Senior Legal Counsel (Payments / High-Risk)

Support of the payment business and products with a focus on regulatory risks and compliance. Focus on structuring partnerships, developing contracts, and making decisions in conditions of high uncertainty in the high-risk payments sector.

Responsibilities • Support the payment business and products at all stages of their development. • Advise the business on matters related to payments, PSP, acquiring, payment processing, and associated legal and regulatory risks. • Analyze legislation and regulatory requirements in the company's jurisdictions of operation. • Structure new products, processes, and partnerships considering legal and compliance risks. • Approve and develop commercial agreements: PSP/acquirer agreements, processing agreements, partnership, merchant, and other agreements with counterparties. • Participate in negotiations with payment partners, providers, and other key counterparties. • Support KYC/KYB, AML, sanctions, transaction monitoring, chargebacks, fraud, and other payment/compliance risks in collaboration with relevant teams. • Assess legal risks, develop practical recommendations for the business, and assist in decision-making under conditions of high uncertainty. • Interact with external consultants and local lawyers as needed. • Participate in the development of legal processes and standards within the company.

What is important to us • 3–4+ years of experience in a legal function specifically within payments / PSP / fintech / payment services. • Experience working with high-risk businesses or high-risk merchants/industries. • Good understanding of the payment ecosystem and key legal and regulatory risks in payments. • Experience in independent contract management and negotiations. • Ability to quickly understand new jurisdictions, products, and regulatory requirements. • English language proficiency sufficient for working with international contracts and counterparties. • Ability to communicate with the business in terms of risks, solutions, and trade-offs, not just legislation.

Will be an advantage • Experience working within a PSP, payment institution, acquirer, fintech, or other payment company. • Experience with multiple international jurisdictions. • Practical experience in AML/KYC/KYB, sanctions, licensing, financial regulation. • Experience with merchant acquiring, card schemes, payment processing, or alternative payment methods. • Experience interacting with regulators and external legal consultants. • Experience working with product and compliance teams in a fast-growing business.