The Team

Upstart’s Product and Regulatory Legal team provides enterprise-wide legal guidance in the areas of product development, marketing, fair lending, data privacy/security, as well as licensing and regulatory matters. The team works cross functionally in a fast-paced environment that requires strong collaboration skills. Members of the product regulatory legal team value clear communication, organization, and an enthusiasm to take on new challenges and changing priorities.  

As the Lead Automotive Product and Regulatory Counsel supporting the Automotive Lending team at Upstart, you will play a key role in developing  new products to serve the auto lending market and establishing the legal framework for Upstart’s auto lending platform. You will help grow Upstart’s integration with automobile dealership partners to expand its  auto retail products and services.

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:

• Serve as a core member on the automotive leadership team as we launch, scale, and service dealership sales tools for auto retail lending products, as well as automobile- secured loans offered through Upstart’s bank partnership platform;
• Perform legal research and provide practical legal advice cross functionally on the application of state and federal law governing various consumer financial products offered via Upstart’s platform, including developing legal analyses and requirements documents for new products and features;
• Advise cross functional teams on consumer product designs for online and in-store customer experiences;
• Provide guidance on disputes and issues escalated from the Compliance team, such as those related to marketing, underwriting, and servicing; 
• Monitor industry specific legal issues to advise internal stakeholders on strategies to keep Upstart's products compliant with all applicable laws; 
• Work across the Product and Regulatory Legal team including on servicing and collection of auto loans, and to assist others on the team for various projects and legal advice; and
• Build strong, trusted relationships within the automotive lending team and across the organization.

What we’re looking for: 

• Minimum qualifications:
  • J.D. degree with superior academic credentials and a state bar membership;
  • At least 6+ years of experience in a top-tier law firm, government, in-house legal department, and/or fintech/startup experience with at least 3-4 years experience in automotive lending and servicing;
  • In-depth knowledge of federal and state automotive direct and indirect  lending and consumer protection laws, including FCRA, TILA, ECOA, GLBA, UDAAP, EFTA, ESIGN, FDCPA, bankruptcy, and servicing/debt collection laws; 
  • Experience with automotive refinance products, retail installment contracts, automotive servicing, dealer management systems, and automotive dealer partnerships; and
  • Strong communication skills with a demonstrated ability to effectively and proactively provide quick, concise, and practical legal advice involving competing interests.
• Preferred qualifications:
  • Experience with personal loans, mortgage products, and other open and closed-end consumer finance products;
  • Vendor management and vendor contract negotiation experience; and
  • State licensing and exam experience.

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

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