Lead Legal Counsel

Scope Markets; London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading trading services firm in London is seeking a Lead Legal Counsel to support the business on legal and regulatory matters. You will advise on financial services laws, manage legal complexities across jurisdictions, and draft commercial agreements. The ideal candidate has over 7 years of experience in the fintech sector and is skilled in legal advice related to investment services. This role offers competitive remuneration and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Attractive Remuneration

Generous Time Off

Pension Scheme

Flexible Work Arrangements

Career Growth

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years post-qualification experience in online trading or fintech sector.
• Knowledge of financial instruments including derivatives and contracts.
• Exceptional command of English, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Advise on corporate governance and impact of strategic decisions.
• Draft and negotiate commercial agreements.
• Conduct legal and regulatory risk assessments.

Skills

Legal Expertise

Analytical and Problem-Solving Ability

Attention to Detail

Strong Communication Skills

Negotiation Proficiency

Education

University degree in Law (LLB or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Legal research tools (e.g., Practical Law, LexisNexis)

Job description

Overview

Scope Markets, the brand used by the Rostro Group offers institutional and retail trading services to businesses and traders worldwide. Our top management team has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, and we are proud of the solid partnerships we built over the years. Whether it's a business or individual, Scope Markets has a wide range of trading solutions that are compliant, flexible, cost-efficient, innovative, and place the client first.

The Role

The Lead Legal Counsel is responsible for supporting the business on a broad range of legal and regulatory matters in the services investment sector. This role involves providing expert legal advice on adherence to financial services laws, engaging with developments in the legal framework, and supporting new strategic initiatives from an applicable legislation standpoint.

How You Can Make a Difference

• Advise executive leadership on legal risk, corporate governance, and the impact of strategic decisions
• Lead legal input into global regulatory strategy, licensing pathways, and international compliance frameworks
• Support M&A activity, corporate restructuring, and group governance across regulated jurisdictions
• Represent the company in engagements with external counsel, regulators, and cross-border legal authorities
• Monitor and interpret changes in global, regional, and national laws affecting fintech operations
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements including, for example, SaaS, vendor, service level, licensing, NDAs, and partnership contracts
• Handle legal documentation related to investment services and operations (e.g. distribution agreements, ISDA documentation, trading terms)
• Provide legal and regulatory guidance for new product development and distribution strategies, including fintech licensing requirements
• Advise on data protection, cybersecurity, and privacy laws (e.g. GDPR, ISO standards) throughout the product lifecycle
• Identify and mitigate legal risks tied to financial services, emerging technologies, and operational expansion
• Conduct legal and regulatory risk assessments to support new business initiatives and product launches
• Collaborate with Compliance, Risk, Finance, and Ops teams to ensure internal controls meet legal and regulatory expectations
• Develop and maintain internal contract lifecycle management, legal policy frameworks, and documentation standards
• Coordinate external counsel for litigation, dispute resolution, and specialised advisory support
• Handle IP matters, including protection, enforcement, and technology licensing
• Provide legal advice and support across departments (Sales, Tech, Product, HR, Finance, Compliance)
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with front office, operations, and tech teams on business-wide initiatives
• Lead and mentor junior legal team members or legal secondees; promote legal best practices and skill development
• Build a high-trust, psychologically safe legal function aligned with company values and global growth strategy
• Conduct legal research and maintain awareness of industry standards and legislative trends
• Contribute to legal department strategy and assist with ad hoc legal matters as required

Requirements

• A university degree in Law (LLB or equivalent); further qualifications such as an LLM or MBA are advantageous
• Minimum of 7 years’ post-qualification experience within the online trading or fintech sector, with demonstrable exposure to regulatory frameworks and global contracting
• Knowledge and hands-on experience with financial instruments, equities, stock lending and stock borrowing, and derivatives, including swaps, futures, and CFDs
• Familiarity with virtual assets and emerging digital financial products is considered an asset
• Proven experience in managing legal complexity across jurisdictions, including corporate structuring, licensing, and compliance
• Exceptional command of the English language, both written and spoken
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and working knowledge of legal research tools (e.g. Practical Law, LexisNexis, or similar platforms)
• Track record of delivering legal support within fast-paced, innovation-driven environments

Skills and Competencies

• Legal Expertise: Deep understanding of financial services regulation and contractual frameworks across investment services, commercial agreements, and technology platforms
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Ability: Capacity to dissect complex legal issues and deliver pragmatic, risk-aware solutions
• Attention to Detail: Precision in drafting and reviewing documentation to uphold compliance and mitigate risk
• Strong Communication Skills: Clear, articulate, and diplomatic communication across diverse stakeholders, including executive teams, regulators, and cross-functional departments
• Organizational and Strategic Thinking: Ability to manage competing priorities across jurisdictions and guide legal input into business strategy
• Negotiation Proficiency: Proven ability to lead complex negotiations with counterparties, vendors, and external counsel
• Collaborative Mindset: Team-oriented, driven to achieve outcomes through partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
• Leadership and People Management: Experience mentoring legal professionals and contributing to a psychologically safe and high-performing team environment

Personal Specifications

• Sociable and Diplomatic: Able to foster trust, navigate sensitive matters with discretion, and maintain strong professional relationships
• Self-Motivated: Proactively engages with new challenges, prioritises outcomes, and remains resilient under pressure
• Adaptable Learner: Demonstrates curiosity and agility in mastering new regulatory domains and industry shifts
• Pleasant Personality: Brings warmth and emotional intelligence to cross-functional collaboration
• Committed to Growth: Enthusiastic about continuous learning, legal excellence, and developing others

Core Values

Here at Rostro Group, we have 7 Values that shape how we work with each other. All 7 are important to every colleague across all of our divisions. Especially important for this role are:

• Inclusion: You actively seek different perspectives and integrate them to make better decisions.
• Integrity: You openly acknowledge your errors, learn from them and use them as opportunities for growth.
• Ingenuity: You advocate for simplicity and new approaches that lead to practical and tangible innovations that deliver real business value.
• Collaboration: You communicate with cultural sensitivity to engage effectively with international colleagues.
• Courage: You voice your opinions with honesty and a positive attitude for the benefit of the company, even if it feels uncomfortable.
• Persistence: You are not easily discouraged, approaching challenges with persistence and a positive outlook. You are committed to continuous learning.
• Respect: You are confident in your knowledge, but you never assume to know it all.

Perks & Benefits

• Attractive Remuneration: A competitive salary package based on your qualifications, experience, and skills.
• Performance-Based Rewards: Annual discretionary bonuses and yearly salary review to recognize and reward your outstanding performance.
• Generous Time Off: Annual Leave days to rest and recharge.
• Pension Scheme: Company contributions to our provident fund, helping secure your future.
• Vibrant Work Environment: Be part of an energetic and diverse multicultural team.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Benefit from our hybrid work model, giving you the freedom to work from home.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for continuous personal development and career advancement.
• Team Bonding Events: Annual company events and parties to foster connection and engagement among employees.