Counsel - Core Payments

About the role

Mastercard is looking for a qualified lawyer to join its EEMEA legal team as Counsel for Core Payments. The role provides end‑to‑end legal support for the Core Payments business across Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, covering product development, commercialization and ongoing management of payment, network, authentication and digital card offerings.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver strategic and day‑to‑day legal advice throughout the product lifecycle, from concept and design to market testing, launch and eventual discontinuation.
• Collaborate with product, sales, technology, regulatory, compliance, privacy, IP, finance and marketing teams to ensure responsible and timely delivery of core payment products.
• Advise on product constructs, customer journeys, commercial models, contracting structures and go‑to‑market plans.
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of product and technology agreements, including customer agreements, enrollment forms, product terms, partnership and vendor contracts, statements of work and related documents.
• Lead or coordinate regional legal assessments, legal scans and product approval processes, working with local counsel and specialist functions as needed.
• Identify, assess and communicate legal and business risks and propose practical, risk‑balanced solutions.

Required profile

• Qualified lawyer with experience in technology and payments sectors.
• Strong commercial judgment and proven product development and transactional experience.
• Ability to manage a diverse workload and provide pragmatic, proactive advice.
• Excellent collaboration skills to work with regional and global product, legal and control teams.

Required skills

• Contract drafting and negotiation.
• Legal risk assessment.
• Knowledge of payment‑industry regulations and standards.