Senior Legal Counsel

**About Us** UMO is a stealth\-mode FinTech venture aiming to evolve the way people experience money by building a unified, AI\-powered, yet deeply human modern money platform across fiat, crypto, and investments \- subject to regulatory approvals. The platform is being designed to break down traditional barriers to money across access, assets, and experience, enabling simpler, more adaptive ways for people to interact with financial services. We are currently developing our MVP and navigating licensing requirements, with a multidisciplinary team of 100\+ people representing 20\+ nationalities. With our headquarters in the UAE and offices in Portugal and Ukraine, we are united behind a shared ambition and a relentless focus **About the Role** The **Senior Legal Counsel** at UMO is a high\-impact expert and emerging leader driving our global legal operations. In this role, you will be the primary legal architect for our expansion across the UAE, EU, and beyond. You will take ownership of the legal function, **managing a small team of 1\-2 specialists** with the expectation of scaling the department as the company grows. You are a **"Business\-First"** legal professional who balances hands\-on execution with strategic oversight. From navigating VARA licensing to **mentoring junior counsel** , you will ensure that UMO’s legal engine is both technically sound and scalable. **Key Responsibilities** **1\. Licensing \& Regulatory Execution** * **Regulatory Lead:** Execute the end\-to\-end licensing process across multiple jurisdictions, including direct engagement with **VARA** and other financial regulators. * **Global Compliance:** Provide comprehensive legal support for UAE and EU operations, ensuring all products align with international standards. **2\. Team Leadership \& Development** * **People Management:** Lead and mentor a small team ( **1\-2 legal specialists** ), overseeing their daily output and professional growth. * **Function Scaling:** Design and implement "Legal Ops" workflows to prepare the team for future expansion and ensure efficient knowledge sharing. * **Internal Education:** Act as a coach for the wider business, conducting training for Product and Sales teams on legal risks and compliance. **3\. Product \& Crypto\-Fiat Operations** * **Fintech Integration:** Architect legal frameworks for **Banking\-as\-a\-Service (BaaS)** , card schemes, and complex banking partnerships. * **Convergence Specialist:** Serve as the lead SME for the intersection of TradFi and Digital Assets (wallets, trading, and fiat ramps). **4\. High\-Stakes Negotiations \& Corporate** * **Contract Mastery:** Lead negotiations for high\-stakes agreements with global liquidity providers and strategic partners. * **Corporate Governance:** Manage global corporate structures, intercompany agreements, and support investment rounds. **Requirements** * **Experience:** 7\+ years as Legal Counsel, with a solid background in **Regulated Fintech, Banking, or Crypto** . * **Leadership Potential:** Prior experience managing at least one direct report or a strong track record of mentoring junior colleagues. * **Domain Mastery:** Deep understanding of **VARA regulations** , global payment rails (SEPA/SWIFT), and multi\-jurisdictional licensing. * **Drafting Excellence:** Exceptional skills in drafting complex multi\-party agreements. * **Language:** Professional fluency in **English** ; proficiency in Ukrainian or Russian is a significant advantage for internal collaboration. * **Mindset:** A proactive "builder" who is ready to transition from a sole contributor to a team leader as the company scales. **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.