Senior Legal Counsel
Description
We’re looking for a US-qualified Senior Legal Counsel to lead and help shape legal strategy for our US business from our Atlanta office.
- 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.
- US-qualified lawyer (NY, CA or ATL 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.
- 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
- Award-Winning Workplace: YouLend has been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in 2024, 2025and 2026” by the Sunday Times for being a supportive, diverse, and rewarding workplace.
- Award-Winning Fintech: YouLend has been recognized 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 organization where we are only just getting started.
- High-growth (>100% growth during 2022 and 2023), so clear outlook to compensation (bonus or share option appreciation) and career growth (through growth with the business).
- Well-capitalized 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.
- 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).
- Health Care Coverage. YouLend covers 80%; employee contribution is 20% of the premium.
- Medical Plan (medical insurance and prescription drug coverage)- Choice of 5 different plans through United Healthcare.
- Dental plan coverage
- Vision plan coverage
- Benefits can be for: Employee only; Employee & Spouse; Employee & Child; Employee & Family
- Retirement - 401K match. Employee match $1 for $1 up to 5% of salary.
- Basic Life & AD&D Insurance.
- International travel insurance covered if traveling abroad for work purposes.
- Paid Time Off (PTO)- 20 working days (4 weeks) + US public holidays
- Paid Office Parking
YouLend is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and has the opportunity to succeed.