Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at Upwork.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at Go-Lifted and follow on LinkedIn.

Search & Recommendations sits at the center of how work happens on Upwork. In this role, you will lead the engineering organization responsible for building the systems that connect millions of clients and freelancers across the globe. You will shape the future of Upwork’s matching platform by setting technical direction, scaling core systems, and delivering experiences that power everything from search and browse to conversational matching, agentic workflows, and emerging AI-native surfaces. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to guide a strong engineering team while partnering closely with product, machine learning, and executive leadership on a platform central to Upwork’s long-term growth.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the technical strategy for Upwork’s Search & Recommendations platform, aligning engineering investments with long-term business goals, marketplace performance, and platform scalability.
• Lead, grow, and develop a high-performing organization of software and machine learning engineers, fostering a culture of ownership, inclusion, high standards, and continuous learning.
• Deliver a unified Search & Recommendations platform that powers matching experiences across client and talent journeys, including search, recommendations, conversational experiences, and agentic workflows.
• Modernize search infrastructure by guiding the migration from legacy systems to scalable, maintainable, and high-performance architectures with clear APIs, observable pipelines, and strong experimentation support.
• Partner closely with product, ML, data science, design, and senior leadership to prioritize roadmaps, navigate tradeoffs, and translate complex platform decisions into measurable business outcomes.
• Champion engineering excellence through strong practices in system reliability, latency, data integrity, responsible AI development, and operational health across critical marketplace systems.
• Establish clear operating mechanisms, metrics, and team rhythms that improve execution, support long-range planning, and track platform health, engineering effectiveness, and business impact.

What It Takes to Catch Our Eye

• Significant experience leading engineering teams in high-scale environments, with a strong track record of delivering search, recommendations, ranking, or retrieval systems that drive meaningful business results.
• Deep technical fluency in distributed systems, data pipelines, search architecture, and modern machine learning infrastructure, with the ability to guide architecture decisions and mentor senior engineers and managers.
• Proven success leading integrated teams of software engineers and machine learning engineers while building strong partnerships across product, data science, and executive stakeholders.
• Ability to operate effectively at multiple altitudes, translating technical depth into strategic clarity and making sound decisions in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
• Strong applied understanding of AI-native engineering workflows, including using AI to accelerate design, experimentation, and delivery while ensuring technical accuracy, responsible use, and scalable team adoption.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to learn more about life at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer 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. The Company is committed to conducting an individualized assessment and giving all individuals a fair opportunity to provide relevant information or context before making any final employment decision.

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate candidates or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Candidates who prefer not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

To learn more about how Upwork processes and protects your personal information as part of the application process, please review our Global Job Applicant Privacy Notice.

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace that connects businesses with highly skilled, AI-enabled independent talent from across the globe. From entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 enterprises, companies rely on Upwork’s trusted platform and its mindful AI companion, Uma, to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With on-demand access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, Upwork enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and build agile teams for the age of AI and beyond.

Upwork’s platform has facilitated more than $25 billion in economic opportunity for talent around the world. Learn more at Upwork.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.

We’re looking for a Lead Product Designer to join our Growth & Monetization team, which is responsible for converting the value we deliver to customers into durable, scalable revenue through fees, ads, pricing, packaging, and promotions. 

As a UX Lead Product Designer in this space, you’ll design and optimize high-impact growth loops and monetization surfaces across our two-sided marketplace, focusing on acquisition through retention. You’ll partner closely with Product, Data Science, Engineering, Marketing, and Research to run experiments, ship measurable improvements, and evolve pricing and packaging experiences that are clear, fair, and motivating for customers.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end product design from identifying funnel opportunities and forming hypotheses through rapid concepting, launch, and iteration, delivering high-quality designs that balance speed, craft, and measurable impact.
• Collaborate deeply with cross-functional partners (PMs, engineers, researchers, data scientists, and other designers) to define problems, prioritize opportunities, and ship experiments that move key metrics.
• Use quantitative data, qualitative insight, and emerging technologies to identify friction and unlock opportunities across acquisition, activation, retention, and monetization flows, including prototyping and testing AI-powered or automated experiences where they accelerate outcomes.
• Drive experimentation and continuous improvement by running A/B tests, conducting qualitative user research, and using rapid prototyping to validate hypotheses and evolve the product based on real-world feedback.
• Design, test, and refine targeted experiences, from onboarding and upsell flows to pricing, incentives, and lifecycle touchpoints, ensuring clarity, trust, and strong value exchange for users.
• Create and socialize clear, lightweight design artifacts that support rapid decision-making, align stakeholders, and enable fast execution, prioritizing learning and outcomes over documentation for its own sake.
• Mentor others and contribute to design culture, sharing best practices, giving constructive feedback, and championing design quality across the team.

