Logo for Upstart

Director of Corporate Communications

Role overview

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, Marketing, Business, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
  • 10+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, executive communications, or a related field
  • 5+ years of experience developing corporate messaging and media relations strategies for a public company, high-growth technology company, fintech, or other regulated industry
  • Experience building executive visibility programs and supporting senior leaders through media interviews, speaking engagements, and sensitive communications moments

Responsibilities

  • Define and evolve Upstart's corporate narrative, ensuring it is grounded in company performance, industry dynamics, and the broader economic landscape
  • Develop and execute communications programs that increase Upstart's visibility across business, financial, technology, and mainstream media
  • Build and elevate external profiles of Upstart executives through media strategy, thought leadership platforms, speaking opportunities, and contributed content
  • Counsel senior leaders on messaging, positioning, media engagement, and high-stakes communications moments with sound judgment and consistency

About the company

Upstart logo

Upstart

Consumer & Commercial Lending

Upstart is a 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 two-thirds of Upstart loans are approved instantly and are fully automated. Upstart is a digital-first company, which means that most Upstarters can live and work anywhere in the U.S. We also have offices in San Mateo, CA and Columbus, OH. 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!

Company details

Company typeLarge
IndustryConsumer & Commercial Lending
Company size1001 - 5000

Your match analysis

See how your profile stacks up against this role.

We compared the job requirements to your profile to show where you're strong and where you fall short.

Job description

About Upstart

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

Upstart’s Communications team shapes how our story shows up in the market, with a focus on building trust, clarity, and relevance across external audiences. The team partners closely with leaders across the company to connect business performance, industry context, and innovation into a narrative that is timely, credible, and differentiated.

As the Director, Corporate Communications at Upstart, you will lead and partner on key aspects of our corporate communications strategy, with a focus on executive visibility, corporate messaging, media relations, and thought leadership. In this role, you will help position Upstart and its leaders at the center of important conversations shaping lending, AI, consumer finance, and the broader economy. You will operate across strategy and execution, partnering with senior leaders while driving proactive storytelling that builds credibility over time.

How you’ll make an impact

  • Define and evolve Upstart’s corporate narrative, ensuring it is grounded in company performance, industry dynamics, and the broader economic landscape.
  • Develop and execute communications programs that increase Upstart’s visibility across business, financial, technology, and mainstream media.
  • Build and elevate the external profiles of Upstart executives through media strategy, thought leadership platforms, speaking opportunities, and contributed content.
  • Counsel senior leaders on messaging, positioning, media engagement, and high-stakes communications moments with sound judgment and consistency.
  • Partner with Investor Relations, Legal, Marketing, Growth, and Internal Communications to align messaging across external touchpoints and audience moments.
  • Translate complex topics, including lending, credit, AI, regulation, and macroeconomic trends, into clear and compelling stories for external audiences.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, Marketing, Business, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 10+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, executive communications, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience developing corporate messaging and media relations strategies for a public company, high-growth technology company, fintech, or other regulated industry.
  • Experience building executive visibility programs and supporting senior leaders through media interviews, speaking engagements, and sensitive communications moments.
  • Experience partnering cross-functionally with functions such as Investor Relations, Legal, Marketing, and executive leadership to deliver coordinated external communications.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of the media landscape across business, financial, technology, and consumer outlets.
  • Ability to translate complex business, financial, and policy topics into clear, audience-centered messaging and thought leadership.
  • Experience identifying proactive storytelling opportunities tied to industry trends, macroeconomic developments, and the news cycle.
  • Skills in developing contributed content, messaging frameworks, and executive communications materials for senior leaders.
  • Experience using AI platforms and tools to improve communications workflows, insight generation, or team effectiveness.

 

Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote

Travel requirements As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S or Canada (outside of Quebec) but are expected to spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites and in-person meetings. The onsite cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.

At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package.  The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).

United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range
$195,800$271,000 USD

What you'll love

At Upstart, our benefits are designed to support your health, financial well-being, family, and personal growth. Here’s what you can expect:

  • 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!).

Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Just as we are dedicated to improving access to affordable credit for all, we are committed to inclusive and fair hiring practices.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email candidate_accommodations@upstart.com

https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy

Apply once. Then go straight to the hiring manager.

After you apply, unlock the direct contact details of the people who actually make the call. A quick follow-up makes you 5x more likely to land an interview.

MR

Marcus Rivera

Chief Revenue Officer

m.rivera@company.com
linkedin.com/in/marcusrivera
Unlocked after you apply
·

Communication Manager / Director Related jobs

Other jobs at Upstart

Premium

Reach out to the hiring manager directly.

Gain access to the contact details of the hiring managers who actually decide, and reach out to network with them directly. That, plus more when you upgrade:

  • Full match report with fit score and gaps
  • Career diagnostics on how recruiters read you
  • Curated company matches and warm intros
  • 48h early access to new roles

Cancel anytime.