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:
Upstart’s Home Lending vertical is seeking a Vendor Management Program Manager to establish and run a new, centralized vendor management function. This role will be responsible for building the foundation for consistent vendor oversight, quality and performance tracking, risk control, and change management across our Home Lending operations and product teams. You will be the primary owner of vendor relationships and process, driving accountability, creating structure, and ensuring our external partners enable efficient, compliant, and scalable operations.
As the Program Manager at Upstart, you think strategically and analytically, approach challenges with a solutions mindset, and excel at improving processes and workflows. You take full ownership of initiatives from concept to execution, operating independently while driving meaningful results. You also communicate clearly and build strong, collaborative relationships with both internal teams and external vendors.
How you’ll make an impact
- Design and manage the vendor management framework for Home Lending
- Oversee vendor performance and governance by defining metrics, scorecards, and review cadences
- Develop and lead robust quality control function to ensure process accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence
- Create and deliver training programs that upskill internal teams on vendor processes and best practices
- Identify and mitigate vendor risk related to cost, performance, and compliance
- Partner across Product, Legal & Compliance, Finance and other teams to align vendor activities with business goals
- Continuously improve vendor operations through data analysis and structured process enhancements
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of experience in an Operations Vendor Management position within a financial institution or fintech
- Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
- Proven track record of process improvements, problem solving and effective task prioritization
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in Home Lending vendor partnerships
- Understanding of complex or securitized asset products
- Experience establishing vendor governance processes or performance frameworks
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
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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. 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 [email protected]
https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy
