Head of Legal

The client is a fast-growing FinTech company undergoing the Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licensing process in Latvia. This is a pivotal moment in their journey, requiring strong legal leadership to build a compliant, scalable foundation. The role offers a unique opportunity to take ownership of all legal matters — from drafting core documentation to shaping governance frameworks. Initially positioned as a senior legal expert, this role is designed to evolve into Head of Legal in the short term.

🔍 Responsibilities:

• Lead all legal activities related to EMI licensing and ongoing regulatory compliance in Latvia and the EU;
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including partnerships, vendor agreements, and customer terms;
• Develop and maintain internal legal policies, procedures, and governance frameworks;
• Act as the primary legal advisor to senior management on regulatory, contractual, and operational matters;
• Ensure alignment with EU financial regulations, including PSD2, AML, and data protection requirements;
• Collaborate closely with Compliance, Risk, and Operations teams to support licensing and audit processes;
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and regulatory authorities;
• Identify and mitigate legal risks across business activities and product development;
• Support corporate structuring, board matters, and internal decision-making processes.

🎓 Requirements:

• 3+ years of legal experience, ideally within FinTech, financial services, or regulated environments;
• Strong knowledge of EU regulatory frameworks, especially EMI, PSD2, AML, and financial compliance;
• Proven experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial and financial contracts;
• Hands-on, proactive mindset with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment;
• Experience supporting licensing processes or working with regulators is highly desirable;
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate legal complexity into business insights;
• Qualified lawyer (EU jurisdiction preferred;
• Fluent in English; Latvian or Russian is a plus.

✨ The Employer Offers:

• Opportunity to shape the legal function from the ground up;
• Direct impact on a high-growth FinTech entering a regulated market;
• Collaborative, international team environment;
• Flexible hybrid working model;
• Exposure to strategic decision-making and leadership;
• Competitive salary aligned with seniority and growth potential; €4,000 - €7,000 gross per month.

If you’re ready to take ownership of a legal function and play a key role in a FinTech licensing journey, let’s talk!