Counsel (Fixed Term)

About Us
Visa is a world leader in payments technology, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories, dedicated to uplifting everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

At Visa, you'll have the opportunity to create impact at scale — tackling meaningful challenges, growing your skills and seeing your contributions impact lives around the world.

Join Visa and do work that matters – to you, to your community, and to the world. Progress starts with you.

Job Description

This role is within Visa’s growing and dynamic Commercial & Money Movement Solutions (CMS) Legal Team. The CMS Legal Team works at the cutting edge of new payment technologies, innovation and the fintech industry in an increasingly regulated environment, which brings unique and novel challenges and opportunities every day.  This role is for a full-time contractor for a 13-month period, starting July 2026 to mid-Aug 2027.

 What we expect of you, day to day.

• Provide counsel and legal advice to Visa’s CMS team, including Visa Direct and Visa Commercial Solutions, across a variety of legal areas related to commercial, product, regulatory, privacy, and IP, to help the CMS team achieve key business objectives.
• Lead review of product related marketing materials, public relations and corporate communications.
• Manage regulatory support and evaluation of how shifts in regulatory landscapes may impact Visa and its partners.
• Draft, review, negotiate and advise on contracts, including pilot agreements, partner bank agreements, and developing forms.
• Work with other Visa departments across the globe to ensure contracts and advice accurately reflects business needs and policies.
• Apply strong collaboration and partnership skills to foster multiple strong relationships with various Visa business contacts across Visa products, services and function areas.
• Provide training to business teams on key legal issues, processes and policies.
• Identify the need for external legal advice and engage appropriate outside counsel on a range of legal issues across Visa’s European region and globally. 
• Proactively contribute to the Legal and Regulatory Department’s planning, cohesion, consistency in advice, and the general efficiency and effectiveness of the department as a whole.

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in the office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager. 

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Current member in good standing of a State Bar with the ability to become barred or a registered in-house counsel in the state where this role is located.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Qualified lawyer in England & Wales. We will consider candidates who have qualified in other jurisdictions.
• Previous experience of working within a regulated business.
• Previous experience experience as in-house counsel in a financial institution
• Knowledge of fintech and payments industry (and applicable regulation).
• Previous experience of cross-border and multi-jurisdictional contracts.
• Demonstrable experience at a recognized law firm and/or in-house environment.
• Strong academics and training, including legal drafting and negotiating, and relationship management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills along with a demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Problem solver with proven experience in identifying emerging industry issues/trends and developing responses to help achieve business objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to drive execution in a team environment, integrating legal advice and business knowledge while providing balanced advice regarding risks and benefits.
• Positive attitude, high level of integrity and intellectual curiosity.
• Demonstrates global mindset, and the ability to work well in a dynamic and deadline-oriented environment.
• Willingness to approach difficult or complex issues to identify resolutions.
• Fluent in English.

Visa is an EEO Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.