Square Legal Lead, Europe

Job Description

Block is seeking an experienced attorney to lead the Square Legal team for Europe. This role involves providing legal guidance on licensing, product development, and data protection initiatives, managing legal risk, and ensuring regulatory compliance for our non-U.S. entities, with a focus on Europe. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly engaged candidate with a passion for empowering merchants to join a creative and growing company. We are looking for a collaborative, creative legal mind who is interested in contributing to company-wide programs to support compliance with licensing and regulatory requirements in Europe. This is a full-time remote role in Ireland and will report to the Square General Counsel.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Europe-based team of attorneys focused on financial services compliance for Ireland, UK, and the EU.
• Advise on requirements with the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (UK), and requirements in other EU jurisdictions (France, Spain).
• Provide guidance to product and engineering teams, and cross-functional partners, on issues related to new and existing products and features throughout the entire product development lifecycle.
• Provide ideas and insights into how we can work within the law to create amazing product experiences for our customers and reduce legal risks.
• Provide sound compliance advice on laws and regulations relevant to consumer protection, advertising, IP, data protection, and the software and financial services industries.
• Manage the attorneys responsible for drafting and negotiating commercial and intellectual property agreements in Europe affecting our products and services.
• Draft terms of use, product policies, and disclosures, and implement related processes.
• Collaborate with other counsel to provide globally aligned legal advice.
• Identify risk areas and develop systems, policies, and procedures to manage and mitigate them.
• Represent Block with regulators and external partners, in collaboration with other teams, as needed.

Qualifications

• 10+ years (minimum) financial services regulatory experience working in an in-house organization or commercial law firm; experience in financial services, commercial and consumer lending, fintech and/or technology desirable.
• Experience managing a world-class team of attorneys.
• Qualified solicitor in Ireland.
• Experience advising on requirements with the Central Bank of Ireland, the Financial Conduct Authority (UK), and other financial services regulators in Europe.
• Fluency in translating financial services regulatory requirements and legal advice into relevant guidance for business and product teams.
• Ability to advocate for a position while maintaining a collaborative approach.
• Background in providing legal advice on regulatory matters, partnering with regulators on licensing and enforcement matters, and assisting with market diligence in European jurisdictions.

Additional Information

Block is committed to building a more inclusive economy where our customers have equal access to opportunity, and we strive to live by these same values in building our workplace. Block is a proud equal opportunity employer. We work hard to evaluate all employees and job applicants consistently, based solely on the core competencies required of the role at hand, and without regard to any legally protected class.

We believe in being fair and are committed to an inclusive interview experience, including providing reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process. We encourage applicants to share any needed accommodations with their recruiter, who will treat these requests as confidentially as possible.

Perks

• Healthcare coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Wellness perks
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Learning and Development resources