Senior Corporate Counsel

EML•Overland Park, KS

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

EML Payments is seeking a commercially minded senior lawyer to lead legal for its North American business across the US and Canada. Reporting to the Group General Counsel, the Senior Corporate Counsel will serve on the North American leadership team as principal legal advisor to regional leaders. The role supports revenue growth, market expansion, and product launches in a regulated payments environment while managing legal risk. This hands-on role is embedded in the business and carries broad decision-making authority. The Senior Corporate Counsel will lead Company Secretarial activity for North American entities, serve as a Director of many of those entities, and participate as a senior member of the Group Legal leadership team, contributing to global legal strategy and representing the North American perspective. EML Payments is a global fintech company, issuer, and processor that provides alternatives to traditional banking solutions through reloadable and non-reloadable payment programs. The company emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, collaboration, teamwork, innovation, partnership, and operational excellence. Offers are conditional on satisfactory pre-employment background screening, which may include a criminal record check; disclosures are assessed fairly and in line with local law.

Requirements

Law degree.
Active licence to practise in at least one US jurisdiction.
Typically 15+ years in commercial and corporate legal roles.
Solid knowledge of US regulatory frameworks for payments, prepaid products, and financial services.
Significant experience negotiating complex commercial, partnership, technology, and payments agreements.
Track record of partnering with commercial and product teams to structure deals and accelerate execution.
Strong commercial acumen and ability to turn legal risk into clear, pragmatic advice for executives.
Experience leading and developing legal teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and confidence in leadership forums.

Nice To Haves

Experience in fintech, payments, financial services, or another regulated industry.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary legal advisor to North American commercial teams and draft and negotiate complex customer, card program, and channel agreements.
Negotiate vendor, technology, processing, and partnership agreements for North America and key global initiatives.
Partner with Risk and Compliance on US federal, state, and card-network requirements.
Advise on regulatory and contractual considerations throughout product development and launch, and support global product initiatives as needed.
Lead governance activities, including overseeing board materials, resolutions, and corporate records; support audits, examinations, and regulator or partner inquiries.
Advise HR on US employment law, investigations, policies, handbooks, and benefits compliance.
Manage regional contentious matters and key global disputes; instruct and manage external counsel, including scope, budget, and cost control.
Provide business frameworks, tools, and training so legal resources focus on the highest-value and most complex work.
Lead Company Secretarial activity for North American entities and serve as a Director of many of them.
Contribute to global legal strategy as a senior member of the Group Legal leadership team and represent the North American perspective.

Benefits

Competitive salary benchmarked to the market.
Participation in the company bonus scheme.
Employer-provided health insurance.
401(k).
Flexible hybrid working.
Five extra annual leave days, a birthday day off, and two volunteer days a year.
Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
Funding for professional memberships, certifications, and conferences.
Opportunities for international travel.
Exposure to cutting-edge, API-first payment technology and a voice in product and process innovation.