[Hiring] Vice President, Strategic Partnerships @Upgrade

Role Description

We are looking for a strategic, commercially driven leader to join Upgrade as our VP, Strategic Partnerships, playing a pivotal role in expanding our personal lending business through high-impact enterprise partnerships.

• Lead the development of strategic white-label partnerships with financial institutions, fintechs, and major consumer-facing brands.
• Identify and engage high-value partners, building relationships with senior decision-makers.
• Independently structure and negotiate complex commercial agreements.
• Evaluate opportunities that drive meaningful revenue growth and long-term profitability for Upgrade's personal lending business.
• Work closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams across Finance, Product, Engineering, Legal, Compliance, and Risk.
• Shape partnership strategies, navigate technical integrations, and bring new opportunities to market.
• Build executive relationships, negotiate strategic deals, and turn commercial opportunities into scalable businesses.
• Significant autonomy to shape a growing partnership channel.
• Collaborate directly with senior leadership and contribute to emerging AI-driven products and initiatives.
• This is a remote-flexible position for candidates based in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, or Delaware, requiring occasional travel for partner meetings.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in strategic partnerships, business development, or a related deal-making role.
• Track record of sourcing and closing complex commercial agreements.
• Experience in fintech, consumer lending, or financial services.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a deal from first outreach through signed contract and live launch.
• Strong cross-functional leadership: proven ability to align Legal, Compliance, Risk, Product, and Engineering around a partner launch timeline.
• Excellent negotiation and executive presence; comfortable representing Upgrade to large enterprise partner leadership.

Requirements

• Direct experience structuring white-label or embedded finance partnerships (co-branded cards, private-label lending, BaaS-style programs).
• An existing network of relationships at financial services companies or consumer-facing brands that could become Upgrade partners.
• Experience at a high-growth fintech or consumer lending company.

Benefits

• Competitive salary & stock option plan.
• Paid coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible PTO.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid parental leave.
• Health & wellness initiatives.

Company Description

Upgrade helps customers move in the right direction with affordable and responsible financial products. Since 2017, we’ve helped over 7.5 million customers access over $42 billion in consumer credit. We’re backed by some of the most prominent technology investors and were most recently valued at $7.3B.

We’re consistently recognized for our collaborative and inclusive culture. Most recently, we were named one of the World’s Top Fintech Companies by CNBC, Best Places to Work by Built In, Best Places to Work by the San Francisco Business Times, America’s Greatest Workplaces by Newsweek, Best Startup Employer by Forbes, and Healthiest Employers by Phoenix Business Journal.

We’re looking for new team members who get excited about designing and delivering new and better products. Come join us and help build a better financial future for millions of people.