Head of Legal / General Counsel (Remote, UK)

About the role

We are seeking our first senior lawyer to lead the legal and compliance function at Tune Exchange, an early‑stage UK fintech. Reporting directly to the Founder and CEO, you will shape the regulatory framework for a brand‑new FCA‑regulated category and have the freedom to build the function from the ground up.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the FCA Part 4A authorisation project, coordinating with the Founder and external counsel.
• Develop and maintain the regulatory and compliance framework, including the Regulatory Business Plan, ICARA, wind‑down plan and operational policies (AML, CASS, conflicts, market conduct, outsourcing, risk).
• Draft, negotiate and manage commercial contracts, supplier agreements and scalable template documents.
• Provide corporate, fundraising, governance, employment, data protection and intellectual property support.
• Manage relationships with external specialists, orchestrating niche advice and implementation.

Required profile

• Qualified solicitor of England and Wales (or equivalent) with a practising certificate.
• 8–15 years post‑qualification experience, preferably as a senior regulatory or financial‑services lawyer.
• Direct experience with FCA‑regulated firms and familiarity with the FCA Handbook.
• Proven ability to prepare FCA authorisation applications and conduct regulatory perimeter analysis.
• Comfort with ambiguity, strong commercial judgement and willingness to be the sole legal hire in an early‑stage business.

Required skills

• Expertise in FCA regulatory matters and authorisation processes.
• Commercial drafting and negotiation across a full SME legal function.
• Ability to coordinate external counsel and manage specialist advice.

What we offer

• Competitive salary (£100k‑£150k per year) plus share options.
• Four‑day or five‑day work week, fully remote within the UK.
• Opportunity to define the legal shape of a novel regulated product.
• Direct influence on strategic decisions alongside the Founder.