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Senior Legal Counsel

UMO
Dubai, UAE
Full Time
Senior
2 weeks ago
Regulatory ComplianceLicensingContract NegotiationLegal DraftingFintech RegulationBanking as a Service
Free

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Regulatory ComplianceLicensingContract Negotiation
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About Us

  • UMO is a stealth mode FinTech venture aiming to evolve the way people experience money by building a unified, AI powered, modern money platform across fiat, crypto, and investments.
  • The platform is being designed to break down traditional barriers to money across access, assets, and experience.
  • We are currently developing our MVP and navigating licensing requirements, with a multidisciplinary team of 100+ people representing 20+ nationalities.

About the Role

  • The Senior Legal Counsel at UMO is a high impact expert and emerging leader driving global legal operations.
  • You will be the primary legal owner for expansion across the UAE, EU, and beyond.
  • You will take ownership of the legal function, independently driving complex matters from initial assessment to execution, while managing a small team of 1–2 specialists.

Key Responsibilities

  • Execute the end to end licensing process across multiple jurisdictions, including direct engagement with VARA, CBUAE, and other financial regulators.
  • Provide comprehensive legal support for UAE and EU operations, ensuring all products align with applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Proactively identify licensing, regulatory perimeter, and product structure issues, and provide clear recommendations.
  • Lead and mentor a small team (1–2 legal specialists), overseeing their daily output, quality of work, and professional growth.
  • Design and implement Legal Ops workflows to prepare the team for future expansion.
  • Act as a coach for the wider business, conducting training for Product and Sales teams on legal risks and compliance.
  • Architect legal frameworks for Banking as a Service (BaaS), card issuing or sponsorship models, payment rails, and complex banking partnerships.
  • Serve as the lead SME for the intersection of TradFi and Digital Assets, including wallets, trading, fiat ramps, liquidity, and settlement flows.
  • Work independently with Product, Compliance, Finance, and Operations teams to turn complex legal requirements into practical business decisions.
  • Lead negotiations for high stakes agreements with global liquidity providers, banking partners, payment partners, technology providers, and strategic counterparties.
  • Independently draft, review, and negotiate complex multi party agreements.
  • Manage global corporate structures, intercompany agreements, and support investment rounds.

Requirements

  • 7+ years as Legal Counsel, with a solid background in Regulated Fintech, Banking, Payments, or Crypto.
  • Strong ability to work independently, take initiative, and drive complex legal matters to completion with minimal supervision.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify legal and regulatory risks early, propose solutions, and move matters forward.
  • Prior experience managing at least one direct report or a strong track record of mentoring junior colleagues.
  • Deep understanding of financial services regulation, global payment rails and multi jurisdictional licensing.
  • Exceptional skills in drafting complex multi party agreements.
  • Professional fluency in English.
  • A proactive builder mindset ready to take ownership and transition from senior individual contributor to team leader.

The UMO Standard

  • Dynamic Work Environment: Vibrant offices and strong local teams across Lisbon, Dubai, Kyiv, and Lviv — with openness to remote for the right fit.
  • Rest & Recovery: 24 days of annual leave, dedicated paid sick leave, and observance of Public Holidays.
  • Recharge Week: After your first year, enjoy two consecutive 4 day work weeks annually.
  • Full Setup: Top of the line hardware and a home office stipend.
  • Growth Ecosystem: A dedicated learning budget and a clear, accelerated path toward executive level leadership.
  • Impact & Ownership: Your work directly shapes the product and company direction.

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