Head of Commercial Legal

HEAD OF COMMERCIAL LEGAL - FINTECH
WELWYN GARDEN CITY (HYBRID; 2-3 DAYS PER WEEK IN OFFICE)
£125,000 - £140,000
PERMANENT ROLE

Role Overview:
Morgan Philips Specialist Recruitment is pleased to be representing a leading UK based payment services company in their search for a Head of Commercial Legal. Reporting to the General Counsel, the successful candidate will own a broad commercial role which involves leading and managing a team of 3, supporting a high volume of contracts for all businesses across the group. The role will include drafting and negotiating large, complex commercial agreements for innovative new FinTech services, advising on strategic matters, supplier contracts and providing support to the business in areas such as GDPR, data protection and data security issues.

Key Accountabilities:

1. Lead, guide and develop the Contracts and Commercial Legal Team to ensure an efficient and effective team that is able to meet the needs of the business.
2. Lead the team in its provision of legal support, allocating and prioritising work effectively across the team and providing guidance to team members as appropriate.
3. Draft and negotiate large, complex commercial agreements, including for the company's FCA regulated businesses in collaboration with senior internal stakeholders.
4. Provide expert advice and guidance on commercial matters including GDPR, data protection and data security.
5. Identify and resolve complex legal and commercial issues.
6. Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across the business to ensure that legal matters are understood and handled appropriately.
7. Manage external advisers and other stakeholders in the successful and timely delivery of transactions and projects.
8. Review and update existing precedent contracts and processes used by the Legal Department with a view to driving the efficient delivery of legal support to the business.
9. Collaborate with other members of the Legal Team to support a One Team approach.

About You:

1. A UK qualified lawyer, with significant post qualified experience and a strong academic background.
2. Proven commercial contracts expertise; strong technical drafting skills.
3. Experience of GDPR, data protection and data security issues is essential.
4. Experience of working with FCA regulated business and a basic understanding of regulatory principles and themes is essential.
5. Experience of working in the FinTech or payments sectors is an advantage but is not essential.
6. Strong in-house experience in a similar role with some managerial responsibility is preferred.
7. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and adept at liaising with stakeholders from all levels of the business.
8. Demonstrable people management/ supervisory/ team leadership experience.