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; Austin, Texas; and New York City, NY (opening Summer 2026).
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 Role:
Upstart is building innovative products that expand access to credit. The Finance team plays a critical role in shaping business decisions, aligning strategy with execution, and ensuring financial discipline as products scale.
This Director, Strategic Finance will serve as the primary day-to-day finance and strategy partner to the Small Dollar Loan leadership team, providing analytical insight, financial rigor, and cross-functional coordination as the business evolves. The role spans strategic planning, business analytics, financial performance management, and execution of high-impact initiatives.
You will operate at the center of decision-making—developing business cases, diagnosing performance trends, and helping translate strategy into action across Product, Engineering, Operations, Capital Markets, Analytics, and Go-To-Market teams.
How you’ll make an impact
Strategic Partnership & Business Leadership
- Serve as the primary finance and strategy partner to SDL business leaders, ensuring alignment between strategy, financial outcomes, and execution
- Act as a connective tissue across Product, Engineering, Operations, Analytics, Capital Markets, and GTM teams to drive clarity and accountability
- Facilitate structured prioritization and trade-off discussions to focus resources on the highest-impact initiatives
Strategy Development & Financial Analysis
- Identify, evaluate, and size strategic opportunities, growth initiatives, and investment decisions
- Build rigorous business cases, financial models, and scenario analyses to support go/no-go decisions
- Partner with cross-functional teams to scope initiatives, align stakeholders, and drive recommendations through execution
Business Performance Management & Insights
- Own ongoing financial and operational performance tracking for the SDL business
- Monitor key metrics, identify emerging trends or risks, and lead root-cause analyses when performance deviates from expectations
- Translate complex data into clear insights and actionable recommendations for senior leadership
Financial Planning & Operational Rigor
- Support short- and long-term financial planning, forecasting, and budget management for the SDL business
- Partner with FP&A and Accounting to ensure accurate forecasting, reporting, and transparency
- Improve reporting, tooling, and analytical infrastructure to support scalable decision-making
Minimum Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in Strategic Finance, FP&A, Corporate Finance, Business Operations, or a similar analytical role
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build and interpret complex financial and operational models
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and/or Google Sheets; experience with SQL and BI tools such as Looker, Tableau, or Mode
- Proven track record of partnering cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, Operations, and GTM teams
- Experience building business cases, evaluating investments, and managing performance through KPIs
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment
- Comfort working in ambiguous, evolving environments and translating strategy into execution
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in fintech, lending, consumer finance, subscription, or technology-enabled marketplaces
- Experience with forecasting, cohort-based economics, unit economics, or credit-driven business models.
- MBA or advanced degree in Finance, Economics, or a related field.
Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote
Time zone requirements The team operates on the East/West coast time zones.
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
#LI-REMOTE
#LI-Director --> use for L7
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).
Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Just as we are dedicated to improving access to affordable credit for all, we are committed to inclusive and fair hiring practices.
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 [email protected]
https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy
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