Regulatory Counsel, EMEA at Airwallex

Airwallex, the global payments and financial platform valued at US$11 billion, is hiring a Regulatory Counsel, EMEA to be based in Vilnius, Lithuania. This is not just another legal counsel role—it's a strategic position at the intersection of fintech innovation and complex European financial regulation. If you're a mid-senior level lawyer with 6-8 years of post-qualification experience and a deep understanding of payments services regulation, this could be the role that defines your career. Let's break down everything you need to know about this opportunity and how to position yourself as the ideal candidate.

Understanding the Regulatory Counsel, EMEA Role at Airwallex

The person hired will provide regulatory legal support across the EMEA region, with particular emphasis on the EU/EEA regulatory framework. This means advising on complex regulatory issues relating to payment services in Europe, including licensing, passporting, conduct and prudential requirements, and supporting cross-border product launches. The role sits within Airwallex's Regulatory Legal team, a high-impact group that partners closely with Product Legal, Regulatory Compliance, Financial Crime Compliance, and other teams to deliver innovative financial products compliantly at scale.

Some key responsibilities include:

• Handling regulatory legal issues for EMEA markets, focusing on EU/EEA.
• Monitoring regulatory trends like PSD2/PSD3, EMI regimes, and AML/CTF rules.
• Advising on market entry strategies, licensing applications, and passporting.
• Managing external counsel and budgets across the region.
• Engaging with regulators, including the Bank of Lithuania, on supervisory matters.
• Leveraging AI and tech tools to make the legal function more efficient.

“You will support the build-out and maintenance of our licensing and registration portfolio in EMEA by advising on regulatory requirements, legal risk and licensing implications.” — Airwallex job description

This is a role for someone who enjoys wearing multiple hats and solving complex issues. If you're someone who thrives on ambiguity and wants to see the direct impact of your advice on business decisions, this environment is designed for you.

Why This Role Matters in the Evolving Fintech Legal Landscape

The European payments sector is undergoing a paradigm shift. The proposed PSD3 and Payment Services Regulation (PSR) are set to replace the existing Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2), bringing stricter requirements on data sharing, strong customer authentication, and customer protection. E-money institutions, payment institutions, and fintechs like Airwallex are all navigating these changes while expanding across borders. For legal professionals, this creates unprecedented demand for those who can interpret not just the letter of the law but also its strategic implications.

Airwallex itself is a pioneer in the space. With over 250,000 businesses using its platform—from high-growth startups to global enterprises like Qantas and SHEIN—the company is at the forefront of modernising cross-border payments. By joining Airwallex's regulatory team, you won't just be keeping up with change; you'll be shaping how a major player complies and innovates simultaneously. This is particularly significant for lawyers who want to move beyond traditional law firm work and into a role where their advice directly shapes product launches and market entry decisions.

The location—Vilnius, Lithuania—is also a strategic advantage. Lithuania has become a hub for fintech licensing in the EU, with the Bank of Lithuania known for its progressive yet rigorous approach. Being based where the supervision happens gives you hands-on experience with one of Europe's most influential financial regulators.

Who Should Apply: Qualifications That Set You Apart

Airwallex is looking for a qualified lawyer with around 6-8 years of post-qualification experience (P3 level). The ideal profile includes:

• Strong regulatory experience in fintech, law firms, or financial institutions, specifically in EU/EEA payments, e-money, FX, remittances, or card issuing.
• A mix of private practice and in-house experience is ideal but not mandatory.
• Demonstrated success advising on regulatory submissions, filings, and strategy, ideally with direct engagement with regulators such as central banks or supervisory authorities.
• Deep knowledge of the European financial services regulatory environment.
• Experience supporting expansion into new markets and launching licences.
• Stakeholder management skills to build trust across business, legal, compliance, and external counsel.
• Fluent English with strong drafting and negotiation skills. Additional European languages, especially Lithuanian, are a plus.
• Familiarity with RegTech, LegalTech, or AI tools—though this is ideal, not required.

