In-house Legal Counsel

Location: London / Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office
Engagement: Full-time
Duration: 12-month
Start Date: Mid-July 2026
Client: Global financial services and payments organisation

The Opportunity

Accuflex is working with a leading global financial services and payments organisation to recruit a Legal Counsel for a 12-month contract.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded lawyer to join a highly regarded in-house legal team supporting the organisation’s global merchant services business across the EMEA region.

The role will focus on drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements with strategic merchant partners, banks, intermediaries and other key commercial counterparties. Many of these relationships are high-value and strategically important to the business, so the successful candidate will need to be confident, commercially pragmatic and comfortable advising senior stakeholders.

Payments or fintech experience would be a real advantage, but it is not essential. The client is primarily looking for a lawyer with strong commercial contracts experience, good drafting and negotiation skills, and the ability to work independently once they are up to speed.

The Role

You will support the business on a range of commercial contracts and strategic partnership arrangements, with a particular focus on merchant-facing agreements across domestic and international markets.

The role will involve working closely with commercial, sales, partnerships, compliance and legal colleagues, providing practical legal advice in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

Initial support and training will be provided, but the expectation is that after an initial ramp-up period, the successful candidate will be able to manage negotiations independently and take ownership of agreements with merchants and commercial partners.

Key Responsibilities

Drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements with merchant partners, banks, intermediaries and other strategic commercial counterparties.

Supporting the global merchant services business on commercial contracts across the EMEA region.

Leading negotiations on merchant and partnership agreements, with support from senior lawyers where needed.

Advising internal stakeholders on commercial risk, contract structure and practical solutions.

Working closely with compliance and regulatory teams on issues arising from commercial arrangements.

Supporting larger commercial projects within the merchant services space.

Helping the business navigate complex or unusual contracting issues and finding pragmatic solutions.

Building strong relationships with senior business stakeholders, particularly across sales, partnerships and commercial teams.

Contributing to internal process improvements and helping the legal team deliver efficient, business-focused support.

Candidate Profile

We are interested in speaking with qualified lawyers who have strong commercial contracts experience and are looking to build or deepen their experience within a major global financial services and payments business.

Qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales.

Ideally 1–5 years’ PQE.

Strong commercial contracts experience, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements.

Experience working independently on negotiations or clear readiness to do so after a period of support.

Good stakeholder management skills and confidence advising senior commercial colleagues.

A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach.

Strong communication skills and the ability to explain legal issues clearly to non-lawyers.

A willingness to get stuck in and work collaboratively with the wider legal and business teams.

Good judgement and the ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives.

Experience That Would Be Helpful

Experience in any of the following areas would be advantageous but is not essential:

Payments
Fintech
Financial services
Merchant acquiring
Banking
Regulated industries
Strategic partnerships
Large customer / supplier contracts
International commercial contracts
Technology or platform agreements

Why This Role?

This is a great opportunity for a commercial lawyer who wants to move into, or build further experience within, a major global payments and financial services environment.

The role offers:

High-quality commercial contracts work with strategic merchants and partners.

Exposure to a global financial services and payments platform.

A strong in-house legal team and supportive onboarding.

A good balance of autonomy and senior legal support.

International / EMEA-facing work.

Close interaction with senior commercial stakeholders.

Valuable experience in payments, merchant services and regulated financial services.

A 12-month contract offering continuity and high-quality in-house experience.

Why Join via Accuflex?

Accuflex gives lawyers access to premium in-house opportunities with leading organisations across financial services, technology, fintech, payments and regulated sectors.

You will receive support from a specialist legal recruitment team throughout the process, with clear guidance on the role, client expectations and interview preparation.

Apply Now

If you are a commercially minded lawyer with strong contracts experience and an interest in financial services, payments or strategic merchant partnerships, we would be keen to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV or contact Accuflex for a confidential discussion.