About Upstart

At Upstart, we’re united by a mission that matters: to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. Every day, we bring creativity, experimentation, and advanced AI to reshape access to credit, helping millions move forward financially with clarity and confidence.

As the leading AI lending marketplace, we partner with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology that’s both radically intelligent and deeply human. Our platform runs over one million predictions per borrower using more than 1,800 signals, powering smarter, fairer decisions for millions of customers. But the numbers only hint at the impact. Every idea, every voice, and every contribution moves us closer to a world where credit never stands between people and their financial progress.

We’re proudly digital-first, giving most Upstarters the flexibility to do their best work from wherever they thrive, alongside teammates across 80+ cities in the US and Canada. Digital-first doesn’t mean distant. We’re intentional about in-person connection through team onsites, planning sessions, and moments that spark creativity and trust. And whether you choose to work primarily from home or collaborate in-person from one of our offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, or New York City (opening Summer 2026), you’ll have the support to work in the way that works best for you.

If you’re energized by tackling meaningful problems, excited to innovate with purpose, and motivated by work that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you.

The Team:

The HR Operations team is the engine behind the extraordinary—designing seamless systems and experiences that make the complex feel effortless and enable Upstarters to do great work. We build the infrastructure that powers onboarding, policy management, compliance, and more, ensuring every Upstarter can thrive across their career journey. By creating scalable tools, processes, and governance—and partnering with People and business stakeholders—we turn complexity into clarity and create the foundation for employees to succeed.

As the HR Operations Onboarding Specialist at Upstart, you will coordinate onboarding activities, manage data workflows across internal People, Recruitment, and IT systems, and ensure compliance with background and I-9 requirements. You’ll serve as a go-to partner for internal teams and new hires, driving a seamless and delightful day 1 experience for new employees.

How you’ll make an impact

Operate with trust & integrity: You treat sensitive information with care, knowing that trust is the foundation of great working relationships. Whether you're reviewing background checks, processing new hire transactions in Workday, or ensuring I-9s are completed compliantly, you handle data with professionalism, discretion, and a deep sense of responsibility.
Communicate to connect: You know how to tailor your message to meet your audience—whether it’s a quick Slack to a teammate or a clear, timely email to a new hire or hiring manager. You ensure candidates, managers, the People team, and cross-functional partners are aligned and informed every step of the way.
Own the outcome: You take initiative, move fast, and follow through. You coordinate laptop shipments, and address confirmations without missing a beat. If issues arise—whether it’s a data discrepancy across systems or a last-minute change to start dates—you stay steady, find a solution, and keep things moving forward.
Champion the employee experience: You show up with empathy, responsiveness, and a service mindset. You field onboarding questions from candidates, managers, and recruiters—making each interaction an opportunity to build trust and confidence in our process. You know that a smooth start sets the tone for the entire employee journey.
Sweat the details, deliver with pride: You have a sharp eye and a high bar for quality. You monitor data across multiple systems (HRIS, ATS, IT, headcount management) and catch inconsistencies and unblock bottlenecks. Every workflow, form, and message you touch reflects your commitment to accuracy, clarity, and delivering an exceptional experience.

Minimum Qualifications

1-3 years of HR experience, preferably in an HR operations, onboarding, or related role
Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to audiences at all levels of the organization
Self starter who can manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
A responsive, customer-service posture with excellent organization skills
The ideal candidate will pay strong attention to detail as a habit and they will hold the quality of their work as paramount in all that they do

Preferred Qualifications

Experience using Workday and applicant tracking systems (e.g., Greenhouse)
Working knowledge of I-9 and background check processes and tools (e.g. Equifax, Checkr)
Experience in the tech industry

Position location Remote

Time zone requirements The team operates on the East/West coast time zones.

#LI-REMOTE

This is a Non-Exempt position. Employees in this position are paid an hourly pay rate, on a bi-weekly basis, and are eligible to receive overtime pay for any hours worked over 40 in a work week, or over 8 in a work day if required by state law.

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 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 Hourly Rate Range

$40—$50 USD

What you'll love

At Upstart, our benefits are designed to support your health, financial well-being, family, and personal growth. Here’s what you can expect:

Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
Generous 401(k) plan with Upstart matching $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 per year
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees
Affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage, with multiple plan options - Upstart covers 90% to 100% of the cost depending on the plans you choose
Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans
Income protection benefits, including company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, and Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage, with options to purchase supplemental coverage
Paid time off, sick and safe time, and company holidays
Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments
Family-centered benefits through Carrot and Cleo, supporting fertility, parenthood, and caregiving
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support and life-centered resources
Financial wellness resources, including access to financial planning tools and a financial concierge service
Annual wellness allowance to support your physical and emotional well-being and personal development, based on what matters most to you
Annual productivity allowance to invest in relevant tools and resources you need to do your best work, no matter where you work from
Connection and community through team events and onsites, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our four offices, located in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!).

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 candidate_accommodations@upstart.com

https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy

HR Operations Onboarding Specialist (contract)

About this role