Job Description

The opportunity

We are seeking someone bright and personable to join a small legal team and support the business in the review, negotiation and management of English law contracts with our customers, partners and suppliers. Reporting into the Head of Legal, this individual may also be called upon to support other projects as and when necessary.


If you have experience of managing commercial contracts either in-house or in private practice, for example as a paralegal, but have not qualified as a solicitor or legal executive, this role would be a Contracts Manager role.


If you have qualified as a solicitor or legal executive either in-house or in private practice, this role would be a Legal Counsel role. Indicatively, we would expect you to be NQ-2 PQE.


We are committed to the development of our team members. While the initial focus will be on commercial contracts, we anticipate that this role has the potential to evolve. Any expansion of your responsibilities and areas of practice will be a collaborative discussion with the Head of Legal as you gain experience and demonstrate your capabilities.

What you'll be doing

Leading on the review and negotiation of a range of commercial contracts including the standard terms for our escrow, paying agent, and payment account services; agreements with partners (predominantly law firms and other legal service providers); and agreements with suppliers. Working with the Customer Operations, Procurement and Revenue teams on amendments, extensions and renewals of contracts with existing customers and suppliers. Supporting the Head of Legal with other matters as and when necessary, including due diligence on debt and equity fundraising, management of our trade mark portfolio, and horizon scanning. Collaborating with external legal counsel as required.

What we're looking for in you

You should have sufficient experience of reviewing, negotiating and managing contracts with minimal supervision (you will be provided with training on our standard terms alongside our contract playbook, and will always have access to support from our Head of Legal when needed). As a strong communicator and collaborator, you will become a go-to person for the Customer Operations, Revenue, Finance and Procurement teams on contractual matters. You will appreciate the wider commercial impact to the business of the terms that are agreed with customers, partners and suppliers, negotiating within the parameters of our contract playbook and risk appetite. You will take ownership of the contracting process, looking for ways to both optimise our standard terms to reduce transactional friction and our contracting processes. Experience of using technology to support contracting processes is desirable but not essential. You will enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and be able to demonstrate critical judgment, risk awareness, attention to detail and commercial acumen. You will be adaptable, inquisitive and keen to understand all areas of our business. Experience in financial services generally, or payments specifically, is very desirable. Knowledge of corporate transactions and the function of escrow and paying agents in that context would be a bonus.

Our Promise:

Shieldpay is an equal opportunities employer. For Shieldpay building a fair and transparent workforce begins with the recruitment process that does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. We offer flexible working options, such as flexible hours and hybrid work, to support our employees' work-life balance