FAQs
What is the primary purpose of the Senior Counsel position at Mastercard?
The primary purpose of the Senior Counsel position is to provide legal support and advice to the global Open Banking and Open API team, focusing on the European and international development of open banking products and solutions, while ensuring compliance with laws, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
What qualifications are required for the Senior Counsel role?
Candidates must be a qualified lawyer with a strong academic background, possess analytical skills for identifying legal issues, and have experience in commercial contracting and technology law. Experience in product development support and knowledge of data privacy and intellectual property issues are also valuable.
What type of experience is preferred for applicants to the Senior Counsel position?
Preferred experience includes supporting new product development (even if in a different industry), experience as an in-house lawyer in a multinational company, and an interest in financial services and payment technologies.
What are the main responsibilities of the Senior Counsel?
The main responsibilities include legal support for Mastercard’s Open Banking and Open API products, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, handling commercial and contractual matters, managing external counsel, developing relationships with internal teams, and providing training as needed.
Where is the Senior Counsel position located, and does it require travel?
The position is based in London, UK, and it requires some travel to support business operations in other time zones.
How does Mastercard define its corporate culture?
Mastercard emphasizes a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences, believing that diversity drives better decisions, innovation, and business results.
What skills are essential for the Senior Counsel role?
Essential skills include strong drafting and communication abilities, relationship-building and interpersonal skills, adaptability and problem-solving capabilities, business acumen, and the ability to work collaboratively or independently under pressure.
What is the significance of corporate security responsibility in this role?
Corporate security responsibility is critical, as every employee, including the Senior Counsel, must abide by Mastercard's security policies to protect the organization's assets and information, ensuring confidentiality and integrity, and reporting any suspected security breaches.
Can experience in a different industry be advantageous for this role?
Yes, experience in supporting new product development, even if in a different industry, is considered a strong asset for the Senior Counsel position.
What types of legal matters does the Senior Counsel handle?
The Senior Counsel handles a broad range of legal matters including partnerships and referral arrangements, product and marketing legal review, non-disclosure agreements, and complex contract negotiations with customers, partners, and suppliers.