Manager, People Programs

Upstart; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Equity grants

401(k) with company match

ESPP

Job summary

Upstart is seeking a People Programs Manager to lead end-to-end program management for key employee initiatives, including mid-year and year-end performance cycles, Pulse, and AI Acceleration. This hands-on role requires structuring complex, cross-functional workstreams and delivering high‑quality execution with executive visibility.

You will partner across Communications, Culture & Development and the broader People Team to drive AI adoption, change management, and employee experience

Qualifications

• 6+ years in People or HR programs or related field.
• Experience leading cross-functional programs with multiple workstreams, milestones and stakeholders.
• Experience managing at least one enterprise People program (performance, AI adoption, change initiatives).
• Ability to translate broad direction into integrated workplans with clear ownership and decisions.
• Experience using data to measure program effectiveness and inform improvements.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including executive-ready updates and recommendations.
• Ability to influence without formal authority and drive accountability across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of mid-year and year-end performance reviews with timelines, readiness, communications, and cross-functional dependencies.
• Manage the Pulse program with analytics, launch, response tracking, results distribution, and action planning.
• Serve as central program manager for AI Acceleration with milestones and progress tracking.
• Collaborate with Internal Communications, L&D, Technology, and People Team on AI adoption and enablement.
• Create integrated program plans and operating rhythms with clear ownership and risk management.
• Improve systems, playbooks, and processes using feedback and data for future cycles.
• Support additional high-priority, nontechnical People programs as capacity allows.

Skills

People programs

Cross-functional programs

Program management

Change management

Communication

Executive updates

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

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.

About Upstart

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 3,000 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, 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

Upstart’s Communications, Culture & Development team helps Upstarters understand where the company is going, feel connected to its purpose, and build the capabilities they need to do their best work. We partner across the People Team and the business to create clear, effective employee experiences at important moments throughout the year.

As the People Programs Manager at Upstart, you will lead end‑to‑end program management for some of our most visible employee programs, including our mid‑year and year‑end performance review cycles, Pulse, and AI Acceleration work. You’ll bring structure and momentum to complex, cross‑functional initiatives, translate program direction into practical plans, and ensure decisions turn into coordinated, high‑quality execution.

This is a hands‑on role for a strong operator who can see around corners, create clarity in ambiguity, and move comfortably between the larger purpose of a program and the details required to deliver it well.

How You’ll Make An Impact

• Lead the planning and delivery of Upstart’s mid‑year and year‑end performance review cycles, coordinating timelines, systems readiness, communications, stakeholder inputs, launch activities, and cross‑functional dependencies to create a clear and effective experience for Upstarters and managers.
• Manage the Pulse program in partnership with People Analytics, HRBPs, and senior leaders, coordinating survey readiness, launch, response tracking, results distribution, action‑planning logistics, and follow‑through.
• Serve as the central program manager for AI Acceleration, translating executive direction into coordinated workstreams, milestones, decision points, and measurable progress.
• Partner across Internal Communications, Learning and Development, Technology, and the broader People Team to support employee‑facing AI adoption, communications, enablement, experimentation, and change management.
• Create integrated program plans and operating rhythms that establish clear ownership, surface dependencies and risks, support timely decisions, and keep cross‑functional partners moving toward shared outcomes.
• Continuously improve the systems, playbooks, and processes behind each program, using employee feedback, program data, and lessons learned to make future cycles more coordinated, measurable, and effective.
• Support additional high‑priority, nontechnical People programs as capacity and business needs allow.

Minimum Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in People or HR programs, employee experience, enterprise program management, organizational change, internal communications, or a related field.
• Experience leading complex, cross‑functional programs with multiple workstreams, dependencies, milestones, and stakeholders.
• Experience managing at least one enterprise People program, such as performance management, employee listening, AI or technology adoption, change management, or another company‑wide employee initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to translate broad direction into integrated workplans, clear ownership, decision points, and coordinated execution.
• Experience using quantitative and qualitative data to measure program effectiveness and inform practical improvements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver clear, concise, executive‑ready updates and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without formal authority and create accountability across teams, functions, and levels.
• A hands‑on working style and willingness to own both strategic coordination and detailed final‑mile execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting performance review cycles, employee listening or engagement surveys, AI adoption, or enterprise change initiatives.
• Experience supporting employee adoption or behavior change related to AI, technology, or new ways of working.
• Ability to translate employee feedback, program data, and lessons learned into clear recommendations and practical improvements.
• Familiarity with employee survey platforms, performance management systems, project‑management tools, or modern knowledge and collaboration platforms.
• Demonstrated fluency with GenAI tools and an interest in helping organizations adopt AI thoughtfully and effectively.
• Experience working in a remote‑first, technology, fintech, rapidly evolving, or regulated environment.

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

At Upstart, our benefits for full‑time employees 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
• Retirement benefits to help you plan for the future, including a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
• Comprehensive health coverage designed to support you and your family, including medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for US and supplemental health coverage for Canada.
• Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)
• Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage for added financial security
• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, in line with local requirements
• Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments (duration varies by country)
• Family‑centered benefits to support fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
• 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 (US Only)
• 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, all‑company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
• Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro‑kitchens when working from one of our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City

For roles based in Canada, please note that we are not currently able to hire in Quebec.

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 [e-mail]

https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy