At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial and corporate legal functions in a dynamic RegTech environment.
- Company: Join Shufti, a global leader in AI-powered identity verification and anti-money laundering solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and the chance to build your own legal function.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and a collaborative culture await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced industry while growing into senior leadership roles.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with strong commercial contracting and cross-border legal experience.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
About Shufti
Shufti is a global leader in AI-powered identity verification (IDV) and anti-money laundering (AML)
About Shufti
Shufti is a global leader in AI-powered identity verification (IDV) and anti-money laundering (AML) solutions, offering advanced KYC (Know Your Customer), KYB (Know Your Business) and KYI (Know Your Investor) services that enable businesses to onboard customers securely and meet regulatory requirements.
Founded in 2017 and trusted by industry leaders in Fin Tech, Crypto, Banking, E-commerce, and i Gaming, our technology delivers real-time verification in over 240 countries and territories, empowering a safer, fraud-free digital world.
Position purpose
Lead the Commercial & Corporate Legal pillar for a global Reg Tech (KYC/AML/KYB) business — owning commercial contracting, corporate governance and cross-border legal work.
You will build the function and its playbooks from a lean base, partner closely with the Compliance and Privacy pillars, and grow into the senior leadership of the Legal, Compliance & Privacy department.
This is a build-and-own role for a commercially minded lawyer who wants scope, ownership and a clear progression path rather than a narrow, process-bound seat.
The role is offered at Commercial Legal Counsel level and is expected to progress to Senior Commercial Legal Counsel on successful completion of the probationary period, with a further track toward Head of Department as the function matures.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial contracting
- Own the end-to-end commercial contracting engine: a live contract repository, an agreed turnaround SLA, and a clear signing-authority matrix.
- Build and maintain self-serve playbooks and templates (NDAs, customer, vendor and data-processing agreements) so routine agreements move quickly and consistently.
- Clear the live contract queue and keep it current, escalating only genuine risk items.
- Cross-border & international
- Draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements across the global network — UK, EU, UAE, US and APAC — coordinating local counsel where required.
- Support international expansion and market-entry work with fit-for-jurisdiction terms.
- Corporate governance & company secretarial
- Run corporate governance reliably across group entities: board and committee minutes, resolutions, statutory filings and entity governance.
- Maintain accurate corporate records and support the group’s multi-entity structure.
- Strategic transactions
- Support fundraising rounds and any M&A activity with clean documentation and diligence-ready records.
- Coordinate external counsel efficiently, controlling scope and cost.
- Privacy & data-protection adjacency
- Partner the Privacy pillar on DPAs, GDPR / UK GDPR matters and AI-regulatory change (including the EU AI Act) as they affect commercial terms.
- Leadership & function-building
- Mentor and support the Legal Counsel and Legal Associate, and coordinate across the Compliance and Privacy pillars.
- Build the pillar’s processes, registers and playbooks, and demonstrate readiness to take on department leadership.
- Required Qualifications
- Qualified lawyer (England & Wales, or equivalent common-law jurisdiction) with a strong commercial and corporate practice background.
- Demonstrable ownership of commercial contracting end-to-end — drafting and negotiating NDAs, customer, vendor and data-processing agreements.
- Cross-border / international commercial legal experience across multiple jurisdictions.
- Corporate governance and company-secretarial experience across one or more entities.
- Sound working knowledge of data-protection law (GDPR / UK GDPR) as it applies to commercial arrangements.
- Strong stakeholder management — able to work directly with sales, product, compliance and senior leadership.
- High learning agility and the appetite to build a function rather than inherit one.
- Preferred Qualifications
- In-house experience at a fintech, Reg Tech, Saa S, payments or other regulated-technology business.
- Direct exposure to KYC / AML / KYB, sanctions or identity-verification subject matter.
- Experience supporting fundraising or M&A alongside a general or fractional general counsel.
- Dual qualification, or experience coordinating US and international counsel.
- Early people-management or mentoring experience, or clear readiness for it.
- What Success Looks Like (first 12 Months)
- A live contract engine - repository, turnaround SLA, signing-authority matrix and self-serve playbooks - with the standing queue cleared.
- Cross-border commercial contracting owned reliably across the network, with reduced reliance on external counsel for routine work.
- Corporate governance running dependably across entities, with clean minutes, resolutions and records.
- A strong working partnership with the Compliance and Privacy pillars, and demonstrated readiness to progress to Senior Commercial Legal Counsel.
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Senior Legal Counsel in Nottingham employer: Shufti
Shufti is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development within a dynamic work culture. Located in a vibrant environment, we offer competitive benefits and unique opportunities to lead in the fast-paced world of identity verification and compliance, making your contributions impactful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel in Nottingham
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Shufti, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Shufti and the specific role of Senior Legal Counsel. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Shufti’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shufti
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Shufti.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Shufti.
