People Programs Lead AI & Engagement (Remote)

Upstart; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 138,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Equity grants

401(k) with company match

Comprehensive health coverage

Job summary

Upstart is seeking a People Programs Manager to lead end-to-end program management for key employee initiatives, including performance cycles, Pulse, and AI Acceleration. You will translate strategy into practical plans, maintain momentum, and coordinate cross-functional workstreams with a hands-on execution style.

The role emphasizes structured program plans, data-driven improvement, and close partnership with People, Communications, Learning & Development, and Technology teams.

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of mid-year and year-end performance reviews, timelines, readiness, communications, stakeholder inputs, launch activities, and cross-functional dependencies.
• Manage the Pulse program with analytics, 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 and milestones.
• Partner across Internal Communications, Learning and Development, Technology, and the broader People Team to support AI adoption and change management.
• Create integrated program plans and operating rhythms with clear ownership and risk surface.
• Continuously improve systems, playbooks, and processes behind each program using feedback and data.
• Support additional high-priority, nontechnical People programs as capacity and business needs allow.

Skills

People programs

Cross-functional programs

Change management

Executive updates

Project coordination

Communication skills

Tools

Survey platforms

Performance management systems

Collaboration platforms

PM tools

Job description

Upstart is seeking a People Programs Manager to lead end-to-end program management for key employee initiatives, including performance cycles, Pulse, and AI Acceleration. You will translate strategy into practical plans, maintain momentum, and coordinate cross-functional workstreams with a hands-on execution style.

The role emphasizes structured program plans, data-driven improvement, and close partnership with People, Communications, Learning & Development, and Technology teams.