[Hiring] Senior Legal Counsel, Capital Markets @Upstart

Job Opportunity: Remote Senior Legal Counsel, Capital Markets

Date Posted: August 7, 2024

Salary: $161,700 - $223,800 USD

Location: USA, Remote

About Upstart

Upstart is a pioneering AI lending marketplace that collaborates with banks and credit unions to broaden access to affordable credit. Utilizing Upstart's AI marketplace, our partner banks and credit unions achieve higher approval rates and lower loss rates across various demographics, delivering an unparalleled digital-first lending experience. Remarkably, more than two-thirds of Upstart loans are approved instantly and fully automated.

We are a digital-first company, encouraging Upstarters to live and work from anywhere in the United States. Our office locations include San Mateo, California; Columbus, Ohio; and Austin, Texas. If you are driven by our mission to facilitate effortless credit access based on true risk, we'd love to hear from you.

The Team

Upstart’s legal team is integral to the company's innovation in the fintech sector, supporting various products and our mission to expand credit access based on actual risk. Our team of knowledgeable, hardworking, and kind individuals collaborates closely with the business to achieve its objectives.

We are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to lead complex and groundbreaking transactions and support our capital markets legal team on various day-to-day matters. The ideal candidate will bring a strong transactional and finance background, with experience in private credit, debt finance, structured finance, capital markets, or structured lending.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Lead legal negotiations on multi-billion dollar deals in the capital markets sector
• Collaborate with our capital markets and finance teams to structure novel deals with key investors to secure capital commitments
• Provide legal and strategic advice to assess and mitigate legal risks, working closely with accounting, data analytics, product, treasury, operations, and tax teams
• Draft, review, and negotiate agreements including various financing facilities with sophisticated parties
• Create processes and templates for commercial transactions to support business growth

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. degree with strong academic credentials and state bar membership (CA or NY preferred)
• 5+ years of experience, with at least 3 years at a top-tier law firm; expertise in debt finance, capital markets, private credit, or structured finance is preferred
• A proactive self-starter who thrives with minimal direction and enjoys challenges
• Excellent communication skills for providing quick, concise, and practical legal advice
• Willingness to develop expertise in new or unfamiliar areas of law
• A strong team player mentality

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience setting up joint ventures, co-investments, or funds; experience with large private equity or credit funds is a plus

Position Details

Location: Remote (USA)

Time Zone Requirements: East/West coast time zones

Travel Requirements: While most work can be accomplished remotely, we encourage spending quality time in-person with team members. In-person sessions vary per team and role, typically occurring once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days.

What You'll Love

• Competitive compensation (base salary plus bonus and equity)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart
• 401(k) with 100% company match up to $4,500 and immediate vesting, plus after-tax savings
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Life and disability insurance
• Generous holiday, vacation, sick, and safety leave policies
• Supportive parental, family care, and military leave programs
• Annual wellness, technology, and ergonomic reimbursement programs
• Social activities including team events, all-company updates, employee resource groups, and interest groups such as book clubs, fitness, investing, and volunteering
• Catered lunches and snacks & drinks in offices