Counsel

Company Description

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Job Description

This role is part of a supportive and diligent Local Commercial Legal Team, handling a wide range of commercial, technology, marketing, sourcing, product, data privacy, and intellectual property legal matters. The team is integrated into Visa Europe's larger Legal, Ethics & Compliance function, which includes Competition, Regulatory, Corporate, Data Privacy, Employment, and Compliance specialists. Our team is known for its high engagement scores and a creative, can-do approach.

Visa Legal Teams operate at the forefront of new payment technologies and fintech innovation in an increasingly regulated environment, presenting unique challenges in commercial and technology law.

Key Accountabilities:

• Support Visa’s France, Belgium & Luxembourg (FBL) Region, based in Paris, reporting to the Lead Regional Counsel.
• Provide extensive legal support for Visa’s regional business, including new product rollouts, value-added services, commercial money movement solutions, client agreements, licensing arrangements, marketing campaigns, sourcing agreements, and general commercial matters.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a variety of contracts and legal issues.
• Collaborate with legal teams supporting clients, business innovation, and digital product initiatives.
• Identify competition, data protection, and other regulatory issues, liaising with internal and external counsel as needed.
• Manage disputes, litigation, and lawful authority requests with relevant internal and external parties.
• Engage external legal advice when necessary.
• Work with cross-functional stakeholders globally to ensure contracts and advice align with business needs and policies.
• Manage day-to-day legal queries and business deals, leading relevant legal activities.
• Develop and maintain relationships for effective legal advice delivery.
• Provide training on law, processes, and policies.
• Collaborate with global legal colleagues to align Visa’s Europe region with global strategy on commercial matters.
• Contribute to the Legal, Ethics & Compliance Division’s planning, cohesion, and overall efficiency.

This is a hybrid position. Hybrid employees can alternate time between both remote and office. Employees in hybrid roles are expected to work from the office 2-3 set days a week (determined by leadership/site), with a general guidepost of being in the office 50% or more of the time based on business needs.

Qualifications

Essential Skills

Qualified lawyer in France with 6-7 years PQE and experience at a recognized law firm; in-house experience is recommended.

• Excellent expertise in Data Privacy, leading data privacy topics for the region.
• Strong expertise in Commercial/Civil Law, particularly in contract negotiation and drafting.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in French and English.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong prioritization and management skills for a varied workload.
• Positive attitude and high integrity.
• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn new areas of law.

Desirable Skills

• Expertise in Consumer Law and Regulations (Outsourcing and DORA) is a plus.
• Experience in a regulated business or payment, technology, or digital legal environment.
• Knowledge of the payments industry or financial services environment.
• Experience with cross-border and multi-jurisdictional contracts.
• Data Privacy/Commercial lawyer

Additional Information

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.