Director, Head of Risk Relationship Management

The Team

As the Head of Risk Relationship Management at Upstart, you will lead the teams that act as primary liaisons for external partners on all compliance and risk related matters, including Upstart's lending partners, capital markets partners, examiners, and auditors. 

With respect to lending partners and capital markets partners (existing and prospective), you will partner closely with leadership in Upstart’s Lending Partnerships and Capital Markets teams to ensure internal relationship owners and external partners understand the operation of Upstart’s compliance and risk programs. You will cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with senior compliance and risk partners at Upstart’s lending partners to manage communications about program changes as well as discussions related to any issues or inquiries related to lender programs, including overseeing a team dedicated to responding to external partner requests. You will also partner closely with leadership in Upstart’s Risk organization to ensure Upstart’s compliance and risk management programs are designed and operating in a way that meets the needs of these key strategic external business partners. 

With respect to examiners and auditors, you will oversee the team responsible for managing direct examinations of Upstart by its regulators as well as external audits of Upstart’s compliance and risk programs, and you will be responsible for ensuring productive relationships and accurate, timely, and successful completion of reviews.

Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Remote; San Mateo, CA; Austin, TX; Columbus, OH

Travel Requirements - This team has regular on-site collaboration sessions. If you need to travel to make these meetups, Upstart will cover all travel related expenses.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Lead the teams that manage compliance and risk related relationships with Upstart’s most critical external partners: lending partners, capital markets partners, examiners, and auditors. 
• Develop and maintain productive, collaborative relationships with senior leadership at Upstart’s lending partners (i.e., banks and credit unions) to manage compliance and risk related requests and inquiries and to educate on Upstart’s products, services, and risk/compliance programs. 
• Act as a close partner and trusted advisor to leaders in Upstart’s Lending Partnerships and Capital Markets teams to proactively predict, manage, and respond to external partners’ needs. 
• Partner with Upstart’s Risk organization leadership to maintain expertise in how the compliance and risk programs operate and to ensure internal compliance and risk programs are designed to meet the needs of lending partners. 
• Cultivate a deep understanding of Upstart’s products, services, and risk and compliance programs to accurately represent them to all external stakeholders. 
• Ensure audit/exam related requests and inquiries receive timely responses and are well managed to achieve successful audit/exam results. 
• Oversee and continuously seek to improve your teams’ request intake/management systems and processes to promote efficient and prioritized approach to responding to internal and external partner requests. 
• Provide leadership to a team of compliance and risk professionals responsible for relationships management and execution, including providing development opportunities and maintaining the knowledge and industry acumen necessary to support risk and compliance professionals at banks and credit unions. 
• Act as a culture leader for the risk organization, displaying Upstart’s core values and principles, while modeling behavior expected for all Upstarters.

What we’re looking for: 

• Minimum qualifications:
  • Bachelors degree or equivalent. 
  • 10+ years compliance and regulatory experience in consumer lending with proven knowledge of consumer protection regulation, working knowledge of applicable laws (including ECOA, FCRA, TILA, EFTA, GLBA, AML/OFAC, and related state laws), and strong understanding of the design and operation of an effective compliance management system. 
  • Prior experience effectively managing high-touch relationships with senior compliance and risk professionals at banks and credit unions.
• Preferred qualifications:
  • Excellent communication and relationship management skills, including the ability to foster trust and collaboration with senior partners, handle difficult conversations, and resolve conflicts related to risk and compliance related topics. 
  • Excellent judgment and decision-making capability when dealing with competing interests.
  • Superior organization and project management skills. 
  • Self-starter mentality with the ability to work well under pressure and a strong sense of personal  accountability and ownership.
  • Strong commitment to ethics and exercises good judgment.
  • Flexibility and willingness to learn and take on new evolving responsibilities and adapt to changing priorities and situations.

What you'll love: 

• 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

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