What it takes to catch our eye

• Proven experience designing and optimizing growth funnels (activation, conversion, retention, monetization), with clear examples of measurable impact.
• Strong experimentation toolkit (A/B testing, rapid iteration, metric selection, segmentation, and interpreting results), comfortable shipping in fast cycles. 
• A portfolio demonstrating growth-oriented, end-to-end product design with strong craft, showing how you used data and qualitative insight to drive iteration.
• Ability to design transparent, trustworthy value exchange in monetization experiences (pricing/packaging, paid visibility, incentives), balancing customer outcomes with business goals.
• Strong communicator and collaborator, able to influence product strategy through data-informed design decisions and close partnership with PM, Engineering, Analytics, and Marketing.
• Mastery of tools like Figma, plus experience with user testing and AI prototyping tools like v0, Figma Make, or similar.
• Comfort designing and experimenting with AI-powered experiences, including intelligent workflows, LLM-driven features, or collaborating cross-functionally with ML/AI teams.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to learn more about life at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer 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. The Company is committed to conducting an individualized assessment and giving all individuals a fair opportunity to provide relevant information or context before making any final employment decision.

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate candidates or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Candidates who prefer not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

To learn more about how Upwork processes and protects your personal information as part of the application process, please review our Global Job Applicant Privacy Notice.

Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at upwork.com and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at go-lifted.com and follow on LinkedIn.

Social is a critical growth lever for Upwork. This Senior Manager, Social Media role represents a step-change opportunity to define Upwork’s social vision, elevate how the brand participates in culture, and drive measurable discovery and engagement with new audiences. This role blends bold creative judgment with strong operational leadership, balancing social-first storytelling with performance accountability.

This is a people manager role overseeing a team of social media managers, contractors, and agency partners. You will own social strategy end to end, from annual planning through day-to-day execution, with accountability for brand impact, audience growth, and downstream business outcomes. You will stay close enough to the work to shape narratives, creative quality, and executive-ready communication, while enabling the team to operate with clarity, confidence, and sustainable pace.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve Upwork’s social media strategy, translating brand positioning and business priorities into clear annual and quarterly plans with defined success metrics.
• Define how social drives discovery, relevance, and credibility with non-followers by setting a strong point of view on platforms, formats, and cultural moments that matter most.
• Lead, coach, and develop an established team of social media managers and hybrid contributors, raising the bar on strategic thinking, creative standards, and operating rigor.
• Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and development plans, using consistent feedback loops to support growth and accountability.
• Build a test-and-learn culture where experimentation across content, formats, messaging, and distribution is expected, documented, and shared to improve outcomes over time.
• Ensure social content is creatively strong, culturally relevant, platform-native, and performance-minded, with clear measurement tied to reach, engagement, and downstream impact.
• Partner closely with Brand, Content, Communications, SEO, Influencer Marketing, and Paid Media teams to amplify social programs and maximize cross-channel impact.
  
  

What it takes to catch our eye

• 8+ years leading organic social at scale (brand or agency), owning always-on strategy and execution for at least one primary channel, with a proven ability to drive discovery, engagement, and cultural relevance through social-first work.
• Strong creative and editorial judgment with a performance mindset, translating insights, trends, and data into platform-native storytelling through testing, experimentation, and continuous optimization.
• Deep understanding of social platforms and formats, with particular strength on LinkedIn and YouTube, and experience speaking to both B2B and B2C audiences, including small business owners, independent professionals, or creators.
• Proven senior-level ownership and execution, able to drive work end to end with sound judgment, minimal oversight, and a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery.
• Exceptional written communication skills, moving fluidly between social copy, strategic narratives, and clear, executive-ready documentation.
• People leadership experience, including setting goals, coaching performance, developing managers, and building trust within established teams.
• Experience managing budgets and external partners (agencies, creators, vendors) with clear briefs, feedback, accountability, and thoughtful stewardship.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and using modern tools, including AI-powered tools for planning, drafting, analysis, and optimization, paired with strong judgment, curiosity, and a collaborative learning mindset.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 34 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page to learn more about opportunities at Upwork.

