Description:
Why you'll LOVE Sagent:You could work anywhere. We know you are talented and looking for something inspiring and impactful. A place where you will make a difference and have a great time doing it!
By choosing Sagent, you can be part of our mission to make loans and homeownership simpler and safer for all consumers.
Sagent powers servicers and consumers. You power Sagent!
About the role:
Sagent is seeking an experienced Chief Legal Officer to lead the company's legal function across commercial contracting, corporate governance, litigation, and strategic stakeholder relationships. This is a high-visibility role reporting to the President with regular exposure to the Board, private equity sponsor(s), and Sagent's key strategic partners. The ideal candidate combines deep commercial contracts expertise with the judgment and gravitas to represent the company in the boardroom and manage complex, high-stakes relationships.
Key Responsibilities:
Contracts (New, Current & Customer Upgrades)
- Own end-to-end contract lifecycle management for new customer agreements, renewals, and upgrade/expansion deals
- Negotiate and close commercial agreements including MSAs, SOWs, SaaS/licensing agreements, data processing agreements, and vendor contracts
- Partner with Sales, Product, and Customer Success to structure deal terms that balance commercial velocity with risk management
- Build and maintain scalable contracting playbooks, templates, and approval workflows as the company grows
- Manage contract risk across the existing customer base, including amendments, upgrades, and renegotiations
- Select, engage, and manage relationships with outside counsel across litigation, regulatory, IP, and specialized transactional matters
- Own outside counsel budget, scope management, and billing oversight to ensure cost-effective, high-quality legal support
- Serve as the primary internal point of coordination between outside counsel and business stakeholders
- Prepare board materials, legal updates, and risk disclosures for regular Board meetings
- Attend Board meetings and serve as the attorney representing Sagent's interests and providing legal counsel directly to the Board
- Advise the Board and executive team on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and material legal/regulatory risks
- Support Board committee work (audit, compensation, etc.) as needed
- Serve as a trusted legal and strategic point of contact for key stakeholders
- Manage the legal dimensions of these relationships, including contract governance, escalations, and strategic alignment
- Build durable, trust-based relationships that support Sagent's broader commercial and strategic objectives with these parties
- Lead and scale the legal, compliance, and risk management function as the company grows
- Advise executive leadership on corporate strategy, M&A, financing, and regulatory matters
- Oversee corporate governance, entity management, and compliance programs
- Manage IP strategy and protection
- Own enterprise risk management and legal policy development
- Build and mentor an internal legal team as scale requires
- Represent Sagent in litigation matters, coordinating with outside counsel as needed
- Oversee labor and employment matters, including disputes, claims, and compliance with employment law
- Partner with HR/People teams to manage employment risk, policies, and investigations
- Develop litigation strategy and manage case outcomes in the company's best interest
Qualifications:
- J.D. and active bar membership in good standing
- 12+ years of legal experience, including significant in-house experience; prior CLO/GC experience strongly preferred
- Demonstrated experience negotiating commercial/SaaS contracts at scale
- Direct experience presenting to and advising a Board of Directors
- Experience working with or reporting to PE-backed or investor-governed companies
- Strong litigation oversight experience, including labor and employment matters
- Excellent judgment, communication skills, and executive presence
- Experience in fintech, lending, mortgage servicing, or related regulated industries a plus
