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 1800 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:
As Upstart’s Brand & Creative Team we shape how the brand comes to life across every touchpoint — defining our voice personality and emotional connection with borrowers and partners. We sit within Growth designing and creating for impact across all channels from the digital surfaces where consumers first discover us to the campaigns and brand systems that make Upstart trusted and remembered.
As Creative Director Brand at Upstart you’ll be a senior creative leader for our brand's most visible owned channels including: organic social media our website and our brand design systems — while also driving creative vision for brand campaigns. You'll set the creative bar lead the team and champion the work that builds lasting brand love at scale.
This role is ideal for a player / coach — someone equally comfortable guiding a team and doing the work required to get something off the ground. This is an impactful role with the opportunity to be a key driver in making Upstart a beloved brand cultural driver and household name.
How you’ll make an impact
- Lead creative strategy and execution across Upstart's owned brand channels: organic social our website and brand design systems.
- Grow inspire and develop a multi-disciplinary creative team across brand disciplines—setting a high creative standard delivering direct and actionable feedback and building the kind of team culture where talented people come to do their best work.
- Drive brand campaign creative from concept to delivery including leading both internal development and directing agency partners across TV OOH digital and emerging media
- Actively evolve how Upstart uses AI tools to accelerate creative output without sacrificing craft
- Partner closely with Marketing Product and senior leadership to align creative strategy with business goals — showing up as a trusted creative thought partner across the organization not just a creative executor.
Minimum Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in brand creative design or creative direction with at least 4+ years leading and managing multi-disciplinary creative teams.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing brand campaign development end-to-end across channels including TV OOH and digital with both internal teams and external agency partners.
- Portfolio showcasing excellence in brand identity work visual design systems and effective metrics-driving multi-channel campaign creative.
- Proven track record of developing creative talent and building team culture across disciplines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Deep knowledge of organic social content strategy and platform-native creative across Instagram TikTok LinkedIn and emerging channels.
- Familiarity with website design + content strategy and a track record of partnering with web and UX teams to deliver quality digital experiences.
- Ability to translate brand strategy into scalable design systems and guidelines adopted org-wide.
- Experience at a consumer-facing tech brand or other regulated industry brand.
- Advanced fluency with AI-assisted creative tools and a demonstrated approach to using emerging technologies as a force-multiplier for creative quality and output.
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 but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ 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).
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
- 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 $15000 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!)
For roles based in Canada please note that we are not currently able to hire in Quebec.
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 [email protected]
https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy
Skills Required
- 10+ years of experience in brand creative design or creative direction
- 4+ years leading and managing multi-disciplinary creative teams
- Experience overseeing brand campaigns across channels including TV and digital
- Portfolio showcasing excellence in brand identity and multi-channel campaigns
- Proven track record of developing creative talent
What the Team is Saying
What We Do
Upstart is the leading AI lending marketplace connecting millions of consumers to more than 100 banks and credit unions that leverage Upstart’s AI models and cloud applications to deliver superior credit products. With Upstart's AI lenders can approve more borrowers at lower rates across races ages and genders while delivering the exceptional digital-first experience customers demand. More than 80% of borrowers are approved instantly with zero documentation to upload. Founded in 2012 Upstart’s platform includes personal loans automotive retail and refinance loans home equity lines of credit and small-dollar “relief” loans. If you are energized by the impact you think you could make at Upstart we'd love to hear from you!
Why Work With Us
Connection to our mission creates a special environment where people feel passionately about the impact they make in the world. Upstart is fast-paced and we encourage ownership at all levels of the organization. As a result culture at Upstart is driven by Upstarters. Upstarters are proactive talented multi-dimensional and collaborative.
Gallery
Upstart Offices
Remote Workspace
Employees work remotely.
Upstart has a digital-first model enabling most Upstarters can live and work anywhere in the U.S. We also offer in-person options from our office locations in San Mateo California; Columbus Ohio; Austin Texas; and New York City NY.
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Date Posted
05/24/2026
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