Whatnot

Legal Operations Associate

Whatnot • $90K — $130K *
San Francisco, CA 94112In-Person
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-8+ years in legal operations or contracts management, preferably in tech, law, or financial services
  • Demonstrated ownership of the entire contract lifecycle and commercial negotiation
  • Proven ability to build or significantly transform legal operations functions
  • Experience with AI, automation, and data-driven transformations in legal
  • Strong analytical skills with ability to create dashboards and interpret data
  • Comfort operating in ambiguity and navigating complex legal landscapes
  • Budget management experience and detail-oriented follow-through
  • Excellent written communication skills, capable of summarizing complex agreements effectively
  • Familiarity with CLM platforms, ideally Ironclad
  • Working knowledge of US corporate, commercial, and labor law with international exposure a plus
  • Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration across the organization

Responsibilities

  • Own the entire contract lifecycle from drafting to post-execution management
  • Implement and maintain a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system
  • Develop template libraries to facilitate self-service for common agreements
  • Create scalable legal workflows for matter intake and signature processes
  • Audit technology tools and contribute to a legal tech roadmap
  • Lead automation and AI initiatives to enhance legal service delivery
  • Build a legal operations dashboard to track key performance metrics
  • Manage outside counsel relationships and oversee external legal costs
  • Maintain corporate governance records and manage compliance-related matters
  • Support annual planning for the Legal Department, driving culture and professional growth initiatives

Benefits

  • High-ownership role in a fast-paced, innovative environment
  • Opportunity to shape legal processes and systems from scratch
  • Collaborative work environment with multiple business functions
  • Access to advanced technology solutions and AI tools
  • Flexible work arrangements promoting work-life balance
  • Professional development opportunities and team-building initiatives
  • Insight into legal operations in the evolving fintech and crypto landscape
Full Job Description
The Role

We're hiring a Legal Operations & Contracts Manager to be the operational backbone of our Legal function. You'll sit directly under our General Counsel and partner across the company - Engineering, Talent, Finance, BD, and our incubated spinout entities - to make Legal an enabler rather than a bottleneck. This is a high-ownership seat at a small, fast-moving company; you'll build process from scratch where it's needed and skip it where it isn't.

What You'll Do

Contract Lifecycle & CLM
  • Own the end-to-end contract lifecycle: intake, drafting, redlining, negotiation support, signature routing, and post-execution storage. Scope spans vendor agreements, BD deals, NDAs, grants, validator and node operator agreements, employment-related contracts (with Talent), and incubation entity setups.
  • Stand up and maintain our CLM. We're early - you'll have a meaningful hand in tool selection and implementation.
  • Develop and maintain template libraries (NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, DPAs, grant agreements) with embedded fallback positions so the business can self-serve where appropriate.

Legal Operations & Technology
  • Build legal workflows that scale: matter intake, request triage, signature processes, retention and records policies.
  • Audit existing technology tools, identify gaps, and contribute to a legal technology roadmap covering matter management, CLM, e-billing, and AI-assisted workflows.
  • Lead efforts that push automation, AI, and data-driven insights into how we deliver legal work across the organization.
  • Build a legal operations dashboard tracking matter volume, cycle times, contract turnaround, and outside counsel spend.

Outside Counsel & Spend Management
  • Manage external counsel relationships, scoping, and budgets. Keep spend disciplined and matters moving on the clock.
  • Review, modify, and enforce billing guidelines to drive cost rigor across external legal spend.
  • Manage external vendors and consultants to ensure effective partnerships and strong ROI.

Corporate Governance & Compliance
  • Track entity governance for Sei Labs - corporate records, board consents, KYC packets, signatory matrices.
  • Partner with Finance on contract-driven obligations (payment terms, renewals, audit rights) and with Talent on employment paperwork across US, EU, and EOR jurisdictions.
  • Support the GC on regulatory and compliance workstreams - sanctions screening processes, token-related matters, privacy program work, and policy build-out.

Planning & Team Operations
  • Support the Legal Department's annual planning cycle, including budget and headcount.
  • Help organize key programs and events that support the day-to-day functioning and culture of the Legal team, including onboarding, L&D resources, and initiatives that foster team cohesion and professional growth.


