Head of Legal, Europe

Rapyd; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fintech company in the UK seeks an experienced Head of Legal – Europe to lead its European legal function. This senior role entails providing strategic legal guidance, managing regulatory compliance, and overseeing complex agreements in the payments sector. The ideal candidate has over 12 years of legal experience, including significant expertise in card scheme rules and a strong commercial acumen. Strong communication skills and the ability to lead negotiations are essential for success in this fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of post-qualification legal experience, ideally combining top-tier law firm and in-house roles.
• Significant experience in the payments/banking sector is essential.
• Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and manage high-value agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the European legal function, setting legal strategy aligned with global objectives.
• Review, draft, negotiate complex commercial agreements.
• Advise on European financial services regulations relevant to payments.

Skills

Deep understanding of card scheme rules

Strong commercial acumen

Excellent judgment

Exceptional communication skills

Education

12+ years of post-qualification legal experience

Experience in payments and/or banking sector

Job description

Rapyd has unified payments, payouts and fintech on one worldwide platform, and we’re 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 a 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).