Director, Strategic Finance

Upstart•San Mateo, CA

1d•Remote

About The Position

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; Austin, Texas; and New York City, NY (opening Summer 2026). 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 Role: Upstart is building innovative products that expand access to credit. The Finance team plays a critical role in shaping business decisions, aligning strategy with execution, and ensuring financial discipline as products scale. This Director, Strategic Finance will serve as the primary day-to-day finance and strategy partner to the Small Dollar Loan leadership team, providing analytical insight, financial rigor, and cross-functional coordination as the business evolves. The role spans strategic planning, business analytics, financial performance management, and execution of high-impact initiatives. You will operate at the center of decision-making—developing business cases, diagnosing performance trends, and helping translate strategy into action across Product, Engineering, Operations, Capital Markets, Analytics, and Go-To-Market teams.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in Strategic Finance, FP&A, Corporate Finance, Business Operations, or a similar analytical role
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build and interpret complex financial and operational models
Advanced proficiency in Excel and/or Google Sheets; experience with SQL and BI tools such as Looker, Tableau, or Mode
Proven track record of partnering cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, Operations, and GTM teams
Experience building business cases, evaluating investments, and managing performance through KPIs
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment
Comfort working in ambiguous, evolving environments and translating strategy into execution

Nice To Haves

Background in fintech, lending, consumer finance, subscription, or technology-enabled marketplaces
Experience with forecasting, cohort-based economics, unit economics, or credit-driven business models.
MBA or advanced degree in Finance, Economics, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership & Business Leadership Serve as the primary finance and strategy partner to SDL business leaders, ensuring alignment between strategy, financial outcomes, and execution
Act as a connective tissue across Product, Engineering, Operations, Analytics, Capital Markets, and GTM teams to drive clarity and accountability
Facilitate structured prioritization and trade-off discussions to focus resources on the highest-impact initiatives
Strategy Development & Financial Analysis Identify, evaluate, and size strategic opportunities, growth initiatives, and investment decisions
Build rigorous business cases, financial models, and scenario analyses to support go/no-go decisions
Partner with cross-functional teams to scope initiatives, align stakeholders, and drive recommendations through execution
Business Performance Management & Insights Own ongoing financial and operational performance tracking for the SDL business
Monitor key metrics, identify emerging trends or risks, and lead root-cause analyses when performance deviates from expectations
Translate complex data into clear insights and actionable recommendations for senior leadership
Financial Planning & Operational Rigor Support short- and long-term financial planning, forecasting, and budget management for the SDL business
Partner with FP&A and Accounting to ensure accurate forecasting, reporting, and transparency
Improve reporting, tooling, and analytical infrastructure to support scalable decision-making

Benefits

Competitive Compensation (base + bonus & equity)
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart
401(k) with 100% company match up to $4,500 and immediate vesting and after-tax savings
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Life and disability insurance
Generous holiday, vacation, sick and safety leave
Supportive parental, family care, and military leave programs
Annual wellness, technology & ergonomic reimbursement programs
Social activities including team events and onsites, all-company updates, employee resource groups (ERGs), and other interest groups such as book clubs, fitness, investing, and volunteering
Catered lunches + snacks & drinks when working in offices