Head of Legal Nickel Germany (m/f/d)

NiCKEL is one of Europe’s great success stories in the fintech industry and has become a well recognized actor for financial inclusion. Thanks to a unique distribution model, everyone can open a current account in only 5 minutes in a local store around the corner.

What drives us at NiCKEL?
Offering a simple and useful payment alternative to pay and get paid.

Launched in 2014, NiCKEL has already opened more than 4,5 million accounts and has more than 9000 participating stores, transformed into small agents in Europe. We employ more than 850 employees across 5 countries.

Tasks

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Legal (m/f/d) to lead our legal strategy with expertise and vision. In this pivotal role, you will oversee all legal matters, ensuring compliance, managing risk, and providing strategic counsel to support Nickel Germany’s growth. The ideal candidate is a seasoned legal professional with a proven track record in various legal domains, strong leadership skills, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes. Join our dynamic team and help shape the future of our organization with your legal acumen and strategic insight.

The position is based in Berlin.

The in-house counsel for the German Branch (Head of Legal) will be directly reporting to the Global Head of Legal of Nickel.

The Head of Legal of Nickel Germany shall notably be responsible for:

• Managing and monitoring legal risks related to Nickel Germany
• Providing legal assistance and daily support to the local operational teams and the management
• Ensuring that procedures, processes and set-ups are in place to maximise efficient legal support and dissemination of legal expertise and information within Nickel Germany
• Ensure the conformity and execution of BNPP internal LEGAL procedures and controls, and managing and mitigating legal risks by designing and implementing local policies and procedures, aligned with the BNP Paribas Group Legal global policies

Daily missions include:

• Providing accurate, relevant and timely advice to Nickel Germany and other members of staff on a variety of legal topics and areas that relate to the payment services sector such as responsibility of the payment institution pursuant to the PSD2, personal data, distribution network, IP/IT laws, marketing materials, procurement, civil law, third party risk management for regulated entities and to the extent necessary in relation to the branch, corporate laws
• Ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations that apply to Nickel Germany business
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating various commercial contracts (cooperation agreements, distribution agreements), non-disclosure agreements subject to German laws - issuance and update of templates and best practice sharing
• Providing legal advice related to the launch of new products, services and/or new activities in transversal internal committees
• Management of disputes, pre-litigation matters, requests from local regulators
• Communicating with and managing any third-party bodies such as external counsels, public notaries or auditors
• Designing and delivering legal training to the business and operational teams
• Staying up-to-date with changes to legislation, particularly in relation to laws, rules and regulations that directly affect Nickel Germany business and implementing an adequate local regulatory watch

Internal interlocutors :

• Legal team in Paris and Heads of Legal in Spain, Portugal and Belgium
• German and French operational teams (IT, Business- Sepa systems, Products)
• General Management of Nickel Group and Nickel Germany
• BNP Paribas Group Legal community (including in Germany), practices and platforms
• DPO & DPC (Nickel Group), Deputy-DPO Berlin BNP Paribas Group
• Other control functions (RISK, Compliance, General Inspection)

External interlocutors :

• Local regulators (BaFin, Bundesbank, …)
• External stakeholders (Partners - Distributors - Services providers)
• External Counsels
• Public Officers (notary etc..)

Requirements

The ideal candidate should have the following profile:

• Extensive knowledge in banking/payment services law, contract law, consumer law, regulatory and procurement, digital services, data and cybersecurity
• Rigor and excellent drafting quality
• Autonomy/self-starter and quick-learning (minimum of 5-7 years legal experience in regulated services sector - banking, financial services, insurance) although consideration will be given to quality of experience rather than pure duration
• Must work well in a team and be able to win the confidence of colleagues and others
• Curiosity, diplomacy and tenacity
• Ability for analysis and synthesis
• Ability to manage own workload and multi-task effectively and have a pragmatic approach
• Ability to independently evaluate complex legal concepts/issues and to provide concise commercially focused actionable solutions in simple language to the business
• Professional ethics
• Fluent in German and in English, a good level in French is a plus

Benefits

Why you should join Nickel:

• The opportunity to join a responsible, inclusive and diverse company in the Fintech sector
• To be part of a dynamic, enthusiastic and motivated team in a varied and international working environment
• An attractive remuneration package with additional benefits (Meal allowance, Company pension plan, 40€ vermögenswirksame Leistungen, Insurances, eGym-Wellpass sports App, Corporate Benefits discounts, etc)
• Covered by BNP Paribas professional insurance policy
• An attractive office location in the heart of Berlin
• Permanent employment contract
• 30 days of vacation
• Hybrid work model (up to 12 days per month home office)
• Development and learning opportunities

You want to join a European Fintech and a dynamic team, apply online!

Nickel is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. Nickel does not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, colour, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age or any other basis protected by applicable laws or prohibited by company policy. Nickel also strives for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibits harassment of any kind.