Group Head of Legal

Altery • London, CA

19d • Remote

About The Position

The Group Head of Legal will serve as the senior executive responsible for Altery Group’s global legal function, governance, and risk management. Reporting to the Group CFO, this role ensures that the Group’s business operations, partnerships, and expansion initiatives are fully compliant with international, EU, and local regulations whilst enabling secure and sustainable growth.
This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on expertise — providing comprehensive legal support across the Group, managing regulatory engagement, and ensuring that corporate frameworks and internal documentation remain robust, effective, and future-proof.

Requirements

• Law degree (LLB or equivalent); advanced legal qualifications (LLM, Bar admission) strongly preferred.
• 10–15 years of post-qualification legal experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role in financial services, fintech, or payments.
• Strong expertise in international corporate law, regulatory frameworks, and commercial transactions.
• Demonstrated experience with EU regulators and licensing processes, as well as cross-border compliance.
• Proven ability to manage global teams and external counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
• Ability to translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into actionable business guidance.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills in multicultural, remote environments.
• Deep knowledge of PSD2, GDPR, AMLD, MiCAR, DORA, and global financial services regulation.
• Exceptional negotiation, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluency in English required; additional European or global languages as an advantage.
• Honesty & Integrity: No criminal record, regulatory sanctions, or bankruptcy.
• Financial Soundness: Sound financial standing and responsibility.
• Competence & Capability: Proven expertise in managing legal frameworks within a regulated global financial group.
• Must meet “fit and proper” criteria of relevant regulators for Group-level key function holders, if designated.

Nice To Haves

• Law degree (LLB or equivalent); advanced legal qualifications (LLM, Bar admission) strongly preferred.
• Fluency in English required; additional European or global languages as an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Legal Strategy & Governance
• Develop and implement the Group’s legal strategy aligned with global business objectives.
• Provide comprehensive legal support to all companies within the Group.
• Establish and maintain Group-wide legal frameworks, corporate governance structures, and internal documentation (agreements, employment contracts, NDAs).
• Advise the CFO, CEO, and Board on legal risks, opportunities, and implications of strategic decisions.
• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
• Ensure compliance with EU financial services law (PSD2, GDPR, AMLD, MiCAR, DORA) and equivalent frameworks in other jurisdictions.
• Obtain necessary licences, engage with regulators, and participate in the launch of new jurisdictional licences.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes globally, advising on operational and strategic impacts.
• Provide legal counsel on compliance, anti-money laundering (AML), and know your customer (KYC) processes with external counterparts.
• Corporate & Commercial Transactions
• Offer legal guidance on all commercial transactions and Group-wide business partnerships.
• Support the onboarding of new partners and refine contractual frameworks for business operations.
• Lead expertise in international corporate law, including structuring, share purchase/acquisition of entities, and establishment of new entities under the Group.
• Select suitable jurisdictions and register new companies for IT, payments, and agency services.
• Structure financial transactions in accordance with international law.
• Risk Management & Dispute Resolution
• Oversee legal risk management and mitigation strategies across the Group.
• Handle disputes at the claim/judicial stages, including drafting responses, negotiating settlements, and evaluating legal prospects.
• Manage disputes and litigation with external counterparts, protecting Group interests at all stages.
• External Counsel & International Support
• Manage external legal service providers across jurisdictions, including consultation, translation, notarisation, and company registration.
• Ensure cost-effective, high-quality legal support for global operations.
• Represent Altery Group in legal networks, regulatory consultations, and industry forums.

Benefits

• A pivotal Group-level leadership role ensuring legal and regulatory integrity across all Altery entities.
• The opportunity to shape and scale the Group’s legal function in partnership with the CFO, CEO, and Board.
• Remote working flexibility with global impact and engagement across regulators, external counsel, and industry stakeholders.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed