Lead Legal Counsel, Lending Partnerships

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of our Lending Partnerships (LP) business and work collaboratively with internal clients to comprehend and support their objectives;

• Serve as a vital member of our LP commercial team, offering legal and strategic guidance to evaluate and reduce legal risks while promoting business expansion;

• Review, draft, and negotiate a diverse array of commercial agreements, such as purchase agreements, loan sale agreements, servicing agreements, master services agreements, software licenses, SOWs, and other related contracts;

• Interact with various internal stakeholders to promptly escalate and resolve issues during negotiations efficiently;

• Establish processes and templates for commercial transactions to facilitate and propel our rapidly growing business.

⛳️ Requirements

• J.D. degree with strong academic qualifications and membership in a state bar (preferably NY or CA)

• Over 7 years of experience in a law firm within a transactional practice area (preferably technology transactions, capital markets, or similar), or a mix of in-house and law firm experience focused on transactional/commercial matters

• Proven capability to act as the legal point during intense and complex negotiations and collaborate effectively with sales leadership to manage expectations and objectives

• Experience in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating intricate B2B SaaS agreements, ideally in a regulated setting or while licensing into such environments

• A proactive problem-solver rather than merely an issue-spotter, possessing a “can-do” attitude, a propensity for swift action, and a commitment to driving matters from inception to completion

• A high standard for your own work output and a desire to collaborate with colleagues who maintain a similarly high level of excellence.

• 10+ years of experience, ideally with prior in-house roles on high-impact legal teams within a fintech, financial services, or technology firm; experience in start-ups or high-growth companies is an advantage

• Proven experience in leading and finalizing complex commercial negotiations (e.g., high-value purchase agreements or strategic partnership deals)

• Genuine interest in understanding how Upstart’s business operates and a willingness to engage cross-functionally to assist teams in problem-solving, even when the work falls outside conventional legal scopes

• A long-term desire to mentor and collaborate with other legal team members while helping to develop efficient, scalable processes as we continue to grow and evolve

• Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to distill complex legal and risk concepts into clear, actionable advice for non-lawyers

• A readiness to engage with new products, AI, data issues, and unfamiliar legal areas with a solutions-oriented and low-ego approach

• An entrepreneurial spirit that views ambiguity as an opportunity and challenges as chances to create new solutions

• A strong sense of ownership, enthusiasm for technology, a passion for being continually challenged, and the ability to exercise sound judgment in uncertain situations.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive compensation package, including base salary, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly

• Retirement benefits to assist you in planning for the future, including a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offering discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)

• Comprehensive health coverage designed to support you and your family, encompassing medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for the US, as well as supplemental health coverage for Canada.

• Contributions to Health Savings Accounts from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)

• Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage for enhanced financial security

• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, compliant with local regulations

• Paid family and parental leave to assist with caregiving and significant life events (duration varies by country)

• Family-focused benefits to support fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing mental health support and life-centered resources

• Financial wellness resources, including access to financial planning tools and a financial concierge service (US only)

• Annual wellness allowance to support your physical and emotional well-being and personal development, aligned with your individual priorities

• Annual productivity allowance to invest in essential tools and resources you need to perform at your best, regardless of your work location

• Opportunities for connection and community through team events, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)

• Onsite perks, such as catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!)