Marketing 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:

Upgrade’s growing Legal team is seeking a Marketing Counsel to advise and work collaboratively with various teams on marketing and advertising of financial products offered through Upgrade and related initiatives. The legal issues you'll encounter are cutting edge and always evolving. The ideal candidate has strong experience in consumer finance, excels at building relationships, and is comfortable working with ambiguity and in a fast-paced environment. This role will have the opportunity to work on the full suite of products and services across the business. Experience developing legal and regulatory frameworks and playbooks for marketing, promotions, social media, and other related areas is a plus.

Candidates who can work in a hybrid capacity from our San Francisco office are preferred, but remote candidates (working Pacific Time hours) will be considered.

What You’ll Do: 

• Evaluate legal risks and provide practical legal advice on marketing materials and content for credit and deposit products. 
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant laws, including FTC Act, CAN-SPAM, TCPA, FCRA, and TILA, as well as industry best practices.
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on marketing content, including email marketing, direct mail offers, online content, promotional terms, contests, sweepstakes, and press releases. 
• Work independently while exercising sound judgment in seeking guidance, direction, and escalating issues.
• Develop and implement streamlined systems, policies and playbooks for efficient legal review of marketing materials.
• Prioritize workload, set goals, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and occasionally ambiguous business environment.
• Demonstrate a proactive and flexible approach to tasks and responsibilities.

What We Look For:

• J.D. and Bar membership in good standing
• 5+ years advising financial institutions/fintech companies as a lawyer at a leading law firm or in-house legal department
• Innate curiosity, desire and ability to learn rapidly and to improve processes
• Resiliency and comfort serving as a trusted business partner
• Quick adopter of new and evolving technology
• A team player with a sense of humor and self awareness

Nice to Have:

• Big Law and fintech startup experience 
• French fluency 

What We Offer You: 

• Competitive salary and stock option plan
• 100% paid coverage of medical, dental and vision insurance 
• Flexible PTO 
• Learning stipend for personal growth and development 
• Paid parental leave
• Health & wellness initiatives
• Relocation expenses (if appropriate)

The compensation range of this position in San Francisco, CA is USD $200,000 - $230,000 annually plus 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.

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.