Lead Automotive Product and Regulatory Counsel

About Upstart

Upstart is a 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 two-thirds of Upstart loans are approved instantly and are fully automated.

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 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

#LI-MidSenior

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).

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