Senior Counsel, Capital Markets

Affirm; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 195,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% subsidized medical coverage

Monthly tech/health/wellness stipends

Flexible time off & holidays

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Affirm is seeking a Senior Counsel, Capital Markets to lead and advise on diversified capitalization strategies. The role requires expert knowledge of financing, corporate transactions, and capital markets law, with collaboration across internal teams and external partners.

In addition to leading complex deals, this role focuses on growth, compliance, and strategic counsel within a remote-first environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant law-firm experience, with preferred in-house fintech start-up exposure.
• Experience in structured and/or debt finance including term, revolving, asset-based lending; warehouse and asset-backed financing; loan sales; securitizations.
• Outstanding integrity and work ethic.
• Excellent business judgment and interpersonal skills for negotiations with internal and external customers.
• Proven experience as a key contributor on a high-performing team.
• Self-motivation and ability to take ownership of projects.
• Natural self-starter with ability to work solo or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Advise and support capital markets team in building out capital sources and strategies, including international expansion.
• Advise and support bank partnerships in developing the network of originated and card issuing partner banks.
• Independently lead each financing transaction or bank partner initiative from strategy to closing.
• Draft, review and negotiate all US and international capital markets deal documents.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of lending and securities laws in capital markets transactions.
• Communicate legal advice clearly and timely to stakeholders.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams as capital markets legal lead for projects.

Skills

Capital Markets

Debt Finance

Negotiation

Interpersonal Skills

Self-motivation

Team Player

Education

JD degree

US Bar Admission

Job description

At affirm, we exist for the moments that matter—giving people a clear, predictable way to pay over time, with no hidden fees, no surprises, and no tradeoffs on what matters most.

About The Legal, Compliance, And Public Affairs Team

The Legal, Compliance, and Public Affairs team is a group of dedicated professionals committed to helping affirm scale, innovate, and provide outstanding products for consumers, merchants, and key partners. We combine legal, compliance, and policy expertise to guide growth, shape products, and build trust across our ecosystem. Our work spans multiple professional disciplines and provides the foundation for affirm’s mission to deliver honest financial products.

About The Role

Our legal team is looking to add a Senior Counsel, Capital Markets to our growing Corporate Affairs function. This lawyer will lead and advise on broad-based efforts to build a diversified capitalization strategy. One should have an expert understanding of financing and corporate transactions, along with a desire to learn and grow in a legal role focused on capital markets and finance. In addition, this lawyer should have outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills, be capable of prioritizing responsibilities, and have the desire to work with internal and external customers. This attorney will report to the Director, Capital Markets Counsel and work closely with affirm’s capital markets and bank partnerships business teams.

What You’ll Do

• Advise and support the capital markets team in building out the company’s network of capital sources and strategies, including capital markets international expansion
• Advise and support the bank partnerships team in building out the company's network of originating and card issuing partner banks
• Independently lead each financing transaction or bank partner initiative from a legal perspective, from strategy discussions to deal execution and maintenance beyond closing
• Draft, review and negotiate all US and international capital markets deal documents, including credit and security agreements, loan sale agreements, indentures, officer certificates, board and shareholder resolutions, and side letters
• Demonstrate expert knowledge and understanding of lending and securities laws and regulations relating to capital markets transactions
• Communicate legal advice in a clear, concise, and timely manner
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams as a capital markets and/or bank partnership legal main point of contact, providing thought leadership on other special projects

What We Look For

• 7+ years of relevant law-firm experience, and we'd prefer some additional in-house experience (particularly if it's from a high-growth fintech start-up)
• JD degree from a well-regarded law school and membership (in good standing) in a US state bar
• Previous legal experience in structured and/or debt finance--term, revolving, and asset-based lending; warehouse and asset-backed financing; loan sales; securitizations; and creative forms of funding
• Outstanding integrity and work ethic
• Excellent business judgment and interpersonal skills, to facilitate negotiations with external and internal customers
• Strong interpersonal and problem‑solving skills, meticulous attention to detail, maturity, an eye for business, proactivity, and an excellent attitude
• Proven experience as a key contributing member of a high performing team
• Self‑motivation and ability to take ownership of projects
• Natural self-starter, with the ability to work efficiently (both solo and as part of a team)

Base Pay Grade - O

Equity Grade - 8

Employees new to affirm typically come in at the start of the pay range.

affirm focuses on providing a simple and transparent pay structure which is based on a variety of factors, including location, experience and job-related skills.

Base pay is part of a total compensation package that may include equity rewards, monthly stipends for health, wellness and tech spending, and benefits (including 100% subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision for you and your dependents.)

USA base pay range (CA, WA, NY, NJ, CT) per year: $220,000 - $280,000

USA base pay range (all other U.S. states) per year: $195,000 - $255,000

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Remote-first with flexibility built in

affirm is proud to be a remote-first company. Most roles can be done from almost anywhere within the country of employment. Some positions may occasionally require in-person work at an affirm office, and a few are office-based due to the nature of the work. All new hires will be invited to attend an in-person onboarding experience.

Benefits Designed For You

• Health coverage at no cost: We cover 100% of premiums for employees and their dependents.
• Spending stipends: Monthly stipends support your tech setup, and the ability to choose health and wellness options that are right for you.
• Time off to recharge: Flexible time off and generous holiday calendars help you rest when you need to.
• Own a piece of what you build: Our employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) lets you buy affirm stock at a discount.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive interview process, including accommodations for candidates with disabilities. If you need support, we’re happy to help.

For positions based in San Francisco or Los Angeles: affirm considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, as required by law.