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 drive strategic initiatives, planning, and execution within one of Upwork’s key business units. In this role, you’ll work closely with senior leadership to optimize operations, ensure cross-functional alignment, and support high-quality decision-making through analytics and strategic planning. You will manage core operational processes, improve efficiency, track priorities, and drive critical business initiatives — ultimately helping scale and evolve how we operate. This is an exciting opportunity to shape an essential function within Upwork and make a meaningful impact on our platform.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic planning and execution by aligning business unit goals with company-wide priorities.

• Support leadership in developing and tracking goals, initiatives, and key performance indicators.

• Manage core business operations processes, including headcount planning, budgeting, vendor management, and resource allocation in partnership with Finance and other teams.

• Coordinate across product, finance, operations, and other stakeholders to drive initiatives forward and ensure clarity of ownership and deliverables.

• Optimize communication and reporting, ensuring initiatives are clearly articulated in Operating Plans, QBRs, and leadership updates.

• Improve organizational efficiency by implementing best practices that streamline workflows and strengthen cross-functional collaboration.

• Use data and analytics to assess business performance, track operational progress, and guide strategic decisions.

What it takes to catch our eye

• 7+ years of experience in business operations, strategy, or program management—ideally within a marketplace, platform, or tech-driven environment; experience in payments or fintech is a plus but not required.

• Proven ability to drive initiatives in cross-functional settings and execute against evolving priorities.

• Strong analytical skills and comfort using data to inform decision-making and performance tracking.

• Skilled at managing multiple projects and driving operational efficiency in a dynamic environment.

• Exceptional communicator with experience presenting insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

• A continuous improvement mindset with a passion for scaling effective processes and solutions.

• Familiarity with headcount planning, budgeting, and building business cases 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.