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General Counsel

New York, New York

About Monstro

Monstro is the operating system for governed financial intelligence. We build governance and intelligence infrastructure that enables artificial intelligence to operate safely, explainably, and at institutional scale.

We exist because the level of financial guidance historically available to a small group should be accessible to many more people. By combining AI with deep institutional infrastructure, we help financial institutions deliver more personalized, responsible, and life-changing financial support to millions of individuals.

We’re building mission-critical systems in a highly regulated domain, and we care deeply about doing it right. If you’re motivated by meaningful problems, high standards, and shaping infrastructure that improves financial outcomes, you’ll feel at home here.

About the Role

Monstro is hiring a sharp, seasoned General Counsel (Senior Vice President level) to serve as our founding legal architect. This role will report to the CEO and is highly cross-functional in nature. As the sole legal hire, our GC will own the full spectrum of all things legal as it pertains to Monstro: for example corporate matters, contracts (such as vendor contracts, client contracts etc),  data governance, IP strategy, and regulatory compliance. 

Vendor contracts - API access, data licensing, third-party AI infrastructure - are an immediate and ongoing priority and must be built to scale from day one. As Monstro enters new markets, this role owns the compliance infrastructure for each expansion, managing local counsel and building regulatory frameworks ahead of operational entry. The right person also embeds with product and engineering on regulatory questions and leads complex institutional client negotiations.

Why This Role Matters

Monstro handles PII and highly sensitive financial data - some of the most regulated in any industry with high stakes for compliance. The SVP General Counsel is the person who keeps the company protected across every deal, market entry, data relationship, and corporate decision. As Monstro scales globally and takes on larger contracts, a well-built legal function becomes a direct competitive advantage.

Success is measured by how confidently Monstro can grow - and how rarely legal becomes the reason it can’t.

What You’ll Do

Own the Legal Function

  • Be our legal authority on every legal matter across all functions - including but not limited to internal legal ops, contracts, data privacy, equity, governance, IP strategy, fundraising 
  • Build & own the legal function from scratch - processes, templates, playbooks, and risk frameworks that scale - and be the trusted advisor to execs on legal risk & strategy
  • Manage primary outside counsel strategically, knowing what to handle in-house, when to escalate, and when to go direct to local counsel
  • Leverage & implement AI tools within legal as appropriate

Vendor Contracts & Data Agreements

  • Own all vendor contract negotiation and management such as those covering data licensing, API access, and third-party AI infrastructure
  • Build contract frameworks and playbooks to strategically manage vendor relationships
  • Partner with engineering to ensure contractual terms align with how data is ingested, processed, and attributed

Client Contracts & Commercial Legal

  • Lead negotiation and drafting of complex institutional client agreements - MSAs, data processing agreements, and deployment contracts with banks and financial institutions
  • Partner with the commercial team to structure deals, resolve blockers, and close quickly
  • Advise on liability, indemnification, IP ownership, and data rights

Regulatory Compliance

  • Own Monstro’s compliance & regulation posture across all areas: financial services, data privacy, AI governance, and consumer protection in every jurisdiction
  • Monitor the regulatory landscape for AI in financial services and action as needed
  • Liaise with regulators and ensure Monstro remains audit-ready

International Expansion & Local Counsel

  • Build frameworks & strategies to remain legal/compliant as we scale to new jurisdictions
  • Manage the process of hiring, partnering with or managing outside counsel in new areas
  • Advise on cross-border data transfers, local licensing, and jurisdiction-specific contract requirements

IP Strategy

  • Define and own Monstro's IP strategy - focused on structuring and documenting proprietary technology, not defaulting to patent filings
  • Advise on trade secret protection, confidentiality frameworks, and what makes Monstro's technology distinct and protectable
  • Manage existing trademark filings and partner with engineering and product to embed IP thinking into how the company builds

What Success Looks Like 

  • Monstro is compliant and legally protected end to end, across every dimension
  • Our compliance infrastructure is built to institutional standards, giving bank partners the confidence to approve Monstro through their own internal legal and procurement processes
  • Client contracts close without extended legal delays - templates and negotiating positions are clarified and understood by counterparties
  • Vendor and data agreements hold up under due diligence and regulatory scrutiny
  • New markets are entered with compliance and legal proactively cleared 
  • Legal is treated as a commercial enabler and brought in early to close deals
  • Outside counsel and local legal partners are leveraged strategically - engaged at the right moments, briefed efficiently, and managed to outcome rather than billable hours
  • The legal function scales strategically and efficiently with company growth 

What We’re Looking For

  • 10-12+ years of legal experience, with meaningful in-house experience at a fintech, AI company, or financial institution - or a combination of top-tier law firm and in-house
  • JD required; New York bar admission strongly preferred
  • Deep familiarity with the legal and regulatory landscape for AI and data-driven products in financial services
  • Proven negotiator on complex commercial contracts with banks or similar regulated counterparties
  • Hands-on experience with data licensing, API agreements, and third-party vendor contracts
  • Experience supporting international expansion - entity structuring, local counsel management, multi-jurisdictional compliance
  • Commercially minded - finds solutions that protect without stalling momentum

Why Monstro?

  • Ownership & Impact: Shape the future of AI-powered finance—building a category-defining product used by consumers and institutions around the world.
  • Elite Team: Join a team with leadership that has a track record of scaling companies from early stage to major exits.
  • Principles-Driven Culture: Work in a culture that values speed, ownership, and impact—what most companies achieve in 90 days, we do in 45.
  • Comprehensive Compensation Package: Competitive salary, equity, and robust benefits package, including paid health, vision, dental, and disability coverage.

 

Base Compensation Range for New York City: $317,000 - $377,000


*The posted range reflects the base salary for this role across the market ranges for each location. Final compensation will depend on a variety of factors, including experience, skills, internal leveling, and market conditions, and will be offered within the stated range in accordance with applicable pay transparency laws.

 

Ready to Build With Us?

If you’re excited to contribute to a high-bar team building something meaningful, we love to hear from you!

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