Lead Legal Counsel, Lending Partnerships

Overview

A leading AI lending marketplace is seeking a Lead Legal Counsel for Lending Partnerships. This role involves providing legal support and strategic advice for the Lending Partnerships business, handling a broad range of commercial, business development, and transactional legal matters. The position offers exposure to complex B2B SaaS agreements and commercial agreements in regulated financial services and technology environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of the Lending Partnerships business and collaborate with internal clients to support their goals.
• Serve as a key legal advisor within the Lending Partnerships commercial team, providing strategic advice to assess and mitigate legal risks while enabling business growth.
• Review, draft, and negotiate various commercial agreements, including purchase agreements, loan sale agreements, servicing agreements, master services agreements, software licenses, statements of work, and other contracts.
• Engage with internal stakeholders to resolve issues efficiently during negotiations.
• Develop processes and templates to support and streamline commercial transactions for a rapidly growing business.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree with strong academic credentials.
• Membership in a state bar (New York or California preferred).
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in a transactional legal practice, ideally in technology transactions, capital markets, or similar areas; a combination of in-house and law firm experience focusing on transactional/commercial matters is acceptable.
• Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and work effectively with sales leadership to manage expectations.
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex B2B SaaS agreements, preferably in or licensing into regulated environments.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, "can-do" attitude and ownership to drive matters to completion.
• High standards for work quality and collaboration with similarly high-performing teammates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Over 10 years of experience, ideally including prior in-house roles on high-impact legal teams within fintech, financial services, or technology companies; experience in startups or high-growth companies is a plus.
• Experience leading and closing complex commercial negotiations, such as high-value purchase agreements or strategic partnerships.
• Curiosity about the business and willingness to work cross-functionally beyond traditional legal roles.
• Interest in mentoring and collaborating with legal team members and building scalable processes.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex legal and risk concepts into clear guidance for non-lawyers.
• Enthusiasm for learning about new products, AI, data issues, and unfamiliar legal areas with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Entrepreneurial drive, viewing ambiguity as opportunity and obstacles as chances to innovate.
• Strong ownership, enthusiasm for technology, and sound judgment in ambiguous situations.

Compensation & Benefits

• Anticipated base salary range: $208,000 to $287,900 USD, dependent on geographic location, skills, experience, and education.
• Target bonuses and equity compensation with quarterly vesting.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match ($2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually in the US).
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (US only).
• Health Savings Account contributions (US only).
• Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability coverage.
• Paid time off, sick leave, company holidays, and paid family/parental leave.
• Family-centered benefits supporting fertility, parenthood, and caregiving.
• Employee Assistance Program offering mental health and life resources.
• Financial wellness resources including planning tools and concierge service (US only).
• Annual wellness and productivity allowances.
• Opportunities for connection through team events, company updates, and employee resource groups.
• Onsite perks such as catered lunches and stocked micro-kitchens at offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026).

Location

• This is a remote position available to candidates located anywhere in the United States.
• The role requires occasional in-person collaboration through regular onsite meetings, typically once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days.

Additional Information

• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
• The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusive hiring practices.
• Reasonable accommodations are available upon request during the hiring process.