Senior Legal Counsel - US
Department: Legal
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: London
Reporting To: Alec Choi
Description
We’re hiring a US-qualified Senior Legal Counsel in our London HQ to lead YouLend’s rapidly scaling US business—offering a unique chance to work on a high-growth, startup-like trajectory, backed by the infrastructure and reach of a global fintech.
Why this role?
We’re looking for a US-qualified Senior Legal Counsel to lead and help shape legal strategy for our US business from our London HQ.
This is not a narrow legal role. You’ll work across the full range of issues that come with scaling a US fintech business, from major commercial partnerships and product structuring to capital markets, governance, operations and regulatory questions.
You’ll have meaningful ownership, senior stakeholder exposure and room to grow, while being supported by a global Legal team that understands the business and operates at the centre of YouLend’s strategy.
You’ll be the primary legal business partner for US matters, working closely with senior stakeholders across the US business and the wider group. You’ll also have the support of an established global Legal team, with strong infrastructure, senior oversight and external counsel support where needed.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the primary legal business partner for YouLend’s US business.
- Lead negotiations on major US partnerships with global e-commerce platforms, payment service providers and other strategic partners.
- Draft, negotiate and manage complex commercial and partnership agreements.
- Work directly with product, tech, commercial, finance and operations teams to deliver pragmatic legal advice.
- Advise on scalable US product, payments and SME financing structures.
- Advise on new product launches and the continued evolution of YouLend’s US financing offering.
- Work on strategic US matters, including capital markets, restructurings, non-performing assets, group structuring and corporate governance.
- Advise on US regulatory matters relevant to the business, including state-level regulatory considerations and bank partnership structures.
- Manage external US counsel and supervise Legal team members.
- Help build scalable legal processes, templates and playbooks for the US business as it grows.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- US-qualified lawyer (NY or CA preferred)
- At least 6 years of post-qualification experience (corporate, M&A, financing, fintech or regulatory) at a top law firm.
- Strong commercial instinct and genuine interest in fintech, embedded finance and SME financing.
- Experience with complex transactions, commercial negotiations and cross-functional work.
- Able to operate in a fast-moving environment, balancing legal rigour with commercial pragmatism.
- Clear, direct communicator with strong drafting, negotiation and legal judgment.
- Comfortable advising senior stakeholders and translating complex legal issues into practical guidance.
Nice to have
- Fintech, financial services, payments, technology or other relevant in-house experience.
- US financial regulatory experience, especially in SME financing, embedded finance, payments or bank partnership structures.
- Cross-border transactional experience.
Job Benefits
- Award-winning legal team: Won "In-House Banking & Financial Services Team of the Year" at The Lawyer Awards 2024. Shortlisted at the British Legal Awards 2024 hosted by Law.com International for In-House Legal Team of the Year and General Counsel of the Year.
- Award-Winning Workplace: YouLend has been recognised as one of the “Best Places to Work in 2024, 2025 and 2026” by the Sunday Times for being a supportive, diverse, and rewarding workplace.
- Award-Winning Fintech: YouLend has been recognised as a “Top 250 Fintech Worldwide” company by CNBC.
It’s just getting fun
- We have developed powerful solutions, won some significant partnerships, and are growing at a rapid pace.
- But the global opportunity is still massive, and YouLend is a raw organisation where we are only just getting started.
Lots of upsides
- High-growth (>100% growth during 2022 and 2023), so clear outlook to compensation (bonus or share option appreciation) and career growth (through growth with business).
- Well-capitalised with supportive private equity backing.
- Part of Banking Circle Group with a fully licensed Luxembourg bank, which can provide a balance sheet and support European expansion in otherwise complex regulated markets.
Motivating work environment
- A high-quality team that pushes each other to succeed through direct feedback and aligned incentives.
- Strong and transparent team culture, we have each other’s backs.
- Independent work environment where results matter.
- Data-driven culture and emphasis on speed (anti-red tape).
Comprehensive benefits package
- Stock Options
- Private Medical insurance via Vitality and Dental Insurance with BUPA
- EAP with Health Assured
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
- Modern and sophisticated office space in Central London
- Free Gym in office building in Holborn
- Subsidised Lunch via Feedr
- Deliveroo Allowance if working late in office
- Monthly in office Masseuse
- Team and Company Socials
- Football Power League and Yoga Club
At YouLend, we champion diversity and embrace equal opportunity employment practices. Our hiring, transfer, and promotion decisions are exclusively based on qualifications, merit, and business requirements, free from any discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, nationality, or any other protected basis under applicable law.
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