Senior Legal Counsel

Conferma; Manchester; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A global payment technology company based in the UK is seeking a strategically minded Senior Legal Counsel to support their growth and acquisition strategy. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fintech and payments, with at least 8 years of PQE. This role combines high-level legal advisory and hands-on operational support in a fast-paced environment. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Benefits

Salary sacrifice pension

Life Assurance cover

Enhanced Company sick pay

Private medical scheme

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Additional paid time off for life events

Birthday leave

Enhanced paid parental leave

Employee Assistance program (EAP)

Cycle 2Work and Gym Membership

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years PQE, preferably in fintech, payments, or SaaS.
• Proven ability in supporting international expansion.
• Excellent judgement and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal support for market entry and acquisitions.
• Ensure compliance with UK and international regulations.
• Advise on corporate governance and structuring.

Skills

UK regulatory frameworks

Cross-border legal issues

M&A transactions

Commercially astute judgement

Drafting skills

Negotiation skills

Collaborative skills

Education

UK Qualified Solicitor or equivalent

Job description

Conferma is a global payment technology company who combine innovation and expertise to push the boundaries of what can be achieved in the world of virtual payments. We were created in 2005 and were more recently acquired by Sabre, with additional investment from Mastercard. Over the past decade, the Conferma ecosystem has grown, enabling us to become the world's largest payments platform for virtual cards.

We've engineered connectivity to over 90 of the world's best commercial card partners, over 400 travel management companies and over 150 travel technology partners. Every day, our team members work together to make it easier for travellers to connect with people and places. Our teams include passionate people dedicated to providing an environment that encourages partnership, a place where you feel like you belong, and where you are empowered to succeed. We look forward to having you join our journey - and seeing how far we can go, together!

The position :

We are seeking a strategically minded Senior Legal Counsel with a strong background in FinTech, Payments and SaaS. This role will be instrumental in supporting our global expansion and acquisition strategy, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance across the UK, US and international jurisdictions. The successful candidate will bring deep sector expertise, commercial acumen, and the ability to navigate complex cross-border legal landscapes in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. This role combines high-level legal advisory with hands‑on operational support, essential to maintaining an agile and effective legal function.

The responsibilities include :

• Strategic Legal Support - Providing guidance on international market entry, acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight - Ensuring compliance with UK, US, and local financial regulations including FCPA, SOX, AML and data protection laws. Advising on licensing, consumer protections, and cross‑border payments regulations.
• Corporate Governance & Structuring - Advising on corporate structuring in new markets and enhancing governance frameworks to meet regulatory expectations.
• Contractual & Commercial Advisory - Draft and negotiate commercial agreements ensuring contracts reflect jurisdiction‑specific legal requirements and compliance obligations.
• Tax & Transactional Support - Collaborate with the finance team to assess legal implications of international tax structures, transfer pricing, and profit repatriation.
• Intellectual Property & Ethical Governance - Managing IP protection strategies across jurisdictions and promoting ethical business practice.
• Operational & Administrative Support - Maintaining legal documentation using Gatekeeping and supporting internal reporting.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Liaising with external counsel to support local compliance and acquisition integration as well as partnering with internal teams to embed legal risk management.

What you'll have :

• UK-Qualified Solicitor or the equivalent, minimum 8+ years PQE, ideally in fintech, payments, or SaaS environments.
• Strong understanding of UK regulatory frameworks, with experience advising on cross‑border legal issues.
• Proven track record in supporting international expansion, M&A transactions, and technology‑driven commercial models.
• Commercially astute with excellent judgement and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage complexity.
• Collaborative and adaptable, with the ability to work across cultures and jurisdictions.
• High integrity and commitment to ethical stands and corporate responsibility.

Compensation :

Salary & Bonus :

Dependent on experience and skills

Benefits at Conferma :

At Conferma we understand that our people are what make us great. We have set out to provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes everything you would expect, as well as providing flexibility for you and your family.

• A salary sacrifice pension to maximise your contributions
• Life Assurance cover to provide peace of mind
• Enhanced Company sick pay to put your mind at rest
• Single cover private medical scheme, with the flexibility to add family members at your own cost
• 25 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays, allowing you to focus on what's important to you outside of work
• The ability to purchase up to 10 additional days holiday each year to enable additional time off
• Additional paid time off for life events, such as moving house or getting married
• An additional days leave on or around your birthday
• Enhanced paid parental leave on the birth or adoption of your child
• A confidential Employee Assistance program (EAP) available to all 24 / 7
• Access a range of fantastic additional rewards, such as Cycle 2Work, Gym Membership, Tech Scheme and discounted shopping and Cinema tickets, via Conferma Rewards

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to ensuring equal opportunity for all. We intend that no job applicant or employee shall receive less favourable treatment, nor be disadvantaged by any conditions or requirements which are irrelevant.