Director of Fair Lending

Upstart

7d•$189,000 - $334,200•Remote

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 Fair Lending team sits within Upstart’s broader Risk and Compliance organization and plays a critical role in enabling responsible innovation while expanding access to affordable credit. The team partners closely with Legal, Product, Machine Learning, and Compliance to assess, manage, and mitigate fair lending risk across Upstart’s products, features, and services. As the team lead, this role sets the strategic direction for the Fair Lending program, ensuring strong governance, consistency, and execution across initiatives. It leads and develops team members, drives cross-functional alignment, and serves as the primary point of accountability for maintaining a rigorous, resilient, and scalable fair lending framework.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in fair lending and consumer protection compliance (e.g., in compliance, legal, audit, or risk management) within financial services or fintech, including direct ownership of ECOA/FHA programs, testing, and remediation.
Deep, expert-level knowledge of fair lending and consumer protection laws and guidance (ECOA, FHA, FCRA, UDAAP, privacy) and how they apply across the credit lifecycle (marketing, underwriting, pricing, servicing, collections).
Hands-on experience designing and operationalizing second-line risk management or compliance programs, including risk identification, control design, testing and monitoring, training and enablement, and third-party oversight.
Proven track record leading enterprise-wide fair lending or consumer protection initiatives, influencing senior and cross-functional stakeholders, and engaging effectively with regulators, external auditors, or monitors on fair lending matters.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with modern predictive modeling techniques and associated governance, privacy, and fairness considerations
Comfort partnering with technical teams to operationalize compliance expectations in technology-enabled environments
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory and risk topics for both technical and non-technical audiences.
Experience implementing regulatory exam management tools, evidence repositories, or data-driven compliance workflows
Strong organizational judgment, attention to detail, and ability to operate effectively under regulatory scrutiny
JD, CRCM, or other advanced compliance or risk management certifications

Responsibilities

Own the fair lending risk assessment framework and provide independent challenge and guidance on control design across Upstart’s products, features, and services, identifying, evaluating, and escalating risks in close partnership with cross-functional stakeholders.
Define and execute a comprehensive fair lending risk assessment program that supports regulatory compliance and Upstart’s mission to expand access to credit responsibly.
Leverage data, analytics, and monitoring outputs to identify emerging risk themes and inform proactive mitigation strategies.
Provide subject matter expertise, guidance, and coverage across fair lending initiatives, supporting execution and progress in a fast-moving, highly regulated environment.
Lead cross-functional initiatives and working groups on a project basis, driving alignment, clarity, and risk-informed outcomes on complex and ambiguous issues.
Influence decision-making by maintaining deep, current knowledge of regulatory expectations and industry best practices, and by translating risk insights into clear, actionable guidance.
Communicate key fair lending risk themes, assessments, and insights to senior leadership and relevant governance forums, including the Fair Lending and board level committees.

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!).