Senior Legal Counsel

About Us

UMO is an international modern money platform. Our mission is to create high-impact digital finance solutions and real opportunities for people and markets worldwide. While our core expertise lies in Fintech and AI, our capabilities reach far beyond.

We are a team of 150+ professionals operating across 4 offices in MENA and Europe.

Headquartered in the UAE with hubs in Ukraine, Portugal, and Lithuania, we unite technology, operations, and product development under one vision. We innovate through deep operational excellence and shared expertise, creating a robust foundation built for global growth.

What You'll Do

As a Senior Legal Counsel, you will lead and grow a team of 3 experienced legal specialists to deliver high-quality, secure, and compliant solutions in a regulated fintech environment. You will play a key role in shaping the legal function, driving delivery excellence, and ensuring that innovation is balanced with governance and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal counsel on all aspects of the neobank’s operations, focusing on the convergence of traditional finance, payments, and digital assets (crypto);
• Own and manage the legal and compliance roadmap for the expansion into new target markets, including the UAE and MENA region;
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial contracts, partnership agreements (processors, payment schemes, and exchanges), and vendor contracts;
• Ensure the platform, including products like cards, wallets, and trading features, complies with local and international financial regulations (e.g., AML, KYC, data privacy);
• Advise senior management on corporate governance, licensing requirements, and risk mitigation strategies in a multi-jurisdictional environment;
• Manage regulatory inquiries and external counsel engagement across key operational geographies;
• Create global contract lifecycle management (CLM) process, including template standardization, review workflows, and a definitive repository for all executed commercial and strategic documents;
• Develop, implement, and periodically audit all employment contracts, policies, and handbooks for all entities, ensuring strict compliance with the UAE Labour Law (including free-zone regulations like DIFC/ADGM) and the diverse labor directives of the European Union;
• Advise the Human Resources department on complex, high-risk employment matters, including disciplinary procedures, statutory termination requirements, end-of-service gratuity calculations (UAE), and collective consultation obligations (EU);
• Manage the legal aspects of global workforce arrangements, including independent contractor classification, remote work policies, and the drafting of enforceable non-compete and non-solicitation clauses in line with local legal precedents;
• Maintain and enforce the global corporate structure (e.g., subsidiary registrations, intercompany agreements) and guarantee all corporate filing deadlines are met across all jurisdictions;
• Oversee all data protection and privacy compliance efforts, including the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) standards for EU operations and equivalent data privacy mandates in the UAE/MENA region.

You’re a Perfect Fit If You Have

• 7+ years of experience as a Legal Counsel, with a strong focus on the financial services sector.
• Solid experience in a regulated FinTech, Banking, or Crypto company is mandatory.
• Proven track record of managing and mentoring junior legal staff or leading a small legal team (ideally 3+ people).
• Deep understanding of payments regulation (e.g., SEPA/SWIFT, card schemes), digital asset laws, and licensing procedures in key jurisdictions.
• Exceptional drafting and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in English (B2-C1), both written and verbal, is essential (knowing Ukrainian or Russian is an advantage)

Compensation & Benefits (Dubai, UAE)

• Highly Competitive Compensation.
• Visa Sponsorship: Full coverage of UAE employment visa and residency permit costs.
• Relocation Support: Dedicated support desk to assist with your move, including inbound flight coverage (if applicable).
• Time Off: 25 working days of Annual Leave + UAE Public Holidays.
• Health Coverage: Comprehensive Medical Insurance for yourself.
• Performance Incentives: Eligibility for performance-based bonuses and incentives.
• Statutory Benefits: End of Service Gratuity as per UAE Labour Law.

Shape the future: join a successful, next-generation prestigious neobank!