EMEA Regulatory Counsel

About Stripe

Stripe serves as a financial infrastructure platform catering to businesses worldwide, from major corporations to startups. It empowers millions to accept payments, boost revenue, and unlock new opportunities. Their mission revolves around expanding the internet's economic contribution globally.

Team and Location

Since launching operations in the UAE in 2021 as their initial Middle East presence, Stripe supports UAE businesses with financial infrastructure to facilitate payment acceptance and revenue growth on a global scale. The EMEA Regulatory Legal team offers strategic legal counsel on financial regulatory matters throughout EMEA. This role represents the first UAE-based hire, spearheading regional efforts.

Role Overview

This full-time, onsite position in Dubai entails advising on complex financial regulatory issues related to payments and fintech. The role involves influencing product development, liaising with regulatory authorities, and shaping policy strategies. Reporting to the Head of EMEA Regulatory Legal in Dublin, this counsel will be a trusted partner across several internal teams including business, legal, compliance, and policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on regulatory matters focused on the UAE market.
• Guide Product Legal and Compliance on compliance needs to facilitate lawful product creation and expansion.
• Assist in developing compliance policies, procedures, and programs aligned with regulatory requirements.
• Act as a proactive and trusted advisor for cross-functional teams operating in EMEA.
• Monitor evolving financial regulations to anticipate trends, risks, and new opportunities.
• Offer strategic counsel regarding advocacy related to proposed legislation and regulations.
• Collaborate extensively with business and legal colleagues to address regulatory challenges efficiently.
• Identify and evaluate legal and business risks, developing innovative mitigation strategies to meet company objectives.
• Formulate regulatory engagement plans with internal stakeholders.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance internal legal resources, including documentation, processes, playbooks, and training.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have significant experience and capabilities, although Stripe encourages all qualified applicants to apply.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 6 years as a qualified lawyer practicing in the UAE, specializing in payments and fintech regulation.
• Exceptional skills in spotting legal issues, assessing risks, and resolving complex problems.
• Strong strategic thinking to enable practical legal-business decision-making.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High integrity and dependable judgment.
• Ability to convey complex legal advice clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences including senior leadership.
• Capacity to multitask and perform independently under pressure.
• Sound decision-making in ambiguous and complex situations.
• Excellent interpersonal and consensus-building skills.
• Collaborative attitude, adaptable to a fast-growing dynamic environment.
• Experience engaging directly with financial regulators in the UAE and broader region.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise advising on financial regulations related to money transfers, cryptocurrencies, and innovative payment products.
• Experience with payment, fintech, and banking sectors including licensing and regulatory matters.
• Knowledge of crypto legal issues and regulatory landscape.
• Fluency in Arabic and English for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating legal documents and regulatory communications.
• Familiarity with both UAE onshore and offshore regulatory frameworks.
• Advisory experience regarding market entry and licensing within the MENA region.
• Proven capability to engage and influence policymakers in the UAE on financial regulatory development.
• Previous in-house legal experience at a high-growth technology firm or a leading global financial institution.

Workplace Expectations

Employees are generally expected to spend at minimum 50% of their working time each month at their designated office location to foster collaboration and learning, although requirements may vary by team and role.

Compensation and Application Considerations

Stripe values salary transparency and is working to provide pay range information globally, though such ranges are not yet consistently disclosed in every country for this role.

Additional Information

Stripe welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds, believing that non-traditional career paths and diverse perspectives contribute to success. Candidates demonstrating passion, resilience, and integrity are highly encouraged to apply.