What sets Airwallex apart is their emphasis on builder attributes. They hire people with founder-like energy who get things done end-to-end. If you're someone who uses AI to work smarter and isn't afraid to challenge the status quo, you'll resonate with their culture.

How to Prepare a Winning Application

Given the competitiveness of the role—60 applicants in just one day—you need a targeted approach to stand out. Here are actionable strategies:

1. Tailor your CV to the regulatory focus. Highlight any experience with PSD2, AMLD, EBA guidelines, or national implementations across EU jurisdictions. Use specific examples of licensing applications, passporting notifications, or regulatory change projects you've led.

2. Show your business acumen. This role is not ivory-tower legal work. You need to demonstrate how you've made legal advice commercially viable. Mention instances where you balanced compliance with speed, or where you helped a product launch pass regulatory scrutiny.

3. Leverage your network. Referrals increase your chances by 2x at Airwallex. If you know someone in the company, ask for a warm introduction. If not, connect with current or former Airwallex legal team members on LinkedIn and engage thoughtfully with their posts.

4. Prepare for regulatory scenario questions. Expect to be asked how you'd handle a new product launch in multiple EU countries, or how you'd advise on passporting from Lithuania to other EEA states. Review the Bank of Lithuania's fintech guidelines and recent EBA opinions.

5. Highlight your AI aptitude. Airwallex explicitly asks about leveraging AI to enhance legal work. If you've used tools like Kira, Relativity, or even ChatGPT in your practice, discuss how you've streamlined contract review or regulatory mapping.

6. Emphasise language skills. While English is required, knowing Lithuanian or another European language (French, German, Spanish) will give you an edge in managing local counsel and regulatory relationships.

Career Benefits and Growth Potential

This role is a springboard to senior regulatory leadership in the fintech space. You'll be working with a global team, influencing decisions at the highest levels, and gaining exposure to multiple jurisdictions. The compensation range is €53,508 to €85,000, reflecting the mid-senior level. But the intangible benefits are equally compelling:

• Direct access to senior stakeholders and regulators.
• Opportunity to shape Airwallex's EMEA strategy during a period of intense regulatory change.
• Collaboration with product, compliance, and engineering teams—giving you a holistic view of fintech operations.
• A culture that values ownership and rapid learning.
• Potential to move into broader legal leadership roles as the company grows.

Being based in Vilnius also offers a high quality of life: a vibrant tech scene, excellent infrastructure, and a welcoming environment for expats. For those looking to relocate within Europe, Lithuania is a hidden gem.

“We value curiosity, ownership, and the ambition to drive outcomes in a complex, ever-evolving regulatory landscape.”

The role's emphasis on regulatory engagement means you'll be in the room when important decisions are made—whether it's negotiating licensing terms with the Bank of Lithuania or advising on PSD3 readiness. This is the kind of experience that law firms and rival fintechs will value immensely in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: I have a private practice background but no in-house experience. Should I still apply?
Yes. Airwallex notes that a mix is ideal but not mandatory. What matters most is your deep knowledge of EU/EEA payments regulations and your ability to provide pragmatic advice. Use your private practice examples to show how you've managed complex licensing or compliance issues for fintech clients.

Q2: Does Airwallex sponsor work visas for this role?
The job posting does not specify visa sponsorship. Since the location is Vilnius, Lithuania, you would need to check with the Airwallex recruitment team about sponsorship. Generally, Lithuanian employers do sponsor visas in the fintech sector, but it's best to clarify directly with HR.

Q3: What is the application process like?
Airwallex works through careers.airwallex.com and their official LinkedIn page. After applying, expect initial screening interviews with HR, followed by interviews with the legal team and possibly cross-functional partners. Be prepared for case studies or scenario-based questions focusing on regulatory strategy and business acumen.

Q4: Are there any fees or costs to apply?
Absolutely not. Airwallex explicitly warns that they will never ask for bank details, passport information, or any form of payment during the recruitment process. Beware of scams claiming to offer priority placement for a fee.