Commercial Counsel

Upgrade is a fintech company that provides affordable and responsible credit, mobile banking, and payment products to everyday consumers. We were the fastest growing company in the Americas last year according to the Financial Times and Upgrade Card was the fastest growing credit card in America two years in a row. We have delivered over $33 billion in affordable and responsible credit to our 5.5M customers. The company is backed by some of the most prominent technology investors and was recently valued at $6.3B.

We have built an energizing, collaborative and inclusive culture where team members help each other, learn and innovate to move the company and its customers in the right direction, and own the outcome of their efforts.

Upgrade has been named a “Best Place to Work in the Bay Area” three years in a row, “Top Companies to work for in Arizona” and one of the "Best Engineering Department" awarded annually by Comparably. We've also received recognition for being a best company for Diversity, Women, Culture, and Veterans.

We are looking for new team members who get excited about designing and delivering new and better products to join a team of 1850 talented and dedicated professionals. Come work with us if you like to tackle big problems and make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

About the Role:

The Commercial Counsel is a key member of Upgrade’s legal team in San Francisco. In this role, you will help drive commercial contract review and execution, build effective cross-functional working relationships, and work closely with internal and external stakeholders to meet business objectives and protect the company from risk. As a member of legal, you’re at the forefront of innovation and product iteration - we play a key role helping teams explore new ideas and realize goals. That means you’ll learn a lot and have ample opportunity to apply it. We’re also team-oriented and will eagerly share information and resources.

*Preferred locations: SF Bay area, Orange County, CA, Atlanta, GA, or Dallas, TX. Hybrid work schedule: Tu/Thu in office required for candidates in the SF Bay Area, Orange County, Atlanta, and Dallas.

What You’ll Do:

• Manage the end-to-end contract negotiation process for assigned contracts, from initial drafting and review through negotiation and execution for contracts such as vendor/procurement agreements, purchase and servicing agreements, marketing and referral partnership agreements 
• Learn the nuances of Upgrade’s products and work closely with the product team to achieve their commercial goals
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including legal, finance, vendor management, and business teams, to ensure contracts meet business objectives and risk appetites
• Provide guidance and support to internal teams on contract-related matters, including interpretation and clarification of terms and risk exposure
• Ensure adherence to company policies, procedures, and legal requirements during contract negotiation
• Build trust and manage conflicting demands from multiple business clients

What We Look For:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited US law school and current member in good standing with a US state bar 
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a broad range of commercial contracts, including procurement/vendor, partnership, and B2B agreements, with a strong background in both an in-house legal team and the corporate department of a top-tier law firm
• Sound understanding of legal principles and contract law
• Proven track record of communicating complex contract issues effectively and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders
• Exceptional project management and time management acumen 
• Ability to adeptly handle multiple contracts concurrently while maintaining a focus on efficient prioritization
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Eagerness for learning new knowledge in the ever-evolving fintech landscape, demonstrating a genuine curiosity for fintech innovations and contractual frameworks
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of tasks, and meet deadlines

What We Offer You: 

• Competitive salary and stock option plan
• 100% paid coverage of medical, dental and vision insurance 
• Flexible PTO
• Opportunities for professional growth and development  
• Paid parental leave
• Health & wellness initiatives

The compensation range of this position in San Francisco, CA is USD $205,000 - $230,000 annually, equity and benefits. Within this range, an individual's base pay will be dependent on a variety of factors, including without limitation, job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. 

#BI-Hybrid  #LI-Hybrid 

For California residents: Upgrade's California Notice at Collection and Privacy Policy describes our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of the personal information of job applicants.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.