About this role.
Upstart seeks a Compliance Risk & Controls Manager for its unsecured line of credit product. This first line of defense role involves embedding with Product and Engineering to ensure regulatory compliance. The manager will lead compliance workstreams, develop audit-ready documentation, and foster a culture of ownership. The ideal candidate excels at translating regulatory requirements into practical solutions and collaborating cross-functionally. This role offers a competitive salary and the flexibility of a digital-first work environment.
Role DNA
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Job Complexity
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Core skills
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Cover letter sample
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the Compliance Risk & Controls Manager position at Upstart. With a strong background in regulatory compliance within the fintech industry, I have successfully led cross-functional teams to implement compliant product solutions. My experience includes developing controls, managing disclosures, and ensuring readiness for regulatory examinations.
At my previous role, I spearheaded compliance initiatives for a consumer lending product, collaborating with Product, Engineering, and Legal teams. I take pride in translating complex regulatory requirements into practical, scalable processes that support business growth while mitigating risk. Upstart's mission to reduce the cost of borrowing resonates with my passion for accessible credit.
I am eager to bring my expertise in compliance risk management to Upstart and contribute to the responsible scaling of its unsecured line of credit product. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Sample interview questions
I have 5+ years of experience ensuring compliance with regulations such as TILA, ECOA, and FCRA. At my last job, I led the implementation of compliance controls for a new credit product, working closely with legal and product teams.
I start by thoroughly understanding the regulation, then collaborate with product managers and engineers to assess impact. I propose solutions that meet compliance while minimizing friction for customers, often using workshops to align on implementation.
I led a project to update customer disclosures for a regulatory change. I coordinated with legal, marketing, and IT, set milestones, and conducted testing. The project was completed on time with zero compliance issues.
I maintain a central repository for all compliance documents, use version control, and conduct regular reviews. I also implement automated checks where possible and ensure that controls are tested periodically.
I subscribe to regulatory updates, attend industry webinars, and participate in professional groups. I also have a system to assess new regulations for impact and prioritize changes in our compliance roadmap.
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 Product Compliance Risk team partners closely with Product, Engineering, Legal, and Risk to build compliance into every stage of the product lifecycle. The team helps deliver innovative lending products while ensuring they meet regulatory requirements and provide a positive customer experience. This role will focus on Upstart’s unsecured line of credit product, helping establish the compliance framework that enables the product to scale responsibly.
As the Compliance Risk & Controls Manager, Unsecured Line at Upstart, you will lead key compliance workstreams supporting our unsecured line of credit product, partnering cross-functionally to translate regulatory requirements into practical product and operational solutions. This is a First Line of Defense (1LOD) role, embedded within and partnering closely with the Product and Engineering business lines — distinct from Upstart’s Second Line of Defense (2LOD) Compliance/Risk oversight functions. You’ll help build scalable compliance processes, documentation, and controls that support product launches, operational readiness, and ongoing regulatory compliance while serving as a trusted partner to Product, Engineering, Legal, and Risk.
How you’ll make an impact
- Lead end-to-end compliance workstreams supporting Upstart’s unsecured line of credit product, including customer disclosures, periodic statements, change-in-terms communications, error resolution requirements, and credit reporting readiness.
- Partner closely with Product, Engineering, Legal, and Risk teams to interpret regulatory requirements and incorporate compliant, customer-focused solutions into product design and implementation.
- Develop and maintain clear, audit-ready documentation, controls, and governance processes that support internal reviews, partner oversight, and regulatory examinations.
- Drive cross-functional compliance initiatives from planning through implementation, coordinating stakeholders and ensuring business readiness for product launches and enhancements.
- Monitor compliance-related risks, identify opportunities to strengthen processes and controls, and recommend practical solutions that enable the business to scale responsibly.
- Foster a culture of ownership and collaboration by sharing compliance expertise, supporting cross-functional decision-making, and helping teams navigate regulatory considerations with confidence.
Minimum Qualifications
- 5+ years of product compliance, or risk experience supporting unsecured consumer lending products
- Experience interpreting and applying consumer lending regulations, including FCRA/Regulation V and credit furnishing requirements
- Experience leading compliance workstreams supporting product launches or major product enhancements
- Experience partnering cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, Legal, and Risk teams
- Experience developing audit-ready documentation, controls, and compliance processes
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of Regulation Z (TILA), Regulation E, and regulations governing open-end consumer credit
- Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical guidance for product and engineering teams
- Experience supporting bank partnership or bank-readiness programs
- Skills in building scalable compliance documentation and governance frameworks
- Experience using collaboration and workflow management tools such as Confluence and Jira
- Direct, hands-on experience working on unsecured lending products themselves (lines of credit) — not just familiarity with the regulations that govern them
- Strong analytical rigor and attention to detail — reasons through ambiguous regulatory questions rather than defaulting to a checklist, especially under bank-readiness deadline pressure
- Self-starter who builds structure and process without waiting to be told what’s missing, with fluency in GenAI tools to accelerate documentation and research
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.
#LI-REMOTE
#LI-NotApplicable
#LI-MidSenior
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 $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!)
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 candidate_accommodations@upstart.com
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