Head of Legal

About the role

The company is a regulated FinTech developing an electronic‑money and payment service that is currently progressing through the EMI licensing process. It is looking for a full‑time Head of Legal to lead the licensing workstream and to build and manage the legal function once the licence is granted.

Key responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the legal workstream required to complete the EMI licence application, including preparation of documentation and regulator responses.
• Advise senior leadership on Latvian and EU financial‑services legislation applicable to electronic money and payment services.
• Establish the legal governance framework, internal policies, delegated authorities and decision‑making processes needed for market launch.
• Lead engagement with the regulator, external counsel, auditors, banking partners and other stakeholders.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements with customers, suppliers, payment partners and technology providers.
• Provide legal guidance on product development, customer journeys, disclosures, terms and conditions and market‑entry decisions.
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on the product, operating model and commercial strategy.
• Manage corporate‑governance processes, board documentation, legal registers and ongoing statutory obligations.
• Build the internal legal function and select appropriate external legal support for the operational phase.

Required profile

• Minimum 5 years of legal experience within banking, payments, an EMI, a payment institution or another EU‑regulated financial‑services business.
• Hands‑on involvement in an EMI, payment‑institution or comparable financial‑licence application.
• Proven ability to advise on corporate governance, commercial contracts, product development and regulatory matters.
• Law degree and the professional standing required to practice law in Latvia.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of Latvian and EU financial‑services regulation, especially electronic‑money and payment‑services requirements.
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Ability to lead a legal function through both licensing and operational stages.