Principal, Business Operations, Payments

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace. We serve everyone from one-person startups to large, Fortune 100 enterprises with a powerful, trust-driven platform that enables companies and talent to work together in new ways that unlock their potential.

Last year, more than $3.8 billion of work was done through Upwork by skilled professionals who are gaining more control by finding work they are passionate about and innovating their careers.

We are looking for a Principal of Business Operations to help drive strategic initiatives, planning, and execution within the Payments organization. In this role, you will work closely with Payments leadership to optimize operations, ensure cross-functional alignment, and support decision-making through analytics and strategic planning. You will help scale our Payments business unit, manage key operational processes, and contribute to its growth by improving efficiency, tracking priorities, and driving key business initiatives. This is an exciting opportunity to shape an essential function within Upwork and make a significant impact on how talent and clients transact on our platform.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic planning and execution by ensuring alignment between business unit objectives and broader company priorities.
• Support Payments leadership in developing and tracking goals, initiatives, and key performance indicators.
• Manage business operations processes, including headcount planning, budgeting, vendor management, and resource allocation in partnership with Finance and leadership.
• Ensure cross-functional coordination by working with product, finance, operations, and other teams to drive initiatives forward and track deliverables.
• Optimize communication and reporting, ensuring Payments initiatives are well-represented in Operating Plans, Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), and leadership updates.
• Improve organizational efficiency by identifying and implementing best practices to streamline processes and improve collaboration.
• Leverage data and analytics to measure business performance, track operational success, and inform strategic decision-making.

What it takes to catch our eye

• 7+ years of experience in business operations, strategy, or program management, preferably in payments, fintech, or a marketplace environment.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to drive initiatives and execute on priorities.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in data-driven decision-making and performance tracking.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, track deliverables, and ensure operational efficiency.
• Exceptional communication skills, with experience working with senior stakeholders and presenting insights to leadership.
• A problem-solving mindset, with a focus on continuous improvement and scaling operations.
• Familiarity with budgeting, headcount planning, and business case development is a plus.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape talent solutions for how the world works today. We are a remote-first organization working together to create exciting remote work opportunities for a global community of professionals. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 states in the United States.

At the core of our vibrant culture are shared values that form the foundation of our organization. These values revolve around trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence. Our overarching mission is to create economic opportunities so that people have better lives. We foster an environment where individuals are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, nurturing personal and professional growth through development opportunities, mentorship programs, and participation in Upwork Belonging Communities.

We take pride in providing exceptional benefits to our employees. These include comprehensive medical insurance coverage for both you and your family, unlimited paid time off, a 401(k) plan with matching contributions, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. To explore these benefits in detail, as well as gain insights into our company values, working principles, and the overall employee experience, we invite you to visit our Life at Upwork page.

Check out our Careers page to learn more about the employee experience.

Upwork is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we never discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Additionally, a criminal background check may be run on a candidate after a conditional offer of employment is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.