EMPOWER OVERVIEW Empower is shaking up an outdated financial system by providing real opportunity for our customers: the opportunity to get the cash they need, to access fair credit, and to change their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
Work from anywhere
JOB DESCRIPTION Empower is looking for a lead Product Counsel to help build out Empower's growing suite of consumer financial products. As Empower's first dedicated Product Counsel, you will work closely with Empower's Product, Credit, Marketing, Operations, and Engineering teams, and will report to the General Counsel.
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. And of course, you need an expert understanding of the consumer finance regulatory environment.
Travel for company offsites is expected at a minimum 2 times a year.
RESPONSIBILITIES Advise on the development of new products, features and customer experience and servicing initiatives within relevant legal and regulatory frameworks
Draft and revise needed disclosures and customer-facing agreements and ensure consistency with product specifications
Review marketing campaigns and materials for accuracy and transparency
Provided guidance and support to Empower's compliance team
Keep abreast of relevant legal developments, including changes in law and regulatory enforcement actions.
Stretch to other projects from time to time as needed to support the business (we're a small legal team!)
QUALIFICATIONS 5+ years of relevant legal experience in a major law firm, financial technology, or financial services company; some early- or mid-stage fintech experience preferred.
Deep understanding of U.S. laws and regulations relating to consumer financial services, including TILA, FCRA, EFTA/Reg E, MLA/SCRA, ECOA, E-SIGN, UDAAP, GLBA, BSA/AML and others
Strong analytical reasoning skills
Strong project management skills and ability to prioritize multiple demands
Valid state bar membership
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!