Job details

Senior Legal Counsel, Capital Markets

Get a free resume review

About Upstart

Upstart is the leading AI lending marketplace partnering with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. By leveraging Upstart's AI marketplace, Upstart-powered banks and credit unions can have higher approval rates and lower loss rates across races, ages, and genders, while simultaneously delivering the exceptional digital-first lending experience their customers demand. More than 80% of borrowers are approved instantly, with zero documentation to upload.

Upstart is a digital-first company, which means that most Upstarters live and work anywhere in the United States. However, we also have offices in San Mateo, California; Columbus, Ohio; and Austin, Texas.

Most Upstarters join us because they connect with our mission of enabling access to effortless credit based on true risk. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Upstart, we’d love to hear from you!

The Team

Upstart’s legal team is a key component of the company, helping Upstart innovate in the fintech space across multiple products and supporting its mission of expanding access to credit based on true risk. We are a team of savvy, hardworking and genuinely nice individuals collaborating closely with the business in achieving its objectives.

The capital markets legal team is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel, who is able to lead and negotiate complex capital markets transactions, as well as support the rest of the capital markets legal team in day-to-day matters as they arise (including on asset-backed securitizations, warehouse financings, investment funds, and investor services support). This role requires someone who is adaptable and can think outside of the box, while having a strong transactional and finance background (experience in private credit, debt finance, structured finance, securitizations, debt capital markets or structured lending strongly preferred).

Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Remote

Time Zone Requirements - This team operates on the East/West Coast time zones.

Travel Requirements - As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.

How you’ll make an impact:

Lead and support legal negotiations on complex structured financing transactions
Work closely with our capital markets and finance teams to structure novel deals with key investors in order to ensure capital commitments for Upstart
Support other team members in structuring, drafting and negotiating securitizations and warehouse financing deals with sophisticated counterparties
Provide legal and strategic guidance to assess and mitigate legal risk by building a deep understanding of the business and collaborating with internal clients, including accounting, data analytics, product, treasury, operations and tax
Assist in general commercial transactions and agreements as needed

What we’re looking for:

Minimum requirements:
- J.D. degree with solid academic credentials and a state bar membership (CA or NY preferred)
- 5+ years of experience with a minimum of 3 years at a top-tier law firm; experience in debt finance, investment funds, capital markets, private credit or structured finance
- Self-starter who thrives under limited direction and is excited by challenges
- Strong communication skills with a demonstrated ability to effectively and proactively provide quick, concise, and practical legal advice
- Eager to develop expertise in new or unfamiliar areas of law
- Adaptability: willingness to be flexible and excited to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with asset-backed securitizations, secured and unsecured lending
- Experience setting up joint ventures, co-investments or funds; experience negotiating against or working with large private equity/credit funds
- Strong law firm training and some in-house experience at a fintech company preferred

What you'll love:

Competitive Compensation (base + bonus & 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 and after-tax savings
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Life and disability insurance
Generous holiday, vacation, sick and safety leave
Supportive parental, family care, and military leave programs
Annual wellness, technology & ergonomic reimbursement programs
Social activities including team events and onsites, all-company updates, employee resource groups (ERGs), and other interest groups such as book clubs, fitness, investing, and volunteering
Catered lunches + snacks & drinks when working in offices

#LI-REMOTE

At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).

United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range

$171,400—$237,200 USD

Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to ensuring that underrepresented classes receive better access to affordable credit, and are just as committed to embracing diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices. We celebrate all cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and know that we can only become better together.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email candidate_accommodations@upstart.com

https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy

Average salary estimate

$204300 / YEARLY (est.)

min

max

$171400K

$237200K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Senior Legal Counsel, Capital Markets, Upstart

At Upstart, we’re on a mission to revolutionize credit access through our innovative AI lending marketplace. We believe in transforming how lending works, and that's where our Senior Legal Counsel, Capital Markets comes in. This position is vital for our operations, as you will lead and negotiate complex capital markets transactions, ensuring we structure the best deals for our business. If you have a strong background in finance, a knack for creative problem-solving, and at least five years of legal experience, we would love for you to join our friendly and driven legal team. You will collaborate closely with various departments, providing legal insights and mitigating risks, while also supporting the team in drafting and negotiating deals. Working remotely, you will have the flexibility to reside anywhere in the United States, with team-building opportunities every quarter to meet your colleagues in person. Upstart offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a welcoming work culture where you can thrive. If you’re excited about making an impact in the fintech world, we’d love to hear from you to explore how you can fit into the Upstart family!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Senior Legal Counsel, Capital Markets Role at Upstart

What are the responsibilities of a Senior Legal Counsel, Capital Markets at Upstart?

As a Senior Legal Counsel, Capital Markets at Upstart, you will lead the negotiation of complex structured financing transactions while collaborating with capital markets and finance teams to devise innovative deals with key investors. Your role will also include providing legal guidance to assess and mitigate risks associated with financing agreements, and assisting in asset-backed securitizations and warehouse financing deals.