Senior Compliance Officer / Senior In-House Legal Counsel

The Crossroads of Law and Fintech

In the fast-paced world of digital payments, the role of a Senior Compliance Officer / Senior In-House Legal Counsel is not just a job—it's a strategic partnership with the business. emerchantpay, a leading global payment service provider and acquirer, has opened this opportunity in Sofia, Bulgaria, offering legal professionals a chance to shape the compliance landscape of a multinational fintech. This dual-role position demands a rare combination of legal acumen, regulatory foresight, and operational discipline.

"We empower businesses to design seamless and engaging payment experiences for their consumers." — emerchantpay

For legal professionals looking to move beyond traditional law firms or corporate legal departments, this role represents a unique intersection: you are not just advising on law; you are building the very frameworks that enable global e-commerce. The fact that this role sits at the heart of a global payments company means that the decisions you make will have direct impact on cross-border transactions, consumer trust, and the company's ability to scale. It is no wonder that such positions are often considered springboards to Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel roles in the fintech space.

The Payments Compliance Frontier

E-commerce is regulated by a complex web of international, regional, and local rules. The payments industry sits squarely on this fault line, dealing with card scheme regulations (Visa, Mastercard, SEPA, American Express, UnionPay, and Discover), EU directives, and UK FCA requirements. A Senior Compliance Officer at emerchantpay must not only monitor these regulations but also proactively assess their impact on the company's products and services. This is not a role for the passive legal mind. It requires identifying new jurisdictions that may assert regulatory authority, preparing and negotiating agreements, and implementing remedial measures when non-compliance is detected. The position effectively makes you the gatekeeper of the company's legal and regulatory integrity.

The payments sector is also undergoing rapid transformation, with open banking, digital wallets, and cryptocurrency entering the mainstream. This means the regulatory environment is dynamic, and a compliance professional in this field must be comfortable with ambiguity and change. The role at emerchantpay offers an unparallellned opportunity to work with cutting-edge payment technologies while ensuring compliance remains a backbone of the operation.

Inside the Dual Mandate: Compliance Officer and Legal Counsel

The job description lists a broad range of responsibilities, from monitoring regulatory changes to leading compliance monitoring processes. But what does this actually mean day-to-day? Let's break it down:

• Regulatory Watch: You'll be expected to keep a pulse on developments in e-commerce, payments, and card-scheme regulations across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK and EU.
• Strategic Advisory: Issuing opinions, preparing agreements, and negotiating contracts are core functions, meaning your legal drafting skills will be put to constant use.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: You'll work with department managers to establish internal procedures, making you a trusted advisor to business teams.
• Training and Communication: Conducting periodic training for employees ensures that compliance is not just a legal team concept but an organizational habit.
• Regulator Liaison: Acting as the main point of contact for supervisory authorities means you'll represent the company in audits, inquiries, and reporting obligations.

This dual mandate is a powerful escalation of the traditional in-house counsel role. It is not merely about preventing bad outcomes; it is about enabling good business. By embedding yourself in product development and operational workflows, you help the company navigate risk while pursuing growth.

Do You Fit the Bill? Eligibility Requirements Decoded

The formal requirements are clear:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Law, Finance, Economics, or another relevant field.
• Minimum five years of professional experience in e-commerce, specifically as a Regulatory Compliance Officer, In-House Legal Counsel, or similar.
• In-depth knowledge of UK and EU legislation, FCA requirements, card-scheme requirements, and payment schemes (Visa, Mastercard, SEPA, Amex, UnionPay, Discover).
• English proficiency at C1 level or higher.
• Excellent organizational skills, integrity, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.

On the surface, these are straightforward. However, the 'nice-to-have' profile that would truly stand out includes prior exposure to payment services directives (PSD2), GDPR implications, and experience with cross-border payment flows. Familiarity with the operational side of acquiring banks or payment facilitators would also be a significant plus. If you have worked with a payment service provider, an acquired bank, or even a fintech startup, you already understand the urgency and risk-tolerance levels that define this industry.

