Senior Counsel - Payments & Product

Company Description
Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. We build, power, and evolve the tools and technologies that connect millions of entrepreneurs with millions of buyers around the world. As an Etsy employee, you will tackle unique, meaningful, and large-scale problems alongside passionate coworkers, all the while making a rewarding impact and Keeping Commerce Human.

We believe exceptional companies are built by exceptional teams, and we're intentional about it. That means hiring great people, setting them up for success from day one, and giving them real reasons to grow their careers here. We invest in development that goes beyond promotions, and we foster the trust and relationships that help people do their best work together.

What’s the role?

This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly talented individual with global payments expertise to join our growing legal team that supports Etsy as a Senior Counsel, Payments & Product.

This global role will support Etsy advising on all aspects of payments strategy, operations and expansion, including product development, commercial transactions and ongoing relationships, and regulatory requirements. You’ll counsel Etsy’s business, product, marketing, operations, compliance and engineering teams on the application of payment laws and regulations, helping us to build products, adopt policies and expand internationally in a way that meets our obligations, as well as the needs of our community. You will be hitting the ground running, answering interesting questions and tackling uncharted Fintech problems. 

This is a full-time position reporting to the Director, Assistant General Counsel, Product.

What’s this team like at Etsy?

Etsy Legal is a dynamic team of lawyers working on some of the hardest technical, commercial, and regulatory problems around. We work with people throughout the company to help Etsy grow in a manner that complies with payments, financial services, and other regulations across the world.

What does the day-to-day look like?

• Work with business teams to explore and evaluate new business opportunities in the payments space across multiple jurisdictions, to help the teams understand regulatory compliance obligations and to facilitate launch of any new payments-related products/services.
• Counsel Etsy’s business, product, marketing, operations, compliance and engineering teams on the application of payment laws and regulations, helping us to build products, adopt policies and expand internationally in a way that meets our obligations, as well as the needs of our community.
• Provide thought-leadership on the evolution of Etsy’s payments strategy.
• Advise the business on legal issues surrounding structuring of new and existing payments-related products from initial stages of product development through to launch and beyond.
• Draft customer-facing policies for our payments products and advise on appropriate customer communications and disclosures.
• Be an integral part of the payments product, engineering, and commercial teams; working with them to help design and deliver solutions that are compliant with applicable legislation, such as PSD3.
• Manage local outside counsel to secure and provide tailored advice on the launch of payments products and features across various markets.
• Monitor payments related legal and regulatory developments applicable to the businesses and advise on change management processes related to those developments.
• Coordinate closely with subject matter experts within the global Legal team to ensure comprehensive and consistent legal risk mitigation strategies. Collaborate closely with the Compliance function with identifying and complying with all relevant regulatory compliance obligations that apply to the payment operations of the Etsy group marketplaces, both within the US and internationally.
• Ensure effective risk management practices in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies.
• While payments will be the primary focus, this role may also provide counsel on other product areas as business needs evolve.
• Of course, this is just a sample of the kinds of work this role will require! You should assume that your role will encompass other tasks, too, and that your job duties and responsibilities may change from time to time at Etsy's discretion, or otherwise applicable with local law.

Qualities that will help you thrive in this role are:

• 4+ years experience at both a law firm and/or in-house. JD (or local equivalent), and are admitted to a state bar (preferably NY or CA) or are qualified to work in-house in New York or Dublin.
• In-house experience at a FinTech.
• Deep and broad substantive knowledge of global payments regulation and regulatory frameworks relevant to payments and financial services systems globally.
• Experience identifying, understanding, and managing international payments legal and regulatory risks.
• Ability to work in a high-velocity environment, meet tight deadlines and act decisively.
• Ability to present complex issues in a clear and concise manner and provide succinct, practical and results-driven legal advice. Excellent business judgment, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience being the primary point of contact with clients. Lead in handling the legal side of a project. Background working cross-functionally across legal, compliance, finance, business and engineering functions.
• Experience in a fast paced company, with a history of advising in real-time in meetings, providing accurate guidance and pragmatic solutions.
• Experienced at getting the most from the internal teams you work with, others in legal, and outside counsel, through clear communication and effective project management.
• Effective communicator both verbally and in writing with experience with technical payments specialists and senior business leaders. Excellent presentation skills and a comfort with leading discussions relating to legal and regulatory risk at the executive level are essential. 
• You love what you do and could work in many places, but you want to work at Etsy because you recognize that having the chance to contribute impactful work and grow a company with an outstanding mission is a rare opportunity.

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to salary, you'll be eligible for an equity package, an annual performance bonus, and our competitive benefits that support you and your family. Base salary is determined by your location, skills, and experience.

Etsy uses two geographic pay zones to reflect the labor markets where we compete for talent: one called Geo-1, covering the New York City metropolitan area, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle metropolitan area, and one called Geo-2, covering all other U.S. locations. Salary ranges for this role vary by zone and are listed below.

Location

We prioritize candidates based within commutable distance of Etsy’s Brooklyn Office. Depending on proximity, we ask team members to come in once or twice per week. Remote candidates outside commutable distance may be considered on a case-by-case basis, with the expectation of occasional travel to the office. Learn more details about our work modes and workplace safety policies here.

Salary Range:

• Geo-1: 
• Geo-2: 



What's Next

If you're interested in joining the team at Etsy, please share your resume with us and feel free to include a cover letter if you'd like. As we hope you've seen already, Etsy is a place that values individuality and variety. We don't want you to be like everyone else -- we want you to be like you! So tell us what you're all about.

Our Promise

At Etsy, we believe that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace furthers relevance, resilience, and longevity. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply. Etsy is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship or immigration status, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status**, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law**. If, due to a disability, you need an accommodation during any part of the interview or hiring process, please let your recruiter know and we will work with you to meet your needs. While Etsy supports visa sponsorship, sponsorship opportunities may be limited to certain roles and skills.