Job Description

Director, Corporate Communications at 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

Upstart's Communications team shapes how our story shows up in the market, with a focus on building trust, clarity, and relevance across external audiences. The team partners closely with leaders across the company to connect business performance, industry context, and innovation into a narrative that is timely, credible, and differentiated.

As the Director, Corporate Communications at Upstart, you will lead and partner on key aspects of our corporate communications strategy, with a focus on executive visibility, corporate messaging, media relations, and thought leadership. In this role, you will help position Upstart and its leaders at the center of important conversations shaping lending, AI, consumer finance, and the broader economy. You will operate across strategy and execution, partnering with senior leaders while driving proactive storytelling that builds credibility over time.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Define and evolve Upstart's corporate narrative, ensuring it is grounded in company performance, industry dynamics, and the broader economic landscape.
• Develop and execute communications programs that increase Upstart's visibility across business, financial, technology, and mainstream media.
• Build and elevate the external profiles of Upstart executives through media strategy, thought leadership platforms, speaking opportunities, and contributed content.
• Counsel senior leaders on messaging, positioning, media engagement, and high-stakes communications moments with sound judgment and consistency.
• Partner with Investor Relations, Legal, Marketing, Growth, and Internal Communications to align messaging across external touchpoints and audience moments.
• Translate complex topics, including lending, credit, AI, regulation, and macroeconomic trends, into clear and compelling stories for external audiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, Marketing, Business, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, executive communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience developing corporate messaging and media relations strategies for a public company, high-growth technology company, fintech, or other regulated industry.
• Experience building executive visibility programs and supporting senior leaders through media interviews, speaking engagements, and sensitive communications moments.
• Experience partnering cross-functionally with functions such as Investor Relations, Legal, Marketing, and executive leadership to deliver coordinated external communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the media landscape across business, financial, technology, and consumer outlets.
• Ability to translate complex business, financial, and policy topics into clear, audience-centered messaging and thought leadership.
• Experience identifying proactive storytelling opportunities tied to industry trends, macroeconomic developments, and the news cycle.
• Skills in developing contributed content, messaging frameworks, and executive communications materials for senior leaders.
• Experience using AI platforms and tools to improve communications workflows, insight generation, or team effectiveness.

Position Location

This role is available in the following locations: Remote

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 or Canada (outside of Quebec) but are expected to spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites and in-person meetings. The onsite 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 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 (opening Summer 2026!)

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 candidate_accommodations@upstart.com

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