Senior Compliance Officer / Senior In-House Legal Counsel at emerchantpay (Sofia, Bulgaria)

Legal professionals eyeing the fintech space now have a compelling target: Senior Compliance Officer / Senior In-House Legal Counsel at emerchantpay, a leading global payment service provider. Based in Sofia, Bulgaria, this full-time hybrid role blends legal strategy with regulatory compliance, offering a unique career springboard for lawyers and compliance experts. In an era where payment regulations are tightening across the UK and EU, the company needs a senior professional who can navigate card scheme rules, FCA expectations, and high-stakes negotiations. This guide examines the role, the ideal candidate profile, and how to craft a winning application.

Why This Dual Compliance-Legal Role Matters

The payments industry is not merely about processing transactions; it is a highly regulated ecosystem. Global players like emerchantpay operate across multiple jurisdictions, meaning compliance failures can halt product launches or invite massive fines. This role therefore carries substantial responsibility. It is not a back-office check-box job; it is a strategic partnership with the business, where the successful candidate will help shape market entry and product design while ensuring robust regulatory adherence.

The dual title itself signals that the company is looking for versatility. You'll handle both the meticulous work of monitoring regulatory changes and the high-level task of negotiating agreements with commercial partners. For anyone aspiring to become a General Counsel or Chief Compliance Officer in a fintech, this position offers a rare training ground. You are not just a lawyer who knows the law; you are a business advisor who understands how compliance creates commercial advantage.

Understanding the Key Responsibilities

The official job description is detailed, and each responsibility carries strategic weight. Here is a breakdown of what you will actually do:

• Regulatory monitoring and advisory: You will track changes in e-commerce, payments, and card-scheme rules. More importantly, you'll translate those changes into actionable opinions and recommendations for the business.
• Contract negotiation and drafting: You will prepare and negotiate agreements, internal acts, and other key documents. This is where your legal training meets commercial reality.
• Compliance guidance: You will be the go-to person for compliance questions about products and services. This requires a thorough understanding of how payment technology works.
• Risk mitigation: You will proactively identify the resources needed to meet regulatory obligations, preventing problems before they arise.
• Remediation leadership: If a breach happens, you will implement remedial measures. This crisis-management experience is invaluable.
• Jurisdictional impact assessment: Since emerchantpay operates globally, you will research which jurisdictions have authority and how their rules affect the business.
• Training and internal procedures: You'll conduct training sessions and help department managers build internal procedures, elevating your influence across the organisation.
• Regulatory liaison: Acting as the main contact for supervisory authorities and government bodies is a role of high trust and visibility.

“The Senior Compliance Officer / Senior In-House Legal Counsel at emerchantpay is not a back-office role. It is a senior strategic function that influences product strategy, market entry, and regulatory relationships.”

What the Company Is Looking For

emerchantpay has set a clear benchmark in its candidate requirements. Understanding this blueprint is the first step to a successful application:

• Educational foundation: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Law, Finance, Economics, or a related field. A legal background is strongly preferred, but finance and economics professionals with deep compliance experience can also thrive.
• Five years in e-commerce compliance: You must have worked as a Regulatory Compliance Officer, In-House Legal Counsel, or in a similar role within the e-commerce sector. This is not an entry-level position; it requires proven experience.
• Knowledge of UK/EU laws and card schemes: The role explicitly demands expertise in UK and EU legislation, FCA requirements, and card-scheme rules (Visa, Mastercard, SEPA, American Express, UnionPay, Discover).
• English proficiency at C1 or higher: You will draft complex legal documents and communicate with regulators, so advanced English is essential.
• Soft skills: Excellent organisational skills, integrity, loyalty, and strong analytical abilities are all listed. These qualities matter in a role that involves sensitive information and high-stakes decisions.

If you are an Indian legal professional with experience in banking or commercial law, you may need to highlight any exposure to payment regulations. The company wants someone who can hit the ground running.

How to Craft an Application That Stands Out

Because the role is advertised on LinkedIn, your application must be polished and tailored. Follow these strategies:

• Showcase your card-scheme expertise: Use concrete examples, such as “Led PCI DSS compliance for Visa and Mastercard,” or “Advised on SEPA direct debit scheme enrolment.”
• Demonstrate dual competency: Your CV should clearly distinguish your legal advisory work from compliance monitoring. Show that you can handle both without dropping the ball.
• Mention any regulatory interaction: If you have experience dealing with financial regulators, include it prominently. This is a rare and valued skill.
• Include training and process improvement: The role involves training staff and setting procedures. Mention any workshops, SOPs, or internal guidelines you have developed.
• Prepare a UK/EU-style CV in English: Keep it concise, chronological, and free of personal details like age or marital status.

Consider tailoring your LinkedIn profile to match the job title. Recruiters often review candidates' online presence. Use keywords like “payments compliance,” “FCA,” and “fintech legal counsel” if they apply to your background.

Life at emerchantpay and What You Can Expect

The company offers a modern and supportive work environment, with benefits designed for long-term growth:

• 25 days of paid holiday, plus an extra day for every two years of service.
• A hybrid work model: 3 days in the office (Gora Business Building, Sofia) and 2 days from home.
• Professional development support, including books, courses, and certifications.
• Team-building activities and a casual, open atmosphere.
• Diversity and inclusion are explicitly valued, and the company is an equal opportunity employer.

Sofia itself is a rising European tech hub, offering a lower cost of living than London or Berlin while providing excellent infrastructure and connectivity. For international candidates, this role could open doors to the EU job market and a vibrant fintech community.

Strategic Steps to Land This Role

If you are determined to secure this position, follow a structured plan:

1. Audit your experience: Map your career against the responsibilities. Identify specific achievements that prove you can monitor regulations, negotiate contracts, and lead compliance training.
2. Refresh your regulatory knowledge: Review the latest FCA payment services rules and card scheme guides. Even if the interview is non-technical, you need to speak fluently about the landscape.
3. Network with purpose: Connect with emerchantpay employees on LinkedIn. The listing says referrals can increase your interview chances by 2x, so a warm introduction is a powerful tool.
4. Apply correctly: Use the specified application process, upload a clean PDF CV, and make sure your LinkedIn profile is active and professional.

Competition for senior fintech legal roles is steep, but a focused, well-prepared candidate who demonstrates both legal depth and compliance pragmatism will stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this role open to candidates outside Bulgaria?

The job is based in Sofia with a hybrid schedule. The posting does not mention relocation support, but international applicants are not excluded. If you have EU work rights, you should apply. A strong English CV and a clear reason for relocating will improve your chances.

2. Do I need to be a qualified lawyer to apply?

A law degree is not strictly required, as the company accepts degrees in Finance, Economics, or related fields. However, the role includes contract drafting and negotiation, so strong legal acumen is essential. Non-lawyers with substantial compliance experience may still be considered.

3. What is the most important skill for this role?

Considering the job description, knowledge of card-scheme requirements and FCA regulations stands out. Without this expertise, you will struggle to advise on compliance issues. That said, the ability to combine legal analysis with business strategy is what makes a candidate truly exceptional.

4. How should I mention card-scheme experience if I don't have direct experience?

If you lack direct card-scheme experience, focus on adjacent regulatory work. Highlight any experience with banking regulations, anti-money laundering rules, or consumer protection in financial services. Express a genuine willingness to quickly upskill and provide examples of how you've adapted to new regulatory frameworks in the past.