Vendor Management Program Manager, Home Lending

Upstart•San Mateo, CA

48d•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 Team: Upstart’s Home Lending vertical is seeking a Vendor Management Program Manager to establish and run a new, centralized vendor management function. This role will be responsible for building the foundation for consistent vendor oversight, quality and performance tracking, risk control, and change management across our Home Lending operations and product teams. You will be the primary owner of vendor relationships and process, driving accountability, creating structure, and ensuring our external partners enable efficient, compliant, and scalable operations. As the Program Manager at Upstart, you think strategically and analytically, approach challenges with a solutions mindset, and excel at improving processes and workflows. You take full ownership of initiatives from concept to execution, operating independently while driving meaningful results. You also communicate clearly and build strong, collaborative relationships with both internal teams and external vendors.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience in an Operations Vendor Management position within a financial institution or fintech
Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
Proven track record of process improvements, problem solving and effective task prioritization
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in Home Lending vendor partnerships
Understanding of complex or securitized asset products
Experience establishing vendor governance processes or performance frameworks

Responsibilities

Design and manage the vendor management framework for Home Lending
Oversee vendor performance and governance by defining metrics, scorecards, and review cadences
Develop and lead robust quality control function to ensure process accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence
Create and deliver training programs that upskill internal teams on vendor processes and best practices
Identify and mitigate vendor risk related to cost, performance, and compliance
Partner across Product, Legal & Compliance, Finance and other teams to align vendor activities with business goals
Continuously improve vendor operations through data analysis and structured process enhancements

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