Legal Counsel - Corporate & Commercial
Job description
About the role
This position centers on owning complex commercial agreements from inception to execution. You will serve as a pragmatic transactional partner within a fast-moving fintech environment. Your responsibilities will directly influence how securely and quickly new initiatives move forward. The role involves drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a diverse array of commercial agreements while supporting corporate and governance matters. You will build repeatable processes for a lean legal function that handles high throughput.
About Betterment
Betterment operates as a technology-driven financial services company, offering investing, savings, and retirement solutions for retail investors and investment advisors. The company also provides financial wellness solutions, including a 401(k) for small and medium-sized businesses. Its mission focuses on empowering people to build wealth with confidence and ease. Betterment is headquartered in New York City and offers a hybrid work arrangement. This structure includes four days per week in the office, with no required office days during the summer and winter holidays.
Key facts
Location is Betterment's headquarters in New York City. The engagement model is hybrid, requiring four days onsite weekly. The base salary range for this position is $170,000 to $185,000. Actual salaries may vary based on location, experience, and performance. This element is one component of Betterment's total compensation package. The role may also be eligible for variable compensation in the form of a company incentive bonus.
What you'll do
You will draft wide-ranging commercial contracts and interpret terms with precision. Building standard form agreements and refining legal workflows will be central to increasing throughput for the legal team. You will partner with business teams to launch initiatives and align on product terms. Supporting corporate transactions through all stages, including securities and technology matters, will be a core duty.
Investigating risks across operations and coordinating cross-functional mitigation strategies will fall within your scope. You will guide deals involving vendors, technology providers, and commercial partners under tight timelines. Navigating regulatory and compliance requirements alongside product, engineering, and line of business colleagues will be necessary. Resolving and preventing disputes through clear contract language and practical solutions will be a regular function.
Additional responsibilities include reviewing board and shareholder materials and handling equity plan administration duties. You will collaborate with outside counsel when specialized expertise or capacity is required.
Requirements
You must hold a JD and admission to a state bar, with at least four years of transactional experience in-house or at a firm. You manage shifting priorities while thriving in a fast-paced, technology-driven setting. You build repeatable processes that serve a lean team covering broad subject matter.
A bias toward action-oriented problem solving is essential, favoring doing over mere issue spotting. You own projects end-to-end and operate with strong independence. Clear communication skills enable you to translate legal risk into language that non-lawyers understand. You handle complexity while creating straightforward structures and documents.
A collaborative mindset and innate curiosity are required. You feel genuine enthusiasm for Betterment products and mission.
Nice to have
Experience with Ironclad or comparable contract management systems is valued. A background in retail financial services or representing financial services clients is preferred. In-house experience within a startup or high-growth company is considered a plus.
Practical notes
This job may also be eligible for variable compensation in the form of a company incentive bonus. Compensation details and job requirements are confirmed Confirm all details there for the most current information.
About the company
Buildings gain value through outside factors, not owner effort. Owners receive this added worth as unearned increment. Clients benefit from such natural growth without extra work. Market shifts and zoning changes create these gains. Teams guide clients through these changes. Focus stays on property location and long term trends. Guidance helps secure returns. Understanding external value rise helps owners plan. Clients rely on steady advice. Goals center on safe, steady management of property value.