Senior Partnerships Manager, Emerging Products

Upstart; United States; Remote; USD 130,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative digital-first company is seeking a Senior Partnerships Manager to drive growth through strategic partnerships for exciting new products in auto lending and small dollar relief loans. This role involves optimizing existing partnerships and creating new relationships that expand reach and drive customer acquisition. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, leveraging strong analytical and communication skills to negotiate multi-million dollar agreements. Join a mission-driven team dedicated to enhancing access to affordable credit and making a meaningful impact in the fintech landscape.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401k Plan

Equity Compensation

Target Bonuses

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in strategic partnerships or business development.
• Proven track record in client-facing roles with measurable impact.
• Strong analytical skills using data-driven insights.

Responsibilities

• Drive growth through partnerships for emerging lending products.
• Identify and create new strategic partnerships.
• Analyze partnership performance data to optimize strategies.

Skills

Strategic Partnerships

Business Development

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Relationship Management

Problem-Solving

Tools

Looker

Tableau

Mode

Job description

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 Growth Partnerships team creates, manages, and expands a diverse and growing set of partnerships that help Upstart acquire, retain, and better serve our customers. We work with mission-aligned companies to expand Upstart’s reach and impact - companies whose customers can benefit from effortless credit, or whose products add value for our own customers. As one of Upstart’s primary engines of customer acquisition, the partnerships we create and grow are central to Upstart’s success.

As the Senior Partnerships Manager, Emerging Products at Upstart you will drive growth through partnerships for some of our newest and most exciting product lines - today that's Auto Lending and Small Dollar Relief Loans . You will optimize existing partnerships and create new strategic relationships that expand Upstart’s reach and drive customer acquisition. You will work cross-functionally with Product, Marketing, Analytics, and the GMs of our lending products to scale our new products.

How you’ll make an impact

• Own one of the largest and most important growth channels for two our fastest growing products
• Identify, evaluate, and create new strategic partnerships to expand distribution and customer acquisition for our emerging lending products.
• Manage, grow, and optimize existing partnerships, ensuring they drive long term value for our customers, our partners, and Upstart
• Collaborate closely with our Emerging Product GMs and senior stakeholders to align your investments with product goals, vision, and customer needs.
• Negotiate and structure long term, multi-million dollar partnership agreements
• Analyze partnership performance data to assess impact, identify opportunities for improvement, and optimize strategies.
• Stay ahead of industry trends in fintech, lending, and partnerships to inform and adapt Upstart’s partnership strategy.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience, including strategic partnerships, business development, or growth roles
• Proven track record in a client facing role with measurable business impact
• Strong analytical skills with experience using data-driven insights to optimize partnership performance.
• Exceptional communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and work with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment where adaptability and problem-solving are key.

Preferred Qualifications

• Partnerships / business development experience in financial technology industry
• Strong financial modeling and business case development skillset
• Deep familiarity with BI tools such as Looker, Tableau, or Mode
• Background in contract negotiation and structuring complex deals

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.

#LI-REMOTE

#LI-MidSenior

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).

United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range

$130,800—$181,100 USD

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 [e-mail]

https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy