Head of Legal

OnHires

. Own the company’s UK regulatory build and act as the most senior legal voice on UK matters .

Posted 10/14/2026full-timeRemote • United KingdomLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive UK financial services regulatory expertise, including FCA authorisation processes and cryptoasset legal frameworks. Proficient in drafting and negotiating English-law B2B agreements while effectively managing regulatory outcomes and stakeholder communications.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Qualified Solicitor Or Barrister In England & Wales8+ Years PQEHands-On UK Financial Services Regulatory ExperienceFCA Authorisation Or Variation Of Permission ExperienceCrypto Or Digital-Asset Legal Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

FCA AuthorisationPerimeter AnalysisDrafting B2B AgreementsRegulatory Strategy DevelopmentLegal Risk AssessmentConsumer Duty ComplianceUK Employment Law AdvisoryPost-Authorisation ReadinessGovernance ManagementFinancial Promotions Review

Soft Skills

Ability To Work Under PressureClear CommunicationStakeholder Management

Tools & Technologies

AI Tools For Legal DraftingLegal Research Tools

Industry Keywords

CryptoassetE-MoneyPayments PerimeterUK Travel RulePrudential RequirementsFinancial Services RegulationB2C ActivitiesB2B Activities

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the company’s UK regulatory build and act as the most senior legal voice on UK matters
Report directly to the CEO
Lead a first-wave FCA cryptoasset authorisation end to end
Own a UK e-money application and sequence it with the cryptoasset application
Conduct perimeter analysis of B2C and B2B activities
Develop application strategy, draft materials, contribute to the regulatory business plan, handle RFIs and manage dialogue through decision
Act as senior in-house legal counterpart to the FCA
Advise on the cryptoasset financial promotions regime, Consumer Duty, UK Travel Rule, safeguarding and prudential requirements
Lead post-authorisation readiness, including governance, senior manager and certification considerations, reporting and disclosures
Direct and quality-control UK external counsel and manage legal spend
Lead legal work for additional licence applications in other jurisdictions
Advise where UK and EU regulatory perimeters meet
Draft and negotiate English-law B2B agreements, including MSAs, API and white-label terms, referral and agent agreements, and banking, payment and card scheme agreements
Review consumer terms, financial promotions and UK-specific disclosures
Advise on UK employment law and contractor arrangements in partnership with HR
Work closely with the EU legal function and leadership team based outside the UK

Requirements

What you’ll need

Qualified solicitor or barrister in England & Wales
Typically 8+ years PQE
Hands-on UK financial services regulatory experience
At least one FCA authorisation or variation of permission personally owned or materially led, from perimeter analysis to decision
Direct personal interaction with the FCA, including correspondence, meetings and representation
Crypto or digital-asset legal experience at licensed or established firms
Cryptoasset, e-money or payments perimeter experience
Ability to draft and negotiate English-law B2B fintech agreements independently
Track record of owning regulatory outcomes
Ability to take clear positions under pressure and translate legal risk into business options
Comfort operating remotely as a senior legal professional without a legal support structure
Practical use of AI tools in legal drafting, research or review
Fluent legal English to regulator-facing standard
Existing right to work in the UK
Ability to attend regulator meetings in London as required
Team management experience is not required

Benefits

Comp & perks

Performance bonus linked to UK authorisation milestones
Remote setup in the UK
Employment or B2B contract option
Fast, transparent hiring process, typically completed within four weeks