Customer Experience Specialist, Home Lending

Upstart•Columbus, OH

6h•$25 - $25•Hybrid

About The Position

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: The Home Lending Operations team at Upstart is building a borrower experience that is clear, accessible, and human—from the very first interaction through to loan funding. While most of the loan lifecycle is handled by pod-based specialists, the Customer Experience (CX) team plays a pivotal role in guiding potential borrowers and early-stage applicants through the process. This team is instrumental in reducing reliance on traditional call centers by providing proactive, personalized support via phone, email, and chat. As a Customer Experience Specialist, you’ll be the first point of contact for individuals exploring or applying for a home lending product. You’ll answer questions, resolve concerns, and ensure early-stage interactions reflect Upstart’s mission of delivering an effortless credit experience. You’ll also handle escalations from across the operation, requiring empathy, professionalism, and sound judgment.

Requirements

1–2 years of experience in customer service, call center, or borrower support within a financial services or fintech environment.
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly and professionally.
Proven ability to handle sensitive or escalated customer conversations with empathy and professionalism.
Comfortable navigating multiple systems and tools simultaneously (e.g., Salesforce, Vesta, telephony and chat platforms).
Ability to work standard hours (9 AM – 5:30 PM EST) and occasional weekends as business needs evolve.
Reside within 60 miles of Columbus, OH, and able to work from the office at least two days per week.

Nice To Haves

Experience in mortgage, home equity, or consumer lending operations.
Familiarity with front-line customer support tools and knowledge management platforms.
Experience in early-stage applicant engagement or lead nurturing.
Comfort working in high-growth, change-oriented environments where feedback loops are fast and frequent

Responsibilities

Answer inbound calls from prospective borrowers and applicants whose files have not yet been assigned to a processing pod, guiding them through next steps and answering product questions.
Respond to inbound email inquiries and manage real-time chat support (in future-state implementation), providing accurate, helpful, and timely information.
Take ownership of escalation calls from applicants requesting a supervisor, resolving concerns professionally while adhering to compliance and policy guidelines.
Support funnel conversion by proactively identifying and addressing common applicant questions or pain points.
Maintain accurate notes of all borrower interactions in tools such as Salesforce and Vesta to ensure visibility and alignment across teams.
Identify opportunities to improve CX processes, documentation, or messaging based on recurring feedback or support trends.
Collaborate with Pods, Training, and Quality teams to ensure consistency across all borrower touch points.

Benefits

Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
Generous 401(k) plan with Upstart matching $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 per year
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees
Affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage, with multiple plan options - Upstart covers 90% to 100% of the cost depending on the plans you choose
Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans
Income protection benefits, including company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, and Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage, with options to purchase supplemental coverage
Paid time off, sick and safe time, and company holidays
Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments
Family-centered benefits through Carrot and Cleo, supporting fertility, parenthood, and caregiving
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
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 and onsites, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our four offices, located in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!).