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Portugal
Remote only
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Legal & Compliance Senior Lead based in Portugal.
This is a senior, high-ownership legal and compliance role supporting the launch and growth of a fintech business across Europe.
You will act as the primary legal owner for the Netherlands while supporting Belgium with the guidance of external local counsel.
The role covers the full legal journey from entity incorporation and governance through to operational readiness and ongoing compliance.
You will work closely with leadership and cross-functional teams across product, compliance, finance, and operations.
Your expertise will help shape financing agreements, partner arrangements, regulatory strategy, payments, data protection, and lending operations.
You will also have the opportunity to contribute to expansion into additional European markets as the business grows.
This remote position offers significant autonomy, international exposure, and the opportunity to work at the intersection of financial services, technology, and regulatory innovation.
Own the Dutch legal and regulatory workstreams for the European launch, while supporting Belgian matters with appropriate external local counsel.
Lead entity formation and corporate governance activities, including articles of association, notarial incorporation, KVK and UBO registration, and director and legal-representation requirements.
Draft, localize, review, and negotiate financing agreements, merchant terms, partner contracts, SEPA direct-debit mandates, and other commercial documentation under applicable Dutch and Belgian law.
Select, instruct, and manage external Dutch and Belgian legal counsel, translating legal advice into practical documents, processes, and ongoing compliance activities.
Advise internal stakeholders on licensing requirements, funding structures, payments regulation, collections enforceability, data protection, and automated decision-making.
Manage corporate banking onboarding and support the relevant SME-lending quality-mark requirements.
Serve as the senior legal point of contact for the European business and collaborate closely with product, compliance, finance, and operations teams.
Support future expansion into additional EU markets as the business develops.
Where relevant, contribute to operational Wwft/AML responsibilities, including customer due diligence, third-party reliance arrangements, prevention policies, risk matrices, and engagement with supervisory authorities.
At least approximately 7 years of post-qualification experience, with significant in-house or top-tier law-firm experience in fintech, financial services, lending, or a closely related sector.
Admission to practice in the Netherlands as an advocaat, with strong knowledge of Dutch legal and regulatory requirements.
Full professional fluency in English and Dutch, with the ability to work effectively with international leadership, regulators, counterparties, and local stakeholders.
Ability and willingness to advise on Belgian legal matters while working with external Belgian counsel.
Strong experience with lending, financial services regulation, and GDPR/data protection.
Deep understanding of relevant regulatory frameworks and a genuine interest in fintech, financial inclusion, embedded finance, and cross-border expansion.
Excellent drafting, negotiation, and legal analysis skills, combined with strong commercial judgment.
Comfortable working autonomously, managing multiple concurrent matters, and coordinating external counsel across two jurisdictions.
A proactive, pragmatic, and high-ownership approach suited to a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
Dual qualification or substantial Belgian legal experience is a plus.
Working-level Spanish or Portuguese and/or French would be advantageous.
Experience with Wwft/AML and payments regulation is also beneficial.
Fully remote working environment.
Opportunity to join a high-impact, mission-driven fintech operating at the intersection of technology and financial services.
Significant ownership and autonomy in a senior legal leadership role.
Exposure to complex regulatory, corporate, lending, payments, and data-protection matters across multiple European jurisdictions.
Close collaboration with international teams across Europe and Latin America.
Opportunity to contribute to the launch of new markets and the continued development of an expanding European business.
Cross-functional work with experienced teams across legal, compliance, product, finance, and operations.
Eligible team members may have access to a performance-based Phantom Share Program designed to align participation with long-term value creation.