Why Sofia? The Bulgarian Fintech Hub

Sofia has emerged as a surprising powerhouse in the global fintech scene. The city offers an exceptional blend of skilled technical talent, competitive cost structures, and a strategic time zone between London and the Middle East. For emerchantpay, which processes payments across the globe, having its compliance hub in Sofia provides access to a multilingual workforce that understands both European and international markets. The presence of other major fintech players like Paysafe, Nexo, and myPOS in Sofia reinforces the city's status as a fintech cluster.

For the successful candidate, this means an opportunity to work in a truly fast-growing company with a 'modern, challenging, constantly growing business' environment. The hybrid model—3 days in the office, 2 days from home—reflects a contemporary approach to work-life balance, a stark contrast to the traditional 9-to-5 law firm grind. Bulgaria's capital also offers an affordable cost of living compared to London or Frankfurt, which makes the package even more attractive.

What's in It for You: Compensation and Culture

While the salary range is not publicly listed, emerchantpay's benefit package speaks volumes:

• 25 days paid holiday, with one additional day for every two years of service.
• Hybrid working model.
• Professional development through books, trainings, and certifications.
• Team-building activities and a casual atmosphere.
• Opportunity to work with a leading global payment service provider.

This is not just a job; it's a career accelerator. In the compliance field, having 'Senior Compliance Officer at emerchantpay' on your CV signals to future employers that you have handled the complexity of international payments regulation, interacted with regulators, and built compliance frameworks from the ground up. For Indian legal professionals, this role also offers the chance to gain international experience in a dynamic European market, which can be invaluable if you later aspire to work in a global law firm or multinational corporation.

How to Stand Out as a Candidate

Compliance roles are notoriously competitive, especially in the fintech sector. To rise above the pile, consider these strategies:

• Tailor your CV to highlight payment-specific compliance work. If you have experience with card schemes, mention it explicitly. Use the same terminology as the job description.
• Showcase your regulatory knowledge. In your cover letter, briefly discuss a recent change in EU or UK payment regulations and its practical impact on businesses.
• Demonstrate soft skills. This role requires leadership, communication, and integrity. Provide examples where you trained staff, led a compliance project, or advised senior management.
• Be prepared for a competency-based interview. Expect questions about 'a time you handled a regulatory breach' or 'how you would improve a compliance process'. Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
• Research emerchantpay's products and markets. Understand their global acquiring, fraud management, and payment optimization features. Show that you're ready to add value from day one.

Leverage your network. LinkedIn data suggests that referrals increase your chances of interviewing at emerchantpay by 2x.

If you're currently in a traditional legal role, this career move might seem daunting. But the compliance needs of fintech companies are only growing, and legal professionals who can speak both the language of law and the language of business will be in high demand. This role offers an exceptional platform to develop that fluency.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the deadline to apply for this position?

Not specified in the job posting. Early applications are recommended, as the opening is recent and the company is actively reviewing CVs. Check the original LinkedIn job post for any updates.

2. Is this a remote position?

No, it is hybrid. The successful candidate will be required to work from emerchantpay's office at the Gora Business Building in Sofia, Bulgaria, three days per week, with the remaining two days working from home.

3. I have a law degree but no experience in e-commerce. Should I still apply?

The minimum requirement is five years of experience in e-commerce as a compliance officer, in-house counsel, or similar. Without that, your application may not be considered. However, if you have adjacent experience in payments, fintech, or regulatory affairs, it's worth highlighting and applying—you never know what might catch the recruiter's eye.

4. What does the application process involve?

The job posting requests that candidates apply with their CV in English. Short-listed candidates will be contacted. Given the senior nature of the role, expect at least two rounds of interviews, likely including a case study or scenario-based discussion. It's also advisable to have professional references ready, as compliance roles often involve thorough background checks.