Head of Legal / Sole Counsel

Head of Legal - Consumer Credit & Financial Services Merseyside (4 days per week office based) An established, highly successful UK financial services business is seeking an experienced in-house lawyer to lead legal support for a growing division serving thousands of SME customers. This is a broad, commercially focused leadership role offering significant autonomy, direct exposure to senior executives and the opportunity to shape legal strategy within a business undergoing an exciting period of growth and transformation. You will act as the principal lawyer for a sizeable business unit, partnering closely with operational, commercial and regulatory stakeholders. The role You'll provide pragmatic, hands-on legal advice across a diverse range of commercial and regulatory matters, including: * Advising on regulated and unregulated consumer credit products * Supporting FCA-regulated businesses operating within consumer finance markets * Drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements * Advising on financial promotions, Consumer Duty and customer communications * Supporting the launch and development of new products and services * Providing day-to-day legal support to senior management teams and boards * Leading data protection matters and acting as Data Protection Officer * Managing external counsel where required This is a genuinely varied role suited to someone who enjoys operating as a trusted adviser embedded within the business. About you We're keen to speak to lawyers who have: * 5+ years' PQE (guideline only) * Strong in-house legal experience * Cconsumer credit experience, including exposure to the Consumer Credit Act * Experience advising FCA-regulated businesses * Excellent commercial contracts drafting and negotiation skills * Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to advise senior executives * A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach Experience within payments, merchant services, lending, equipment finance, financial services or fintech environments would be particularly valuable.