Head of Legal, Europe in London
Head of Legal, Europe

Head of Legal, Europe in London

London Full-Time 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale the European legal function for a fast-growing fintech company.
  • Company: Join Rapyd, a global leader in unified payments and fintech solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of fintech while working with top industry experts.
  • Qualifications: 12+ years of legal experience, especially in payments or banking sectors.
  • Other info: Work in a collaborative culture with offices worldwide and limitless opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ 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 in London employer: Rapyd

Rapyd is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, empowering employees to thrive in the fast-paced fintech landscape. With a commitment to professional growth, team collaboration, and impactful decision-making, Rapyd offers unparalleled opportunities for career advancement across its vibrant European offices. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team where your contributions directly shape the future of global commerce.
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Contact Detail:

Rapyd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Legal, Europe in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the fintech space, especially those who might know someone at Rapyd. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Rapyd's business model and recent news. Show us you’re not just another candidate but someone who’s genuinely interested in our mission to revolutionise global commerce.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with the Head of Legal role. We want to hear how you can tackle complex legal challenges while driving commercial success.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal, Europe in London

Legal Leadership
Commercial Acumen
Payments Expertise
Card Scheme Rules Knowledge
Regulatory Compliance
Risk Management
Corporate Governance
Mergers and Acquisitions
Negotiation Skills
Strategic Thinking
Attention to Detail
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Project Management
Fluency in English

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, and show how your skills align with Rapyd's mission to revolutionise global commerce.

Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on detailing your knowledge of card scheme rules and financial regulations. We want to see how your deep understanding can contribute to our legal strategy and support our rapid growth in Europe.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to convey your thoughts and avoid jargon unless necessary. We appreciate direct communication that reflects the values we uphold at Rapyd.

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 this exciting opportunity to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Rapyd

✨Know Your Legal Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of payments law, card scheme rules, and European financial regulations. Be ready to discuss how these apply to Rapyd's operations and how you can navigate complex legal landscapes.

✨Show Your Strategic Thinking

Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to balance legal risks with commercial outcomes. Think about past experiences where you've successfully advised on strategic decisions or led negotiations that had a significant impact on the business.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Since this role involves advising senior management, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you would approach building relationships with key stakeholders and how you can add value to their decision-making processes.

✨Be Ready for Fast-Paced Questions

Given the dynamic nature of fintech, expect questions that test your ability to operate under pressure. Think of scenarios where you've had to make quick decisions or adapt to changing circumstances, and be ready to share those stories.

Head of Legal, Europe in London
Rapyd
Location: London

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