Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Role Description

As the Senior HR Business Partner at Upstart, you will partner closely with leaders to support day-to-day business and organizational priorities across Operations and Risk teams. From frontline manager coaching and performance management to employee relations and team effectiveness, you will provide hands-on support that helps leaders navigate people-related decisions with confidence. You will partner closely with the Lead HRBP and business leaders to drive strong team performance and a consistent employee experience as these organizations continue to scale.

As a member of our People org, you will contribute to company-wide People programs and initiatives, including performance management, employee engagement, and other core processes that support a high-performing and inclusive workplace.

How you’ll make an impact

• Coach and advisor: Advise and consult with managers and leaders as they continue to scale. From org design to talent development, act as a trusted thought partner and coach.
• Performance management: Partner with managers to identify high performers and help them grow with Upstart; and to work through low performance management to maintain our high performance bar.
• Employee relations: Oversee and resolve employee relations issues of varying complexity by conducting thorough and objective investigations, interpreting and applying Upstart policy and making recommendations.
• Manager support: Build relationships with managers to ensure their confidence and trust in the HR team; offer practical guidance and tools to improve manager effectiveness.
• Project and program support: Support core HR programs, processes and initiatives such as performance cycles and employee engagement surveys.
• Solve problems: Be an adaptable problem solver, liaising between the HRBP team and the business to achieve the best outcomes for the organization. Provide thoughtful and appropriate counsel, striking a balance between long and short term business needs.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or equivalent professional experience
• 6-10+ years of Human Resources experience (HRBP, HR generalist, employee relations)

Requirements

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust across a range of leaders and employees
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, complex interpersonal dynamics, and change with sound judgment
• Demonstrated judgment in identifying when to escalate issues and how to partner effectively to resolve them
• High emotional intelligence and ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with professionalism
• Experience supporting performance management processes and employee relations matters
• Familiarity with people analytics and HRIS systems, with the ability to use data to inform decisions
• Track record of building effective relationships across teams and levels to drive business outcomes
• Strong bias for action, with a high level of ownership, integrity, and accountability

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 (opening Summer 2026!)