45,540 First Direct jobs in the United Kingdom

About the Job

Are you a qualified lawyer with a keen interest in payments law and regulatory change?

Do you have experience working on regulatory matters, especially in the financial services or payments sector?

Interested in joining a dynamic in-house legal team with a broad, hands-on remit in a global financial institution?

The Client

We are partnering with a leading global financial institution to find a Payments Regulatory Lawyer – Senior Legal Counsel within their Corporate & Strategic Projects Legal Team. This is an excellent opportunity for a lawyer with regulatory experience to get involved in a wide variety of legal work, particularly in payments and digital innovation. You’ll be advising teams across the UK and EU, working on projects that will shape the future of payments regulation.

The Role

This is a senior in-house legal role focused on payments law and regulatory change, providing legal counsel to retail, commercial, and corporate banking teams in the UK and across Europe. The role reports to the Managing Associate General Counsel – Payments and will involve:

• Providing support and guidance on regulatory changes and industry developments affecting payments and related financial services.
• Researching and analyzing relevant legal and regulatory requirements, as well as industry trends and best practices.
• Offering legal support for internal projects, business initiatives, and transformation programs, and participating in cross-functional working groups.
• Preparing materials and reports to support internal discussions, decision-making, and risk management.
• Proactively advising the business on significant legal and regulatory developments and their potential impact.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• Qualified lawyer with regulatory advisory experience, gained either within a financial institution or at a top-tier law firm.
• Regulatory experience, ideally in the payments sector, advising banks and/or fintechs.
• Strong interest in evolving payment innovations and emerging regulatory initiatives.
• A good understanding of payments architecture and the regulatory framework.
• Experience in commercial, project, and regulatory law.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work directly with the business.
• Excellent lateral thinking and problem-solving skills.

What’s on Offer?

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working model with at least 3 days in the office
• Exposure to a wide range of regulatory and legal issues in a fast-paced, global banking environment

For more information contact Luke Masih ( )

• Manage and supervise daily banking operations, including account processing, payment systems, and customer support.
• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Lead, train, and motivate a team of banking operations staff to achieve performance targets.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement strategies for improvement.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant financial regulations, compliance standards, and internal policies.
• Manage operational risks, identify potential issues, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with IT and other departments to implement and improve banking systems and technologies.
• Oversee the resolution of customer inquiries and operational issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Contribute to strategic planning and the development of new banking products and services.
• Drive process re-engineering initiatives to optimize operational workflows.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in banking operations, with at least 3 years in a management or supervisory role.
• Strong knowledge of banking products, services, and operational processes.
• Proven experience in risk management, compliance, and regulatory affairs within the financial services industry.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze operational data and implement performance improvements.
• Proficiency in banking software systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Experience with operational efficiency methodologies (e.g., Lean) is a plus.

• Leading and managing remote teams of banking operations specialists.
• Developing, implementing, and refining operational policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Overseeing daily banking operations, including transaction processing, settlements, and reconciliations.
• Ensuring adherence to all regulatory requirements and internal controls.
• Monitoring operational performance and identifying areas for improvement through data analysis and KPIs.
• Managing risk within operations and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Collaborating with other departments, including IT, compliance, and customer support, to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Driving digital transformation initiatives within banking operations.
• Providing training, coaching, and development opportunities for team members.
• Handling escalated customer issues and complex operational queries.

• Analyse banking transaction data to identify trends, anomalies, and potential operational risks.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and mitigate risks within banking operations.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with all relevant banking regulations, industry standards, and internal policies (e.g., AML, KYC, GDPR).
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations on operational performance, risk assessments, and proposed solutions for senior management.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including compliance, risk management, IT, and front-office operations, to address operational challenges and implement best practices.
• Conduct root cause analysis for operational failures and incidents, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Support internal and external audits by providing necessary documentation, data, and explanations.
• Assist in the development and testing of new banking products and systems from an operational perspective.
• Train and mentor junior analysts on banking operations, analytical techniques, and compliance procedures.
• Stay current with industry developments, regulatory changes, and technological advancements impacting the banking sector.
• Manage specific projects related to operational enhancement and risk mitigation.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence within the banking division.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in banking operations, financial analysis, or risk management within the financial services industry.
• Proven experience in analysing large datasets and identifying key insights.
• Strong understanding of banking products, services, and operational processes.
• In-depth knowledge of financial regulations and compliance requirements (e.g., FCA, PRA).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in using data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, potentially Python/R) and financial modelling.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CFA, FRM, ACAMS) are highly desirable.

• Oversee and execute daily banking operations, including transaction processing and settlements.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant banking regulations and internal policies.
• Manage and resolve complex operational issues and customer inquiries.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement enhancements.
• Conduct internal audits and risk assessments of operational procedures.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Train and mentor junior operations staff.
• Maintain accurate operational records and documentation.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new banking products and services.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in banking operations.
• In-depth knowledge of banking products, services, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in banking software and operational systems.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities.
• Experience working in a hybrid or flexible work environment.
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CIB) are advantageous.

• Oversee and manage daily banking operations, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of banking operations staff.
• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to ensure compliance and best practices.
• Optimize operational processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Manage operational risks and ensure the effectiveness of internal controls.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular reports to senior management.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant banking regulations and compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as IT, finance, and customer service, to streamline operations.
• Implement new technologies and systems to support operational goals.
• Manage vendor relationships related to operational services.
• Handle escalated customer inquiries and operational issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the operations department.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in banking operations, with at least 3 years in a management or supervisory role.
• In-depth knowledge of banking products, services, and operational processes.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations and compliance requirements (e.g., AML, KYC).
• Proven experience in process improvement and operational efficiency.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with banking software and relevant financial technology.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage and motivate a remote team effectively.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all retail banking operations, including branch services, customer support, and back-office functions.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to enhance efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, banking laws, and internal policies.
• Manage and mitigate operational risks, implementing robust control frameworks.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise processes and workflows.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of operational managers and staff.
• Oversee the effective management of budgets and financial resources for the operations department.
• Collaborate with product development, marketing, and technology teams to support business goals.
• Champion a culture of service excellence and customer satisfaction.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and report on operational performance to senior management.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives within the retail banking operations.

• Extensive experience (10+ years) in retail banking operations management, with a significant portion in a senior leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial services operations, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic operational plans.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent understanding of banking products, services, and customer needs.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong financial acumen and experience in budget management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• A degree in Business, Finance, or a related field; MBA or equivalent preferred.