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate candidates or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Candidates who prefer not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace. We serve everyone from one-person startups to over 30% of the Fortune 100 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. 

This is an engagement through Upwork’s Hybrid Workforce Solutions (HWS) Team. Our Hybrid Workforce Solutions Team is a global group of professionals that support Upwork’s business. Our HWS team members are located all over the world.

Upwork is looking for a talented, experienced, and hardworking Senior Backend Engineer with an expert level in Python, Javascript, server-side development with SQL experience, and AWS knowledge to work on the Upwork Data Platform Backend.

The Intelligent Data Platform team is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to support the Snowflake Data Platform. This is a hands-on IC role focused on building, operating, and automating backend services that power data ingestion, orchestration, governance, cost optimization, and compliance for a platform used by hundreds of internal users.

Your Responsibilities:

• Build and operate backend services and automation for the Snowflake data platform.
• Support data ingestion pipelines (RDS/Oracle → Snowflake) and reverse ETL (Snowflake → RDS).
• Develop and maintain Airflow (AWS MWAA) workflows for ingestion, data quality, and ops automation.
• Implement tooling for data quality checks, platform governance, and SOX-related controls.
• Help monitor and optimize Snowflake performance and costs.
• Deliver production-ready solutions with minimal supervision.

Must Haves (Required Skills):

• Strong backend engineering experience in production systems.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL (JavaScript a plus).
• Hands-on experience with Snowflake or large-scale data warehouses.
• Experience with AWS and workflow orchestration (Airflow preferred).
• Strong operational mindset: monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance tuning.
• Ability to work independently in a remote, distributed team with minimum supervision and attention to detail.
• Communicate frequently and effectively in English.
• Can commit at least 3 hours a day, overlapping with the working hours of the Upwork Data Platform team - typically 8 AM - 11 AM PST.

Upwork is proudly committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. 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, to the extent permitted under applicable law, a criminal background check may be required as a condition of engagement.

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate talent or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Any individual who prefers not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

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.

This is an engagement through Upwork’s Hybrid Workforce Solutions (HWS) Team. Our Hybrid Workforce Solutions Team is a global group of professionals that support Upwork’s business. Our HWS team members are located all over the world.

Join Upwork's Data Infrastructure team within the Data Platform Services (DPS) organization, responsible for designing, operating, and automating all database systems (Postgres, MySQL, DynamoDB, MongoDB) across Upwork’s global infrastructure. This role combines database engineering expertise with software development rigor to build mission-critical automations for Upwork’s core data assets.

You’ll orchestrate complex systems spanning Terraform, RDS, Presto, and Rancher to solve challenges like:

• Zero-downtime migrations and cross-region replication
• End-to-end database provisioning (infrastructure deployment, user/access configuration, service integration)
• Vulnerability management and security hardening at scale
• Incident response for high-severity database alerts (24/7 on-call rotation) 

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement Python-based automation frameworks (not scripts) for database lifecycle management 
• Collaborate with infrastructure teams to integrate systems via APIs (AWS, Kubernetes, HashiCorp) 
• Optimize Postgres performance, replication, and backup strategies (99% of relational DB use cases) 
• Participate in LATAM Time-friendly on-call shifts with weekend coverage 

Must-haves (required skills):

