Director of Capital Markets, Home Lending

About Upstart

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 live and work anywhere in the United States. However, we also have offices in San Mateo, California; Columbus, Ohio; and Austin, Texas.

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!

As the Director, Capital Markets - Home Lending, you will play a critical role in securing and optimizing loan funding sources and structures to drive the success of our Home Lending business.  With our first venture into Home Lending being a HELOC product, you will collaborate closely with Product and Finance teams to develop innovative, scalable and profitable funding solutions that enhance market competitiveness while expanding consumer access to credit.  

In this role, you will design and execute capital markets strategies, ensuring seamless and cost-effective access to capital through institutional investors, warehouse lenders, and key market participants. Your expertise in structured finance and relationship management will be instrumental in securing diverse funding channels, optimizing liquidity, and driving sustainable growth in our Home Lending business.

Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Remote; San Mateo, CA; NYC, NY

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; the Capital Markets team meets in person on a monthly/quarterly cadence at one of our offices in San Mateo CA, Columbus OH, or New York NY

How you’ll make an impact:

• Expand Funding Capabilities & Develop Innovative Capital Strategies:  Drive the expansion and diversification of loan funding sources to support scalable HELOC originations, ensuring cost-efficient and flexible access to capital.  Strategically secure, structure and optimize funding mechanisms, leveraging a mix of forward flow whole loan sales and other structured finance solutions.  Develop and implement innovative capital strategies that enhance liquidity, lower funding costs and deliver market yields while ensuring alignment with market dynamics. 
• Strengthen Investor & Lender Relationships: Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with institutional investors, warehouse lenders, and key market participants to optimize funding terms and enhance market liquidity in Upstart HELOC loans.   Advocate for and broaden market acceptance of AI-driven underwriting and verification models, demonstrating their ability to enhance risk assessment, improve credit decisioning and drive superior loan performance.  Leverage data-driven insights to educate stakeholders, foster confidence in AI-based risk assessments  and expand adoption across diverse capital sources.  
• Mitigate Risk & Ensure Compliance: Oversee capital markets transactions while ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, investor guidelines, and risk management frameworks

What we’re looking for: 

• Minimum Requirements:
  • 10+ years of experience in capital markets, structured finance or investment banking within the residential mortgage or HELOC space, with a deep understanding of broad loan funding structures
  • A strong track record of driving funding strategies and executing complex transactions.  Ability to develop and execute funding strategies in dynamic market conditions.
  • Exceptional relationship management skills with a history of cultivating and maintaining strategic partnerships with institutional investors, warehouse lenders and other key market participants.  
  • Skilled negotiator with a strong track record of securing favorable funding terms, optimizing deal structure.  Ability to collaboratively engage and influence internal cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Comprehensive business acumen of the Home Lending business and knowledge of regulatory and compliance frameworks affecting loan funding
  • Experience working at a fintech and/or in a fast-paced high growth environment with a proven ability to adapt and execute within evolving internal strategy and external market dynamics
• Preferred qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field (MBA preferred)
  • Familiarity with AI-driven underwriting / verification models and technology-driven lending platforms is a plus

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

#LI-REMOTE

#LI-Director 

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).

Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to ensuring that underrepresented classes receive better access to affordable credit, and are just as committed to embracing diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices. We celebrate all cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and know that we can only become better together. 

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

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