Monese is a fintech company building a mobile alternative to traditional banking. Its app provides multi-currency accounts that can be opened quickly, helping customers manage everyday finances, travel spending, and international transfers in one place. Monese serves more than 2 million users across 31 countries and focuses on making financial services more accessible, including for people who may not fit conventional credit-scoring models.
VP of Legal - Monese, London Hybrid
Lead the group legal function for Pockit and Monese, advising senior leadership on fintech M&A, governance, and UK and EU regulatory compliance.
Description
- Build and lead the group legal function
- Set legal strategy, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions
- Advise the CEO and Board of Directors as part of the Executive Team
- Lead legal work for the post-merger integration following Pockit’s acquisition of Monese
- Provide guidance on complex group structures and intra-group arrangements
- Prepare and review shareholder resolutions while maintaining governance frameworks
- Oversee corporate filings and company secretarial responsibilities
- Lead legal due diligence for M&A, equity fundraising, and post-transaction integration
- Negotiate high-value SaaS, technology procurement, and strategic partnership agreements
- Protect and enforce the group’s intellectual property rights
- Create and maintain legal playbooks and standard-form agreements
- Serve as the main legal liaison with the FCA and other international regulators
- Maintain compliance with E-Money Regulations, Payment Services Regulations, outsourcing rules, and UK and EU GDPR
- Direct dispute strategy, including pre-action correspondence and settlement negotiations
- Appoint and manage external legal counsel
Requirements
- Qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales or in a European jurisdiction
- Typically 6–8 years of post-qualification experience (PQE)
- Training or experience at a top-tier private practice law firm is strongly preferred
- Significant financial services experience, particularly in fintech, e-money, or digital banking
- Strong knowledge of UK corporate law, FCA handbooks, and European financial regulations
- Demonstrated ability to partner with C-suite executives and lead cross-functional legal projects
- Advanced legal drafting skills for bespoke commercial and corporate instruments
- Capability to lead negotiations for multimillion-pound technology and payment infrastructure contracts
- Ability to assess emerging regulations and prepare the business for future legal risks
- European law knowledge is advantageous for the group’s cross-border operations
Benefits
- 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays, with one additional day for each year worked
- 10 paid sick days annually
- Hybrid working with the option to work abroad for up to 30 days each year
- Learning and development budget plus 10 paid learning days annually
- Bupa personal private healthcare
- Generous pension plan
- Annual eyecare allowance
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
- VIP Pockit and Monese accounts
- Additional paid leave for birthdays and weddings
- Regular social events and team activities
- Monthly recognition awards and Team of the Quarter
- Share options depending on role and level
- Employee referral bonus