• Hybrid expertise: Deep experience in both database engineering/administration and software development. Candidates who have transitioned from database engineering to software development (or vice versa) are especially encouraged.
• Programming skills: Strong background in Python (required); ability to develop robust automation beyond basic scripting. Experience with Ruby or Perl is acceptable if you can quickly adapt to Python.
• Database expertise: 7+ years of professional experience with relational databases, with a strong preference for Postgres. Experience with MySQL or Oracle is also valued. NoSQL experience (e.g., DynamoDB) is a plus but not required.
• SQL proficiency: Solid understanding of SQL; experience with procedural languages (PL/pgSQL for Postgres or PL/SQL for Oracle) is beneficial but not essential, as most automation is done in Python.
• Cloud & DevOps familiarity: Experience with Terraform and related infrastructure-as-code tools is a plus, but not a core requirement. Familiarity with cloud environments (AWS, GCP, Azure) is helpful.
• Automation mindset: Passion for automating repetitive tasks and improving operational efficiency.
• Ownership & accountability: Proactive, resourceful, and able to take full responsibility for solving problems and delivering outcomes.
• Collaboration: Strong communication skills; able to work effectively in a distributed, multicultural team.

Additional Details:

• Location: Candidates based in the LATAM timezone. 
• On-call rotation: The role requires participation in a 24/7 on-call schedule, including weekends. Actual incident frequency is low, but availability during assigned shifts is essential. Flexibility is provided to balance workload after incidents.

Why Join Upwork’s Data Infrastructure Team?

• Work on challenging, high-impact automation projects at the heart of Upwork’s business.
• Collaborate with experienced engineers in a supportive, global team environment.
• Gain exposure to a wide array of technologies and complex systems orchestration.
• Opportunity to shape and improve the core data infrastructure of the world’s leading work marketplace.

If you are passionate about databases, enjoy building automation for complex systems, and thrive in a collaborative, distributed environment, we encourage you to apply.

Upwork is proudly committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. 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, to the extent permitted under applicable law, a criminal background check may be required as a condition of engagement.

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate talent or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Any individual who prefers not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work.

From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work.

About the role

We are seeking a Vice President of Marketing to lead and scale the company’s end-to-end marketing function, with a clear mandate: build a durable, performance-driven growth engine that delivers measurable business outcomes.

This role sits at the center of Marketplace performance, accountable for the systems that drive acquisition, activation, and monetization across SMB and mid-market customers - and for ensuring those systems scale efficiently and predictably.

We have strong foundations: a scaled marketplace, global supply, and growing demand across key AI categories. What’s needed now is a step-change in how we convert that demand into durable growth. 

This is a senior executive role with significant autonomy and company-wide influence. You will lead a multi-disciplinary organization and partner closely with Product, Engineering, Data Science, and Finance to improve the full customer journey.

Responsibilities

• Own and scale the Marketplace growth system for SMB and mid-market customers, translating company strategy into a multi-year, integrated operating plan across acquisition, activation, engagement, and monetization, with clear accountability to business outcomes such as GSV per active client and overall company growth.
• Drive a step-change in how Marketing operates by scaling experimentation, improving efficiency, and building a more integrated, high-performing system across all disciplines.
• Define and lead the long-term vision, strategy, and execution roadmap for Marketing, positioning the function as a core driver of growth, profitability, and competitive differentiation aligned to Upwork’s enterprise priorities.
• Lead performance marketing and demand generation across channels - including paid, organic, lifecycle, and emerging surfaces - with a focus on high-intent demand capture, efficient acquisition, faster time-to-first-hire, and long-term customer value.
• Oversee Product Marketing, Brand, and Content to ensure clear positioning, strong trust signals, and a seamless path from discovery to hire for SMB and mid-market buyers.
• Operate as an enterprise leader, influencing company strategy, investment decisions, and cross-functional priorities as a member of the extended leadership team.

What it takes to catch our eye

• Deep experience building and scaling performance-led growth systems, with demonstrated ownership of acquisition efficiency, funnel optimization, and long-term customer value in a scaled marketplace or platform business.
• Proven track record of operating at an enterprise level, setting vision and strategy for a marketing function or business unit, and delivering measurable impact on company growth and financial performance.
• Strong command of paid acquisition, SEO, lifecycle marketing, and experimentation, with the ability to translate data into clear decisions, tradeoffs, and investment strategies.
• Experience integrating multiple marketing disciplines (performance, brand, product marketing, content) into a cohesive, high-impact system aligned to business outcomes.
• Deep experience serving SMB and/or mid-market business customers, with a strong understanding of buyer intent, urgency, budget sensitivity, and the need for fast, trusted outcomes.
• Fluency in data, experimentation, and marketing analytics, with the ability to partner effectively with analytics and finance to guide forecasting, capital allocation, and ROI decisions.
• Comfort operating in an AI-forward environment, using AI to accelerate analysis, experimentation, and execution while applying strong judgment to guide decisions.
• A leadership style grounded in clarity, accountability, and outcomes, with the ability to align cross-functional leaders and deliver results at scale through others.

Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at upwork.com and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at go-lifted.com and follow on LinkedIn.

Social is a critical growth lever for Upwork. This Senior Manager, Social Media role represents a step-change opportunity to define Upwork’s social vision, elevate how the brand participates in culture, and drive measurable discovery and engagement with new audiences. This role blends bold creative judgment with strong operational leadership, balancing social-first storytelling with performance accountability.

This is a people manager role overseeing a team of social media managers, contractors, and agency partners. You will own social strategy end to end, from annual planning through day-to-day execution, with accountability for brand impact, audience growth, and downstream business outcomes. You will stay close enough to the work to shape narratives, creative quality, and executive-ready communication, while enabling the team to operate with clarity, confidence, and sustainable pace.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve Upwork’s social media strategy, translating brand positioning and business priorities into clear annual and quarterly plans with defined success metrics.
• Define how social drives discovery, relevance, and credibility with non-followers by setting a strong point of view on platforms, formats, and cultural moments that matter most.
• Lead, coach, and develop an established team of social media managers and hybrid contributors, raising the bar on strategic thinking, creative standards, and operating rigor.
• Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and development plans, using consistent feedback loops to support growth and accountability.
• Build a test-and-learn culture where experimentation across content, formats, messaging, and distribution is expected, documented, and shared to improve outcomes over time.
• Ensure social content is creatively strong, culturally relevant, platform-native, and performance-minded, with clear measurement tied to reach, engagement, and downstream impact.
• Partner closely with Brand, Content, Communications, SEO, Influencer Marketing, and Paid Media teams to amplify social programs and maximize cross-channel impact.
  
  

What it takes to catch our eye

• 8+ years leading organic social at scale (brand or agency), owning always-on strategy and execution for at least one primary channel, with a proven ability to drive discovery, engagement, and cultural relevance through social-first work.
• Strong creative and editorial judgment with a performance mindset, translating insights, trends, and data into platform-native storytelling through testing, experimentation, and continuous optimization.
• Deep understanding of social platforms and formats, with particular strength on LinkedIn and YouTube, and experience speaking to both B2B and B2C audiences, including small business owners, independent professionals, or creators.
• Proven senior-level ownership and execution, able to drive work end to end with sound judgment, minimal oversight, and a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery.
• Exceptional written communication skills, moving fluidly between social copy, strategic narratives, and clear, executive-ready documentation.
• People leadership experience, including setting goals, coaching performance, developing managers, and building trust within established teams.
• Experience managing budgets and external partners (agencies, creators, vendors) with clear briefs, feedback, accountability, and thoughtful stewardship.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and using modern tools, including AI-powered tools for planning, drafting, analysis, and optimization, paired with strong judgment, curiosity, and a collaborative learning mindset.

Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at Upwork.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at Go-Lifted and follow on LinkedIn.

As a Lead AI Engineer on our Data Platform & Services (DPS) team, you will apply your expertise in AI capabilities to build and deploy production grade AI powered systems towards data engineering, analytics & product evolution use cases.  You’ll design and deploy agentic frameworks, natural language querying (NLQ) capabilities, and prompt/LLM evaluation strategies that unlock insights at scale across Upwork. This is an opportunity to deliver tangible impact, enabling faster decision-making, democratizing data access, and empowering analysts, product teams and stakeholders throughout the company.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable agentic frameworks that coordinate multiple AI agents to deliver accurate and reliable outcomes.
• Build and optimize natural language query solutions that provide compliant, intuitive, and self-service access to enterprise data.
• Develop and maintain evaluation frameworks for LLMs and prompts, driving measurable improvements in accuracy, scalability, and resilience.
• Partner with data engineering peers to integrate AI orchestration with Python, SQL, and Snowflake pipelines.
• Contribute to AI-powered summarization and explanation tools that enhance reporting, insights, and executive reviews.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, analytics, and business teams to ensure solutions meet measurable business goals.

