About Upstart:

• Mission: Radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans.
• Leading AI lending marketplace partnering with banks and credit unions.
• Platform uses over one million predictions per borrower with 1,800+ signals.
• Digital-first company with flexibility to work remotely or from offices in Columbus, Austin, Bay Area, or New York City (opening Summer 2026).

The Team:

• Role: Lead Commercial Counsel for Lending Partnerships (LP).
• Work in a fast-paced innovative environment.
• Key point person for Lending Partnerships business.
• Handle commercial, business development, and transactional legal matters across the organization.
• Exposure to new legal issues and diverse tasks like contract drafting and negotiation.
• Required experience drafting and negotiating complex B2B SaaS agreements.
• Preferred experience with financial services/technology licenses in regulated environments.

How You’ll Make an Impact:

• Build deep understanding of Lending Partnerships business; collaborate with internal clients.
• Provide legal and strategic advice to assess/mitigate risks while driving growth.
• Review, draft, negotiate various commercial agreements: purchase agreements, loan sale agreements, servicing agreements, master services agreements, software licenses, SOWs, etc.
• Engage internal stakeholders to resolve issues efficiently during negotiations.
• Develop processes/templates for commercial transactions to support business growth.

What We’re Looking For:

Minimum Requirements:

• J.D. degree with solid academic credentials; state bar membership (NY or CA preferred).
• 7+ years transactional practice experience at law firm or combination of in-house/law firm focusing on transactional/commercial matters.
• Ability to act as legal point during complex negotiations; work effectively with sales leadership.
• Experience reviewing/drafting/negotiating complex B2B SaaS agreements preferably in regulated environment or licensing into one.
• Problem solver with “can-do” mindset; ownership to drive matters start to finish.
• High standard for work product.

Preferred Requirements:

• 10+ years experience ideally including prior in-house roles at fintech, financial services or technology companies; start-up/high-growth experience a plus.
• Experience leading/closing complex commercial negotiations (e.g., high value purchase agreements or strategic partnerships).
• Curiosity about Upstart’s business; willingness to work cross-functionally beyond traditional legal roles.
• Desire to mentor/collaborate within legal team; build scalable processes as company grows.
• Strong communication skills translating complex legal/risk concepts for non-lawyers.
• Eagerness to learn new products, AI/data issues, unfamiliar law areas with solutions-oriented mindset.
• Entrepreneurial drive seeing ambiguity as opportunity; strong judgment in ambiguous situations.

Position Location:

• Remote

Travel Requirements:

• Majority remote work possible; encouraged to attend in-person team onsites once or twice per quarter.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Anticipated base salary range: $208,000—$287,900 USD (varies by location).
• Target bonuses, equity compensation, generous benefits including medical/dental/vision/401k matching ($2 for every $1 contributed up to $15k/year).
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), paid family leave, wellness allowances, mental health support, financial wellness resources.

Equal Opportunity Employer statement included.