Corporate Counsel

EMPOWER OVERVIEW

Empower is shaking up an outdated financial system by providing real opportunity for our customers: the opportunity to get the cash they need, to access fair credit, and to change their financial story. Today, we’re helping millions of people find financial security through machine learning models that evaluate creditworthiness using a more inclusive lens and mobile-first products: Cash Advance, Thrive line of credit, and Petal credit cards. Tomorrow? Creating even more financial paths for our customers (and their wallets) to succeed.

This year, Empower ranked #65 on Inc. 5000’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies list — our third year in a row cracking the top 100 — and was named by Forbes as one of the 25 Next Billion-Dollar Startups for 2024. Empower was also featured by Forbes on America’s Best Startup Employers list in 2023, and our Thrive line of credit product was named by Fast Company as one of 2022’s Next Big Things in Tech.

Empower is backed by Sequoia Capital, Blisce, and Icon Ventures. Ready to grow your impact and accelerate your career? Take a look at our open roles — we can’t wait to meet you.

THE EMPOWER WAY

Great Expectations: We come up with bold, audacious goals for ourselves and go all out for impact

Owner Mindset: We give every employee latitude to act independently, make smart choices, and move the business forward

Spirited Debate: We love skeptics and seek counter opinions to challenge our personal assumptions and expand our view

Customer Obsession: We listen to understand, empathize, and create a memorable, rewarding experience for our community

Inclusive Collaboration: We believe diverse teams make the best decisions, and we strive to give diverse voices a seat at the table

No Jerks Allowed: We value our relationships and take the time to build trust and connection and communicate respectfully

WHAT EMPOWER OFFERS

Competitive salary

Generous equity package

Full healthcare benefits

Technology expense reimbursement

Virtual first environment

JOB DESCRIPTION
Empower is looking for a sharp and nimble Corporate Counsel! You’ll tackle a broad range of strategic initiatives including capital markets transactions, M&A, and fundraising, alongside critical run-the-business functions such as commercial contracts and corporate and employment matters. As an early legal hire, you’ll have a unique opportunity to help establish the structure of Empower’s legal function and autonomy to set up for success as we scale. And you’ll report directly to the General Counsel, making your impact highly visible to company leadership.
Empower is a fast-paced, high growth environment–if you’re our ideal candidate, you excel in rolling up your sleeves, crafting structure within ambiguity and juggling multiple projects. You approach problems from first principles to find novel solutions. You can work autonomously and make judgment calls with confidence. You’ll interface directly with various cross-functional partners, so clear and concise communication of legal principles is a must. 
Empower is a remote-first company. We drive connectivity through regular company offsites. Travel for company offsites is expected at a minimum 2 times a year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Capital Markets: Support Empower’s capital markets team in negotiating, operationalizing and maintaining financing facilities to support our product suite (e.g. venture debt, warehouse facilities and asset-backed securities issuances) and providing related advice to internal stakeholders. 

• M&A: Manage the structuring, negotiation, and execution of strategic M&A opportunities, including identifying material diligence issues to leadership and liaising with outside counsel to prepare and finalize deal documentation. Establish structure/process for M&A initiatives to ensure transactions progress smoothly.

• Commercial Contracts: Draft, revise and negotiate commercial contracts with vendors and partners, providing analysis and advice on risks and terms. Engage with  relevant stakeholders to ensure contractual obligations are socialized and operationalized as needed.

• Employment Law: Support and advise Empower’s people team on various aspects of employment law as they arise, including recruitment, employee relations, terminations, and workplace safety. Collaborate with the people team to further develop and mature relevant policies, training materials and templates.

• Corporate: Take the lead on drafting and maintaining internal corporate documentation including approvals, committee charters and intercompany agreements.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree; member of at least one state bar 

• 4+ years of in-house experience, including some experience at early stage startup (preferably fintech) 

• Some law firm experience preferred but not required

• Experience with M&A due diligence, capital raising initiatives, and transaction management, including preparing legal documents for financing activities

• Successful negotiation of commercial contracts in a corporate setting

• Strong analytical reasoning skills

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely
  

At Empower, we hire for people that push themselves to understand others and seek out ways to challenge their personal assumptions. Our hope is that by fostering such an environment, we strengthen our business and relationships by putting people first. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workspace where everyone (regardless of age, education, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or any personal characteristics) feels like they belong. Even if your experience doesn’t exactly match up to our job description, you should feel empowered to apply regardless!