What it takes to catch our eye

• Proven experience delivering AI-powered data systems in production, including hands-on expertise with LLMs and prompt engineering.
• Strong foundation in modern data engineering, with proficiency in Python, SQL, and platforms such as Snowflake.
• Demonstrated ability to design agentic orchestration frameworks that scale across diverse business scenarios.
• A collaborative problem-solver with strong communication skills, able to align stakeholders and create clarity across teams.
• Growth mindset, excited to learn, iterate, and deliver measurable business outcomes through applied AI.

Come change how the world works.

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace. We serve everyone from one-person startups to over 30% of the Fortune 100 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.

This is an engagement through Upwork’s Contingent Workforce (CW) Team. Our Contingent Workforce Team is a global group of professionals that support Upwork’s business. Our CW team members are located all over the world.

We are seeking an experienced Integration Project Manager with a strong foundation in finance and operations to support a company build-out initiative. This role will focus on leading integration efforts for acquired entities while also managing the end-to-end setup of new legal entities across multiple countries. You will collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders and external partners to ensure smooth execution and alignment across all phases of the project lifecycle.

Work/Project Scope:

• Lead integration efforts for acquired entities across multiple regions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Oversee end-to-end project execution for new legal entity creation in various global markets.
• Coordinate cross-functional internal teams and external experts to drive successful project outcomes.
• Track milestones, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring projects stay on schedule and within scope.
• Identify potential risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies related to global entity setup.
• Provide clear, consistent updates and reporting to stakeholders across different levels of the organization.

Must Haves (Required Skills):

• Strong background in finance with the ability to understand and apply financial concepts.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, ideally within integration or global expansion initiatives.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to navigate complex, cross-border operational environments.

Upwork is proudly committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. 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, to the extent permitted under applicable law, a criminal background check may be required as a condition of engagement.

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate talent or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Any individual who prefers not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace. We serve everyone from one-person startups to over 30% of the Fortune 100 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.

This is an engagement through Upwork’s Contingent Workforce (CW) Team. Our Contingent Workforce Team is a global group of professionals that support Upwork’s business. Our CW team members are located all over the world.

We are seeking a Lifecycle Marketing Specialist to support the growth and optimization of lifecycle programs. In this role, you will contribute to the design, testing, implementation, and measurement of multi-channel campaigns that drive engagement, conversion, and retention across the customer journey.

This opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys working with data, experimenting with new approaches, and continuously improving customer experiences through thoughtful, insight-driven marketing strategies.

Work/Project Scope:

• Support the execution of lifecycle marketing campaigns across email, mobile, in-product messaging, and related channels, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with engagement and conversion goals.
• Assist in testing and optimization efforts by analyzing campaign performance and translating insights into actionable improvements.
• Build and optimize nurture sequences to support demand generation, activation, and retention initiatives.
• Implement and manage campaigns within Braze (or similar platforms), ensuring audience accuracy, personalization, and quality assurance prior to launch.
• Maintain and update lifecycle documentation, campaign briefs, and process guidelines; contribute to audits to ensure accuracy and operational excellence.
• Monitor campaign performance dashboards, identify trends or anomalies, and recommend optimizations to enhance efficiency and user experience.

Must Haves (Required Skills):

• Proven experience executing lifecycle or CRM marketing campaigns, with hands-on use of Braze or a similar marketing automation platform.
• Strong analytical mindset with experience running experiments, interpreting results, and applying insights to improve performance.
• Experience building and optimizing nurture sequences for demand generation, activation, or retention efforts.
• Proficiency using AI tools to support campaign development (e.g., drafting copy, summarizing insights, accelerating testing), with careful validation of outputs.
• Clear written and cross-functional communication skills, with a proactive and growth-oriented approach.
• Ability to manage work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional partners.

Upwork is proudly committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. 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, to the extent permitted under applicable law, a criminal background check may be required as a condition of engagement. 