What You Bring
  • 5-8+ years in legal operations, contracts management, or senior paralegal / contract negotiator roles at a tech company, law firm, or financial services firm.
  • Demonstrated ownership of the contract lifecycle end-to-end, including direct negotiation of commercial terms with counterparties.
  • Proven track record building or significantly transforming a legal operations function - this role requires writing the playbook, not following one.
  • Experience leading or supporting AI, automation, or data-driven transformation initiatives within a legal department.
  • Strong data and analytics skills; ability to build dashboards and translate metrics into operational insights.
  • Comfort operating in ambiguity. You build the system as you go and don't wait for someone to hand you a playbook.
  • Capacity for managing budgets, timelines, and competing priorities with a sharp eye for detail and follow-through.
  • Strong written communication. You can summarize a 40-page agreement in five bullets and a recommendation.
  • Familiarity with at least one CLM platform (Ironclad, LinkSquares, Agiloft, Evisort, or similar). Preference for Ironclad.
  • Working knowledge of US corporate, commercial, and employment law fundamentals. International exposure (EU, Singapore, Cayman, BVI) is a plus.
  • Highly effective interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across all levels inside and outside the organization, with a focus on building trusted relationships.
  • Positive, get-it-done attitude that is receptive to feedback, pushes for excellence, and inspires others to overcome challenges.


Bonus Points
  • Prior experience in crypto, fintech, or financial-services company.
  • Exposure to token-related agreements, validator / staking contracts, or foundation / protocol governance structures.
  • Experience supporting fundraising, M&A, or spinout transactions.

About Whatnot

Whatnot is a Los Angeles-based startup that creates a place where avid collectors could come together over shared interests. Whatnot is a marketplace to buy and sell authentic collectible items. Whatnot was founded in 2019, in California.

Whatnot Careers

Joining Whatnot presents an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a leading team in the marketplace, where innovation meets diversity and professional growth. Whatnot is renowned for its unique culture that fosters leadership and promotes career advancement through continuous learning and development.

Explore Job Opportunities

Whatnot is actively seeking talented individuals who are eager to drive innovation and lead in a dynamic environment. The company offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to professionals looking to make a significant impact in their fields. With positions ranging from technology to marketing, Whatnot ensures that every team member’s skills are harnessed effectively.

Experience Professional Growth

At Whatnot, growth is not just a possibility—it is an expectation. The company is committed to the professional development of its employees through robust training programs, including leadership development and diversity training. These initiatives are designed to enhance skills and prepare individuals for future challenges and opportunities.

Engage in Meaningful Work

Every position at Whatnot is designed to challenge team members while contributing to the company’s overarching goals of innovation and service excellence. Employees are encouraged to take ownership of their projects and drive results that influence the company’s trajectory and success.

Internship Programs

For those starting their career journey, Whatnot offers internship programs that provide a comprehensive learning experience. Interns at Whatnot gain hands-on experience, working alongside seasoned professionals and participating in projects that offer real-world applications of their studies.

Benefits and Culture

Whatnot is dedicated to supporting its team members not only in their professional lives but also in their personal growth and well-being. The company offers competitive benefits packages that address health, financial security, and work-life balance. Whatnot’s culture is built on a foundation of respect and inclusion, where diversity is celebrated and every voice is heard.

Join the Team

Whatnot is hiring! Explore open positions that match your skills and interests. The company values curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Prepare your resume and ready yourself for an interview where you can showcase your abilities and fit for the team.

Networking and Career Advancement

Whatnot believes in the power of networking to unlock new opportunities and insights. Employees are encouraged to engage with industry leaders and peers through various professional networking events sponsored by the company. These connections can lead to innovative ideas and collaborations that propel both personal and company growth.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from Whatnot by following the company’s career blog. Gain insider perspectives, career tips, and industry-leading insights that you can apply to your professional life. Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts and the latest news tailored to your preferences.

Discover Whatnot

Whatnot invites you to explore the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await. Join a team where your career aspirations can be realized through dedication, hard work, and a commitment to excellence.
Learn more about Whatnot
Size
251 employees
Industry
Retail & Consumer Goods
* Ladders Estimates

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