[Hiring] Senior Manager, Whole Loan Trading & First-Line Model Governance @Upstart

Role Description

As the Senior Manager, Whole Loan Trading & First-Line Model Governance at Upstart, you will own this function end-to-end, reporting directly to the Head of Secured Lending. You will lead a small team of analysts and partner closely with various departments to establish the methodology, monitoring cadence, governance materials, and reporting routines that keep Upstart’s secured lending portfolio within risk appetite and exam-ready.

• Lead the secured lending asset quality and loan salability function across home equity line of credit, auto direct, and auto indirect dealer channels.
• Set the review methodology, operating cadence, reporting standards, and escalation routines for a small team of asset quality analysts.
• Monitor portfolio-level salability risk across secured lending channels.
• Track eligibility adherence trends, defect patterns, collateral documentation quality, and exception concentrations.
• Escalate repurchase and put-back risk to Capital Markets and bank partners before they affect loan sale execution or partner commitments.
• Monitor asset quality and portfolio performance indicators tied to salability.
• Evaluate origination and channel quality across secured lending programs.
• Own first-line model implementation and performance oversight for secured lending models.
• Translate loan review findings, portfolio trends, and model performance signals into action.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in business-line credit risk, loan quality, asset-backed or secured lending operations, or first-line model governance.
• Experience with loan-level quality review, loan salability oversight, and collateral documentation review in a regulated lending environment.
• Experience monitoring portfolio performance and asset quality indicators across multiple origination channels.
• Experience with first-line model oversight and production model monitoring.
• Experience partnering with Capital Markets, investors, bank partners, or funding teams.
• Experience leading analysts and managing a review function.

Requirements

• Familiarity with auto indirect or dealer channel lending dynamics.
• Knowledge of secured lending and secondary-market quality expectations.
• Knowledge of consumer lending and fair lending requirements relevant to secured products.
• Ability to evaluate production model execution and performance trends.
• Skilled in producing exam-ready policy documents and governance materials.
• Risk or compliance certification, such as Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager or Financial Risk Manager.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants.
• Retirement benefits, including a 401(k) with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options.
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources.
• Health Savings Account contributions for eligible plans.
• Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage.
• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays.
• Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving needs.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support.
• Financial wellness resources, including access to financial planning tools.
• Annual wellness allowance to support personal development.
• Connection and community through team events and employee resource groups.
• Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens.