HR Operations Onboarding Specialist (contract)

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: The HR Operations team is the engine behind the extraordinary—designing seamless systems and experiences that make the complex feel effortless and enable Upstarters to do great work. We build the infrastructure that powers onboarding, policy management, compliance, and more, ensuring every Upstarter can thrive across their career journey. By creating scalable tools, processes, and governance—and partnering with People and business stakeholders—we turn complexity into clarity and create the foundation for employees to succeed. As the HR Operations Onboarding Specialist at Upstart, you will coordinate onboarding activities, manage data workflows across internal People, Recruitment, and IT systems, and ensure compliance with background and I-9 requirements. You’ll serve as a go-to partner for internal teams and new hires, driving a seamless and delightful day 1 experience for new employees. How you’ll make an impact Operate with trust integrity: You treat sensitive information with care, knowing that trust is the foundation of great working relationships. Whether you're reviewing background checks, processing new hire transactions in Workday, or ensuring I-9s are completed compliantly, you handle data with professionalism, discretion, and a deep sense of responsibility. Communicate to connect: You know how to tailor your message to meet your audience—whether it’s a quick Slack to a teammate or a clear, timely email to a new hire or hiring manager. You ensure candidates, managers, the People team, and cross-functional partners are aligned and informed every step of the way. Own the outcome: You take initiative, move fast, and follow through. You coordinate laptop shipments, and address confirmations without missing a beat. If issues arise—whether it’s a data discrepancy across systems or a last-minute change to start dates—you stay steady, find a solution, and keep things moving forward. Champion the employee experience: You show up with empathy, responsiveness, and a service mindset. You field onboarding questions from candidates, managers, and recruiters—making each interaction an opportunity to build trust and confidence in our process. You know that a smooth start sets the tone for the entire employee journey. Sweat the details, deliver with pride: You have a sharp eye and a high bar for quality. You monitor data across multiple systems (HRIS, ATS ... (truncated, view full listing at source)