Head of Public Policy
$250k – $350k - 0.1% – 0.4% equity
Summary:
Novig is the first peer-to-peer sports prediction market, recently closed a $18M Series A round from Forerunner Ventures & Y Combinator. Other investors include Lux, Soma, Paul Graham, Joe Montana, Innospark, the founders of Instacart and Dropbox, and many other top angels and funds. Live in 42 states + DC, Novig has grown from $0 in August 2024 to ~$1 billion annual run-rate trading volume today.We are looking for a General Counsel. Salaries are at the top of benchmarks, with significant equity ownership and generous benefits.Our founders are recent Harvard grads with quant experience at Jane Street and BoA and years of experience as sharp sports bettors.
With $300B annually bet on sports in the US, the market is rapidly growing—particularly given the opportunity for operators to capitalize on the sweepstakes business model.Currently, the only way to bet is with retail sportsbooks, which have egregious margins, discriminatory and inefficient practices, and a stale betting experience. Novig is a sports prediction market that guarantees users the best lines by allowing them to play directly against friends or the market, rather than against the house—making the wagering experience more efficient, fair, and profitable.
What will you do?
This role requires a dynamic leader who can wear multiple hats in our fast-paced startup environment. You'll be instrumental in shaping our legal strategy and public policy initiatives while ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions.Your responsibilities will encompass:
Legal Leadership and Compliance
- Develop and oversee Novig’s legal strategy to ensure compliance with sweepstakes regulations across multiple states
- Navigate complex gaming laws and regulatory frameworks while proactively identifying risks and opportunities for expansion into new markets
- Manage all corporate governance matters, including contracts, intellectual property protection, employment law issues, and litigation strategy
- Build relationships with regulators to ensure smooth operations within a rapidly evolving legal landscape
Public Policy Advocacy
- Drive Novig’s public policy efforts by engaging with lawmakers, regulators, and industry groups to advocate for fair gaming practices and favorable legislation
- Represent Novig in industry associations (e.g., AGA) to shape discourse around sweepstakes gaming and sports prediction markets
- Monitor legislative developments impacting sweepstakes gaming and provide strategic recommendations to leadership
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with product teams to ensure compliance is embedded into product design from inception
- Collaborate with marketing teams on promotional strategies that align with legal requirements while driving user acquisition
- Work closely with external counsel on specialized matters requiring deep expertise in gaming law or tax compliance
What are we looking for?
Qualifications:
- JD degree from an accredited law school; admission to at least one state bar (NY preferred)
- 5+ years of experience in gaming law or regulatory compliance (preferably within sweepstakes or DFS industries)
- Proven track record of managing relationships with regulators or working within a regulatory body (e.g., Gaming Commission or Attorney General Alliance)
- Strong understanding of public policy advocacy within the gaming industry
Core Competencies:
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to anticipate legal challenges and proactively develop solutions that align with business goals
- Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels (executives, regulators, investors)
- Leadership: A team player who builds trust across all levels of the organization while driving results in a fast-paced startup environment
- Attention to Detail: Highly detail-oriented with exceptional organizational abilities to manage complex workflows effectively
Preferred Attributes:
- Experience working in early-stage startups or high-growth environments is highly desirable.
- Passion for sports betting or markets is a plus but not required.
- Intellectual curiosity with the ability to research new challenges and implement effective solutions quickly.
Who is Novig?
At Novig, we have reimagined the sports betting landscape by building a sweepstakes-based sports prediction market. Our innovative platform allows users to engage in sports predictions without traditional gambling constraints. By leveraging the sweepstakes model, we ensure compliance with regulatory requirements while providing a unique, engaging, and profitable experience for our users. Our goal is to make sports prediction more accessible, fair, and enjoyable.Novig’s founders—Jacob and Kelechi—are recent Harvard grads with experience at Jane Street & BoA who started Novig with the belief that a commission-free P2P exchange model will replace the exploitative and unprofitable betting model of traditional sportsbooks.
They themselves were sophisticated sports bettors who grew increasingly frustrated by latency issues, discriminatory practices, monotony, and non-profitability within retail sports betting.As the regulatory landscape evolves in the United States, Novig is positioned to become a leading innovator with our unique focus on research and technology.
How does Novig approach compensation?
We are big believers in providing excellent compensation to everyone on the team as we build:
- Salaries at the top of benchmarks you’d find for senior roles at big-name companies.
- Equity provided to all employees regardless of role—we want everyone on our team to grow alongside us as we scale our product.
- Significant equity ownership ensures alignment between employee incentives and company success.
What benefits does Novig offer?
We are embarking on an ambitious journey and are committed to providing generous benefits:
- Robust health, dental, and vision plans covering 100% of health premiums and 90% of dental/vision premiums.
- Generous 401(k) plan matching up to 4% of base salary.
- Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions totaling $1,080 annually.
- $24/day food or commuter stipend when working in our new office.
- Wellhub (Gympass) membership for fitness programs.
