About Upstart

Upstart is the leading AI lending marketplace partnering with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. By leveraging Upstart's AI marketplace, Upstart-powered banks and credit unions can have higher approval rates and lower loss rates across races, ages, and genders, while simultaneously delivering the exceptional digital-first lending experience their customers demand. More than 80% of borrowers are approved instantly, with zero documentation to upload.

Upstart is a digital-first company, which means that most Upstarters live and work anywhere in the United States. However, we also have offices in San Mateo, California; Columbus, Ohio; and Austin, Texas.

Most Upstarters join us because they connect with our mission of enabling access to effortless credit based on true risk. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Upstart, we’d love to hear from you!

The Team:

Help Upstart's Auto business realize its full potential by being a proactive strategic and operational partner across all functions critical to success. Act as the cross-functional thought leader across the business, turning insights into action and driving execution on what matters most.

The Director, Strategic Finance & Business Operations role spans business analytics, strategy development, business performance management, and execution of high-impact initiatives. You will identify and size new strategic opportunities, generate data-driven insights to guide decision-making, and lead cross-functional efforts to address top business challenges. Whether it’s building a go/no-go business case for a new initiative, diagnosing unexpected shifts in performance, or mobilizing teams around mission-critical goals, you’ll be at the heart of how we shape and scale our Auto business.

How you’ll make an impact:

Strategic Partnership & Business Leadership

Act as a proactive partner to functional leaders, ensuring strategic alignment and execution discipline across all teams including Product, GTM, Sales, Customer Success, Finance, Capital Markets, Analytics, Ops, etc.
Facilitate structured prioritization processes to ensure teams focus on the highest-impact opportunities

Strategy Development & Analysis

Identify, evaluate, and prioritize new strategic initiatives and growth bets
Conduct detailed analyses and develop business cases to support go/no-go decisions
Partner with cross-functional teams to scope initiatives, align stakeholders, and drive from recommendation to action

Business Performance Intelligence & Proactive Problem Solving

Continuously monitor business performance against key metrics
Detect unexpected trends early, lead root-cause investigations, and propose clear, actionable interventions
Own resolution of critical issues that cut across teams, mitigating risks before they escalate and become systemic

Execution Excellence for High-Impact Initiatives

- Drive execution of top-priority programs, especially where cross-functional coordination and operational rigor are critical
- Define success metrics, scope workstreams, and lead working teams to deliver measurable business outcomes
- Step in to directly lead and operationalize initiatives when ownership gaps arise

Minimum Qualifications

10+ years of experience in strategy, business operations, analytics or a similar data-driven role - ideally in fintech or tech.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with fluency in tools like SQL, Excel, and at least one BI platform (e.g., Looker, Tableau)
Proven track record of leading cross-functional initiatives and working across functions such as product, engineering, marketing, and finance
Experience with strategic planning, building business cases, conducting deep dive analyses, and managing operational KPIs
Ability to translate complex data into compelling insights and drive alignment with executive stakeholders
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to influence at all levels of the organization
Exposure to or comfort with financial modeling, forecasting, or cohort-based revenue and cost analysis

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience in management consulting, investment banking, and private equity is highly preferred
Advanced degree (MBA, MS/Phd in Finance or Economics) is a plus but not required

Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote

Travel requirements As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.

What you'll love:

Competitive Compensation (base + bonus & equity)
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart
401(k) with 100% company match up to $4,500 and immediate vesting and after-tax savings
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Life and disability insurance
Generous holiday, vacation, sick and safety leave
Supportive parental, family care, and military leave programs
Annual wellness, technology & ergonomic reimbursement programs
Social activities including team events and onsites, all-company updates, employee resource groups (ERGs), and other interest groups such as book clubs, fitness, investing, and volunteering
Catered lunches + snacks & drinks when working in offices

At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated annualized base salary for this position is expected to be within this range: $184,500 - $255,400. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k). Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. The salary listed above for sales roles is On Target Earnings, which includes both salary and commission, assuming 100% target achievement.

At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).

United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range

$184,500—$255,400 USD

Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to ensuring that underrepresented classes receive better access to affordable credit, and are just as committed to embracing diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices. We celebrate all cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and know that we can only become better together.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email candidate_accommodations@upstart.com

https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy

Upstart Network, Inc. Jobs

Director, Strategic Finance and Business Operations