Description:

Position Summary:
The Senior Payments Counsel provides support for payments commercial transactions and advises the business on legal and regulatory matters. Responsibilities will include drafting and negotiating contracts, with emphasis on payments processing and technology products and services; developing contract templates; reviewing and providing legal advice on the design and roll-out of new products and the development of new distribution channels; building a trusted advisor relationship with the business teams; regulatory and card compliance, and identifying preventative measures to avoid legal risks, conflicts and issues relevant to the businesses supported.

Areas of Responsibility:

Provide legal guidance on a wide range of issues related to payment processing, including regulatory compliance (e.g., PCI DSS, AML), contracts, and risk management.
Advise on legal aspects of new product development and implementation, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Advise executive management with respect to industry legal issues related to payments.
Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of global agreements relating to payments processing services, sponsor banks, merchant agreements, gateway services, vendor contracts, and partnership agreements.
Develop and maintain standard contract templates and provide focused legal guidance.
Work with outside counsel to monitor and interpret evolving laws and regulations affecting the payments industry.
As required, support the obtainment and management of relevant payments licenses and registrations.
Identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks associated with payment processing activities.
Partner with internal teams including product, compliance, IT, and marketing to support business initiatives.
Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of A Leading Global Provider of Digital Commerce Solutions products, procedures, processes and policies.
Coordinate with outside counsel.

Basic Requirements & Experience:

J.D. from an accredited law school.
Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
10+ years of relevant legal experience, including significant time at a leading law firm and/or in-house legal department.
Extensive knowledge of financial services and payments compliance requirements and regulations, including roles of issuing banks, acquirers, and payment networks.
Strong understanding of payments industry, including payment processing services, card brand rules, and merchant acquiring.
Familiarity with data security and privacy within the payments industry.
Strong experience in drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
Proficiency in analyzing and responding to regulatory and compliance matters.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound, pragmatic judgment in ambiguous situations.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex issues and projects, and communicate with diverse teams, levels of management, and stakeholders.
Experience managing outside counsel.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
In-house experience at a financial services or technology company is a plus.