Payments Counsel, Middle East

Careers at UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 520,000 - 760,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision insurance

Housing allowance

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Remitly is seeking a Dubai-based Payments Counsel to support growth across the Middle East. You will provide expert legal guidance on regulatory matters, payment agreements, and cross-border licensing initiatives, collaborating with product, compliance, and finance teams.

The role requires proactive, well-organized leadership with strong cross-functional skills and up-to-date knowledge of evolving Middle East regulations.

Qualifications

• Qualified to practice in a relevant jurisdiction with 7+ years of experience across in-house and top national or international law firms.
• Proven experience in financial services, payments, and technology agreements.
• Strong knowledge of GCC payments regulations and related compliance considerations.
• Experience working with regulatory agencies and managing external counsel.

Responsibilities

• Advise on payment products and services, including regulatory aspects and cross-border expansions.
• Draft, negotiate and deliver strategic commercial agreements with partners such as banks and payment processors.
• Support government relations and compliance teams on regulatory engagement matters.
• Monitor changes in payment-related laws and regulations and advise on product updates accordingly.
• Coordinate with external counsel across jurisdictions as needed.
• Handle other legal tasks in the region as required.

Skills

Regulatory/payments expertise

Cross-border expansion experience

In-house and top law firm experience

Arabic proficiency (preferred)

Job description

Payments Counsel, Middle East

Job Description

Remitly’s vision is to transform lives with trusted financial services that transcend borders. Since 2011, we have been tirelessly delivering on our promises to people who send money around the world. Today, we are reimagining global financial services and building products that extend beyond traditional barriers to give customers access to more of the services they need, no matter where they call home. Join over 2,700 employees worldwide who are growing their careers with purpose and connection with our customers while having a positive impact on millions of people around the globe.

About the Role

Remitly is looking for a Dubai based Legal Counsel to support Remitly’s growth across the Middle East. In this role, you will be responsible for providing expert legal support on regulatory matters, payment agreement negotiations, product and service development and driving cross border expansion and licensing initiatives. Working closely with Remitly’s business, product, compliance and finance teams, your role will also involve interpreting and analyzing complex legal and regulatory requirements, identifying areas of risk and opportunity, as well as providing timely and effective advice to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

The successful candidate will be proactive, highly organized, a great cross functional team player and will be able to stay updated on evolving regulatory matters in the Middle East, South Asia and other relevant jurisdictions. This role is based in Dubai and will report to the Legal Director, Payments & Products, Middle East.

You Will

• Advise on payment products and services as well as related regulatory issues applicable to the Remitly business – including the support of cross border expansion initiatives
• Deliver strategic commercial agreements with partners (including banks and payment processors) as well as providing legal advice and support for global projects.
• Support and advise the government relations and compliance teams on regulatory engagement matters
• Monitor and stay current with changes in payment related laws and regulations and advise on any necessary changes to Remitly’s products and services.
• Manage and collaborate with external counsel in various jurisdictions as needed.
• Support with any other legal work in the region.

You Have

• Qualifications to practice in a relevant jurisdiction with 7+ years – preferably including both in-house counsel and top national or international law firm experience.
• Experience in financial services, including advice on payments and technology agreements and product development.
• An in-depth knowledge of the GCC payments regulations and industry standards as well as experience in advising on such regulatory issues in relevant jurisdictions. Experience of the payments regulatory environment in other jurisdictions is also strongly preferred.
• Experience working with regulatory agencies and managing external counsel.
• Demonstrated ability of leading cross functional legal projects and ability to implement programmes of regulatory change in a fast pace, high growth environment, across multiple countries and timezones.
• A practical and self-motivated attitude, happy to work on high level, complex projects.
• Full professional proficiency in Arabic is strongly preferred.

Our Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance & Income Protection
• Housing Allowance
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Commuter Reimbursement
• Mental Health & Family Forming benefits
• Learning & development benefits

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to nondiscrimination across our global organization and in all of our business operations. Employment is determined based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identification and expression, marital status, military status or status as an honorably discharge/veteran, pregnancy (including a woman’s potential to get pregnant, pregnancy-related conditions, and childbearing), sexual orientation, age (40 and over), national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, physical, mental, or sensory disability (including the use of a trained dog guide or service animal), HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C status, genetic information, status as an actual or perceived victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other protected class as established by law.

Remitly is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.