Counsel - Core Payments

Our Purpose Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. Title and Summary Counsel - Core Payments Our Purpose Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we are helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payment choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Mastercard is seeking an experienced lawyer to join the EEMEA legal team and provide comprehensive, end-to-end legal support to the Core Payments business across Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EEMEA). The role will support the development, regional assessment, commercialization and ongoing management of core payment, network, authentication, digital payment and card product offerings. The successful candidate will be a technology- and payments-minded lawyer who combines strong commercial judgment with product development and transactional experience. The candidate will be expected to manage a diverse workload, provide pragmatic and proactive advice, and work effectively with regional and global product teams and specialist legal and control functions.

Provide strategic and day-to-day legal support throughout the product lifecycle, from concept and product design through regional assessment, market testing, launch, commercialization, enhancement and discontinuation. Partner with product, sales, technology, franchise, regulatory, compliance, privacy, intellectual property, public policy, finance, marketing and other stakeholders to enable responsible and timely delivery of core products across EEMEA. Advise on product constructs, customer journeys, commercial models, contracting structures, go-to-market plans and allocation of legal and operational responsibilities. Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of product and technology arrangements, including customer agreements, enrollment forms, product terms, addenda, partnership agreements, vendor agreements, statements of work and related documentation. Draft, lead or coordinate regional legal assessments, legal scans and product approval processes, including collaboration with local counsel and relevant specialist teams where required. Identify, assess and communicate legal and business risks, and develop practical, risk-balanced solutions that support commercial objectives while protecting Mastercard. Provide clear, concise and actionable advice to business stakeholders and senior legal and business leadership.

Support Core Payments business and related initiatives across EEMEA, including core products, network products, digital payment experiences, authentication, tokenization, card products, card holder solutions, processing solutions and associated customer-facing documentation. Advise on laws and regulations relevant to payments and technology products, and coordinate input on regulatory, competition, anti-money laundering, sanctions, data protection, cybersecurity, consumer protection, intellectual property and other specialist matters. Collaborate with global product counsel and regional legal teams to clarify ownership, ensure consistent legal positions and adapt global frameworks and templates for regional use. Support customer engagements and negotiations, including complex