Corporate Counsel, Financial Services

Collectors • Santa Ana, CA

31d • $190,000 - $300,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Collectors is seeking a Corporate Counsel to serve as the designated legal lead for its growing Financial Services business and payments ecosystems. This is a build role where the selected candidate will help establish the legal infrastructure for a bank-originated lending program from its inception, and continue to develop it as the business and payments ecosystems expand. The role reports to the General Counsel and is based in the Santa Ana office, with remote or hybrid options considered. Significant in-person collaboration is valued, and candidates within a 1-hour commute of an office may be required to be onsite most of the time. The position involves taking primary legal responsibility for the lending program, including drafting agreements, managing governance, partnering with external counsel and internal teams on program design and regulatory matters, and ensuring compliance with consumer lending regulations and payments laws.

Requirements

• Graduate of a top law school with AmLaw100 or other large national law firm experience.
• In good, active standing with the California Bar (or eligible for registered in-house counsel status).
• 6+ years of legal experience, with at least 2-3 years at a fintech, BaaS platform, or other consumer lending company in an in-house legal role or a similar role advising such companies at a top law firm.
• Substantive experience with consumer lending regulation: TILA/Reg Z, UDAAP, FCRA, ECOA, GLBA, state licensing, and bank partnership program structures.
• Working familiarity with payments and money movement concepts (money transmission, stored value/wallets, EFTA/Reg E, card network basics) sufficient to spot issues and partner effectively with business teams.
• Comfortable advising on novel product structures and partnering with business teams in a fast-moving environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams while maintaining quality.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Responsibilities

• Take primary legal responsibility for Collectors' lending program, including drafting commercial and consumer loan agreements, key partner agreements, program documents, and ongoing program governance.
• Partner with outside counsel, consultants, and the Collectors Financial Services team on program design and regulatory positioning.
• Draft and maintain disclosures and review marketing materials in compliance with applicable laws.
• Stay current on developments in consumer lending regulation and emerging requirements affecting program structure.
• Advise on AML/BSA, OFAC, and KYC obligations applicable to lending counterparties and payments flows.
• Cross-functional partnership to embed legal and compliance requirements across the lending lifecycle and non-lending payments flows.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: All full-time employees are eligible to enroll in Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Additional Benefits: Full-time employees are eligible for fertility, commuter, and educational assistance benefits
• 401(K) Matching Plan
• Vacation: All salaried employees are eligible for flexible time-off
• Holiday Pay: All regular, full-time employees are eligible for ten company paid holidays
• Employee Discounts: Employees receive discounts on select grading services for approved submissions
• Flexible Hours: Many of our teams offer flexible schedules with varying shifts and will work with you to accommodate your needs
• Fun Working Environment: Our team members are invited to participate in celebrations, holiday events, and team building activities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree