Employment and Compliance Counsel

Overview

A high-growth fintech organization is seeking an Employment & Compliance Counsel to join their Legal team. This role involves serving as a strategic partner and trusted advisor on employment law matters while also providing broad generalist legal support to a regulated fintech business.

Responsibilities

Employment Counseling & Advisory (~50%)

• Act as the primary legal advisor to the People Team on employment matters including hiring, performance management, terminations, reductions in force, and sensitive employee issues.
• Provide proactive counsel on employment law compliance, with particular expertise advising on non-exempt employee populations.
• Stay current on federal, state, and local employment law developments to help avoid legal issues.
• Support and advise on internal employment investigations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate employment-related documents such as offer letters, employment agreements, separation and severance agreements, PIIAs, and equity-related communications.
• Translate new legal and regulatory requirements into clear, practical guidance for People Team and business stakeholders.
• Partner with the People Team to develop and maintain employment policies, handbooks, and compliance procedures.

Generalist Legal Support (~50%)

• Support regulatory investigations and examinations by government agencies, coordinating with outside counsel as needed.
• Advise on privacy and information security matters under applicable federal and state laws.
• Support active litigation and disputes, including coordination with outside counsel, document collection, and internal communications.
• Review and advise on marketing and advertising materials for legal and regulatory compliance.
• Draft and negotiate commercial agreements and provide general contract support across the business.

AI Fluency & Adoption

• Utilize AI tools daily as a core part of legal research, drafting, analysis, and problem-solving.
• Build workflows and agents to increase efficiency and reduce repetitive work.
• Evaluate and apply emerging AI capabilities thoughtfully, balancing quality and risk.
• Help the legal team develop AI fluency and articulate AI’s strengths and limitations in legal contexts.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 8–10+ years of legal experience with significant employment law expertise, especially counseling non-exempt employee populations.
• At least one prior in-house legal role; experience in startups or high-growth technology companies is a strong plus.
• Law firm background preferred, with ability to translate analytical rigor into practical business guidance.
• Strong relationship-building skills with non-legal stakeholders including People teams, senior executives, and business leaders.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated curiosity and eagerness to learn beyond core employment law.
• Comfortable engaging with unfamiliar legal questions across adjacent areas of law.
• Team-oriented mindset, willing to assist colleagues proactively.
• Detail-oriented with strong process and documentation discipline.
• Pride in producing high-quality work and distinguishing critical issues.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $190,000 - $220,000, determined by geographic location, skills, and experience.
• Additional compensation may include bonuses, commissions, and equity.
• Comprehensive benefits package including:
  • 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 4% of compensation (immediately vested) and no plan fees.
  • Top-tier health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Competitive time off and parental leave.
  • Access to financial wellness tools and professionals.
  • Enhanced mental health support for employees and dependents.
  • Fertility healthcare and family forming benefits.
  • Student loan resources.
  • Monthly work-from-home stipend and quarterly lifestyle stipend.
  • Team-building experiences including virtual events and offsites.

Location

• United States (salary and benefits adjusted based on location).

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

The organization is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran or military status, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. Employment is at-will.

Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the application process upon request.

Additional Information

• Applicants should apply directly through the organization's official careers page.
• The organization does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party vendors or recruiting agencies.
• Compliance with applicable laws including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and CCPA guidelines is maintained.