M&A and strategic investment transactions in Europe, from structuring through execution and post-closing integration. Drive legal due diligence processes, identify key risks, and advise senior stakeholders on mitigation strategies. Negotiate transaction documentation, including SPAs, asset purchase agreements, joint ventures, and related ancillary agreements. Coordinate and manage external counsel across jurisdictions to ensure efficient and cost-effective deal execution.
Requirements
- 12+ years of post-qualification legal experience, ideally combining top-tier law firm experience with senior in-house roles.
- Significant experience in the payments and/or banking sector is essential.
- Deep, hands-on understanding of card scheme rules (e.g., Visa, Mastercard), including their application in commercial arrangements and operational contexts.
- Proven experience supporting or leading legal work for global, multi-jurisdictional businesses, preferably in fintech or high-growth technology companies.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance legal risk and business priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex negotiations and manage high-value, strategic agreements.
- Excellent judgment, strategic thinking, and attention to detail.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity, complexity, and fast-changing environments.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects under tight timelines.
- Fluency in English (additional European languages are a plus).
Head of Legal, Europe employer: Rapyd
Contact Detail:
Rapyd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal, Europe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fintech and legal sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Legal role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare to discuss your experience with payments and regulatory matters in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've navigated complex legal challenges in fast-paced environments.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! When you get the chance to interview, make sure you can clearly articulate how your skills align with Rapyd's goals. Highlight your ability to balance legal risk with commercial outcomes—this is key in fintech.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the team at Rapyd. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal, Europe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Legal role. Highlight your experience in payments and regulatory matters, as well as your leadership skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Rapyd!
Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on detailing your knowledge of card scheme rules and financial regulations. We’re looking for someone who can navigate complex legal landscapes, so make it clear how you’ve done this in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. We appreciate direct communication!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rapyd
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of payments, card scheme rules, and European financial regulations. Be ready to discuss how these elements impact business decisions and legal strategies, as this role requires a deep understanding of the legal landscape in fintech.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading legal teams and advising senior management. Think about specific situations where your guidance made a significant impact on business outcomes, especially in high-pressure environments.
✨Be Ready for Complex Negotiations
Expect questions about your negotiation tactics and experiences with high-value agreements. Have a few stories ready that demonstrate your ability to balance legal risks with commercial objectives, particularly in M&A or strategic transactions.
✨Engage with Confidence
This role involves interacting with senior stakeholders, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you would approach building relationships across different teams and regions, showcasing your interpersonal skills.
