Head of Corporate Strategy

Upwork; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of Corporate Strategy to shape its long-term strategic direction. This pivotal role involves collaborating with senior leadership to enhance market position and drive growth. You will lead strategic initiatives, conduct rigorous analyses, and mentor a team of strategy professionals. Join a remote-first organization that values trust, innovation, and excellence while providing exceptional benefits, including comprehensive medical coverage and unlimited paid time off. If you have a passion for strategic development and a desire to make a significant impact, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical Insurance

Unlimited Paid Time Off

401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions

12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in corporate strategy or management consulting.
• Strong leadership and analytical skills with proven strategic development.

Responsibilities

• Drive Upwork’s corporate strategy and align on strategic priorities.
• Conduct analyses to inform decision-making and support strategic planning.

Skills

Corporate Strategy

Management Consulting

Investment Banking

Analytical Skills

Leadership

Communication

Education

MBA

Quantitative Degree

Job description

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace. We serve everyone from one-person startups to large, Fortune 100 enterprises with a powerful, trust-driven platform that enables companies and talent to work together in new ways that unlock their potential.

Last year, more than $3.8 billion of work was done through Upwork by skilled professionals who are gaining more control by finding work they are passionate about and innovating their careers.

As the Head of Corporate Strategy, you will play a pivotal role in shaping Upwork’s long-term strategic direction. Reporting to the Vice President of Strategy, Corporate Development, and Partnerships, this leader will partner with Upwork’s senior and executive leadership to develop and execute initiatives that enhance Upwork’s market position, drive growth, and increase shareholder value.

The Corporate Strategy team is part of a broader strategy and growth function responsible for strategy creation, M&A and investment activity, business development, and financial/payment partnerships. This high-visibility role provides the opportunity to directly impact Upwork’s long-term success and value creation.

Responsibilities

• Drive the development of Upwork’s corporate strategy, focusing on 3–5 year horizons, annual planning, and addressing key business challenges.
• Partner with senior leaders across business units to identify and align on strategic priorities that drive growth and enhance market competitiveness.
• Support strategic planning by conducting scenario analyses and recommending actionable initiatives.
• Thought Leadership
  • Provide actionable insights and recommendations to senior leadership on emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities that align with Upwork’s goals.
  • Act as a strategic advisor to leaders across the organization, offering guidance on critical decisions and initiatives.
  • Contribute to a culture of innovation by identifying and advocating for new business opportunities and go-to-market strategies.
• Research & Analysis
  • Conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative analyses to address key strategic questions, uncover insights, and inform decision-making.
  • Lead efforts to analyze market dynamics, competitive positioning, and emerging opportunities to ensure Upwork remains a market leader.
  • Own addressable market (TAM) analyses, identifying growth potential and strategic areas for investment.
• Project Management & Execution
  • Manage cross-functional initiatives that align corporate strategy with operational execution and financial planning.
  • Work closely with FP&A, Analytics, and Business Units to integrate strategy into long-term planning and ensure alignment with company goals.
  • Prepare materials for key stakeholders, including quarterly board presentations, to communicate progress and insights.
• Manage and mentor a team of strategy professionals, fostering a collaborative environment that drives high-quality outputs and professional growth.
• Encourage cross-functional collaboration to ensure strategic initiatives are well-informed and executable.
• Act as a role model for Upwork’s values, promoting a results-driven, innovative, and inclusive culture.

What it takes to catch our eye

• 12+ years of experience in corporate strategy, management consulting, investment banking or a related field
• A proven track record of strategic development in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, preferably in technology, marketplaces, or Human Capital Management.
• Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into actionable strategies.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience building and mentoring high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Organized, structured, and highly proactive with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• MBA or quantitative degree from a top school is preferred.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape talent solutions for how the world works today. We are a remote-first organization working together to create exciting remote work opportunities for a global community of professionals.

At the core of our vibrant culture are shared values that form the foundation of our organization. These values revolve around trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence. Our overarching mission is to create economic opportunities so that people have better lives.

We take pride in providing exceptional benefits to our employees. These include comprehensive medical insurance coverage for both you and your family, unlimited paid time off, a 401(k) plan with matching contributions, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Upwork is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we never discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.