Senior Lead, Legal & Compliance

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Netherlands.

📋 Description

• Take charge of the Dutch and, with the assistance of external local advisors, Belgian legal and regulatory workstreams for R2's launch, from entity incorporation to achieving full operational status.

• Oversee the establishment of entities and governance, which includes drafting articles of association, notarial incorporation, registering with KVK and UBO-register, as well as fulfilling director and legal-representation requirements.

• Localize, draft, and negotiate financing contracts, merchant terms, partner agreements, and SEPA direct-debit mandates in accordance with Dutch and Belgian law.

• Instruct and coordinate with external Dutch and Belgian legal counsel, transforming their opinions into finalized documents and ensuring ongoing compliance operations.

• Provide guidance on licensing boundaries, funding structures, payment frameworks, enforceability of collections, data protection, and automated decision-making processes.

• Manage corporate banking onboarding and the SME-lending quality mark (keurmerk / Finankeur).

• Collaborate with product, compliance, finance, and operations teams.

• Act as the senior legal contact for the European business.

• Assist in R2's growth into additional EU markets.

• Optionally oversee the operational Wwft / AML function, encompassing CDD design, third-party reliance arrangements, prevention manuals, risk matrices, and engagement with supervisors.

⛳️ Requirements

• Approximately 7 years of PQE, including substantial in-house or top-tier law firm experience in fintech or financial services.

• Admitted to practice in the Netherlands (advocaat).

• Full professional fluency in English is required.

• Proficiency in Dutch is necessary for local practice, regulators, and counterparties.

• Willingness and capability to provide advice on Belgian law with the support of external counsel.

• Experience in lending and GDPR compliance.

• Strong understanding of the relevant regulatory environment and a genuine interest in fintech, financial inclusion, and cross-border expansion.

• Exceptional drafting skills with precision.

• Comfort in operating independently with a high-ownership mindset.

• Ability to manage multiple open matters and external counsel across two jurisdictions at the same time.

• Dual qualification or significant Belgian experience is advantageous.

• Working proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese, and French, is a plus.

• Experience in Wwft / AML and payments is an added advantage.

🏝️ Benefits

• Eligible team members have the chance to participate in R2’s Phantom Share Program, a performance-based incentive.

• Opportunity to be part of a high-impact, mission-driven fintech.

• Ownership and influence in a dynamic, growth-focused startup.

• Collaborative work with exceptional cross-functional teams.

• Exposure to intricate regulatory challenges and innovations in embedded finance.

• Remote collaboration with teams across Latin America and the group headquarters.