Manager, People Programs

Upstart

15h•$138,000 - $200,000•Remote

About The Position

Upstart is a leading AI lending marketplace that partners with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology. The company is digital-first, offering flexibility for employees to work remotely while fostering in-person connection through team events. Upstart is looking for individuals energized by tackling meaningful problems, innovating with purpose, and motivated by work that matters. The Communications, Culture & Development team at Upstart focuses on helping employees understand the company's direction, feel connected to its purpose, and build necessary capabilities. This team partners across the People Team and the business to create effective employee experiences. The People Programs Manager will lead end-to-end program management for key employee programs such as performance review cycles and AI Acceleration initiatives. This role requires a strong operator who can manage complex, cross-functional initiatives, translate program direction into actionable plans, and ensure high-quality execution.

Requirements

6+ years of experience in People or HR programs, employee experience, enterprise program management, organizational change, internal communications, or a related field.
Experience leading complex, cross-functional programs with multiple workstreams, dependencies, milestones, and stakeholders.
Experience managing at least one enterprise People program, such as performance management, employee listening, AI or technology adoption, change management, or another company-wide employee initiative.
Demonstrated ability to translate broad direction into integrated workplans, clear ownership, decision points, and coordinated execution.
Experience using quantitative and qualitative data to measure program effectiveness and inform practical improvements.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver clear, concise, executive-ready updates and recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to influence without formal authority and create accountability across teams, functions, and levels.
A hands-on working style and willingness to own both strategic coordination and detailed final-mile execution.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting performance review cycles, employee listening or engagement surveys, AI adoption, or enterprise change initiatives.
Experience supporting employee adoption or behavior change related to AI, technology, or new ways of working.
Ability to translate employee feedback, program data, and lessons learned into clear recommendations and practical improvements.
Familiarity with employee survey platforms, performance management systems, project-management tools, or modern knowledge and collaboration platforms.
Demonstrated fluency with GenAI tools and an interest in helping organizations adopt AI thoughtfully and effectively.
Experience working in a remote-first, technology, fintech, rapidly evolving, or regulated environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning and delivery of Upstart’s mid-year and year-end performance review cycles, coordinating timelines, systems readiness, communications, stakeholder inputs, launch activities, and cross-functional dependencies.
Manage the Pulse program in partnership with People Analytics, HRBPs, and senior leaders, coordinating survey readiness, launch, response tracking, results distribution, action-planning logistics, and follow-through.
Serve as the central program manager for AI Acceleration, translating executive direction into coordinated workstreams, milestones, decision points, and measurable progress.
Partner across Internal Communications, Learning and Development, Technology, and the broader People Team to support employee-facing AI adoption, communications, enablement, experimentation, and change management.
Create integrated program plans and operating rhythms that establish clear ownership, surface dependencies and risks, support timely decisions, and keep cross-functional partners moving toward shared outcomes.
Continuously improve the systems, playbooks, and processes behind each program, using employee feedback, program data, and lessons learned to make future cycles more coordinated, measurable, and effective.
Support additional high-priority, nontechnical People programs as capacity and business needs allow.

Benefits

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