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate talent or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Any individual who prefers not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at Upwork.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at Go-Lifted and follow on LinkedIn.

Upwork’s Corporate Strategy & Development team drives high-impact initiatives that shape the future of the world’s work marketplace. As we continue expanding our Enterprise solutions, AI capabilities, and global marketplace, inorganic growth remains an important lever for accelerating our strategy. The team partners closely with senior leaders across Product, Engineering, GTM, Trust & Safety, Finance, and People to identify, evaluate, and integrate acquisitions that advance Upwork’s long-term vision.

We are seeking a Director of M&A Integration — an experienced and strategic individual contributor who will own the strategy, planning, implementation and execution of integration efforts across Upwork’s acquisition portfolio. This leader will join the Strategy, Corporate Development and Partnerships organization and bring strong cross-functional influence, integration expertise, and operational rigor to ensure newly acquired teams, technologies, products and businesses are set up for long-term success. 

Responsibilities:

Lead End-to-End M&A Integration

• Define and drive integration strategy, workstreams and timelines across all phases: pre-sign diligence, signing-to-close planning, and post-close execution to align with strategic and financial objectives.
• Lead integration planning and project management with clear milestones, resource needs and timelines to facilitate efficient decision-making, manage risks and interdependencies and drive value creation and capture.
• Drive cross-functional implementation and execution from Day 1 readiness through product, technology, operational, and go-to-market integration.
• Anticipate, identify and resolve integration obstacles, surface risks early, consider dependencies, and drive escalations in partnership with functional leaders.
• Establish and track integration KPIs, value realization metrics, and post-deal scorecards and deliver high-quality, executive-ready communication to maintain alignment, highlight progress, and advance issues as needed.
• Ensure acquired teams are set up for success - supporting onboarding, team structure, cultural alignment, and retention of key talent.

Strategic Partnership & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as a core member of the deal team, contributing integration insights to target evaluation, diligence, and deal structuring.
• Partner closely with Product, Engineering, GTM, Trust & Safety, Finance, and People to align executives on integration scope, operating model, and decision-making.
• Provide integration thought leadership, best practices, and advisory support across the business.
• Lead customer, marketplace, and competitive insights workstreams to inform acquisition strategy.
• Guide virtual cross-functional teams and onboard newly acquired employees in a complex, matrixed environment.

Capability Building & Performance Excellence

• Enhance Upwork’s M&A integration playbooks, tools, processes, and best practices.
• Conduct post-mortems and integrate learnings into future deals.
• Prepare integration updates and insights for senior executives and the Board of Directors.
• Support broader Corporate Strategy initiatives outside of M&A as needed.

What It Takes to Catch Our Eye:

• 10–15+ years of M&A integration, consulting, or operational leadership experience, with a minimum of 5+ years directly leading M&A integrations end-to-end.
• Strong track record integrating teams, technology, and operational processes within technology or marketplace/SaaS environments.
• Ability to operate as a high-impact individual contributor driving complex, global integration efforts.
• Excellent cross-functional influence skills and executive presence.
• Exceptional program management, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level reporting.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace; Smartsheet experience a plus.
• MBA or equivalent experience preferred.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to learn more about life at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer 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.

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate candidates or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Candidates who prefer not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at Upwork.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at Go-Lifted and follow on LinkedIn.

As a Lead AI Engineer on our Data Platform & Services (DPS) team, you will bridge deep data engineering expertise with emerging AI capabilities to build production-grade AI-powered systems. You’ll design and deploy agentic frameworks, natural language querying (NLQ) capabilities, and prompt/LLM evaluation strategies that unlock insights at scale across Upwork. This is an opportunity to deliver tangible impact, enabling faster decision-making, democratizing data access, and empowering analysts and stakeholders throughout the company.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement scalable agentic frameworks that coordinate multiple AI agents to deliver accurate and reliable outcomes.
• Build and optimize natural language query solutions that provide compliant, intuitive, and self-service access to enterprise data.
• Develop and maintain evaluation frameworks for LLMs and prompts, driving measurable improvements in accuracy, scalability, and resilience.
• Partner with data engineering peers to integrate AI orchestration with Python, SQL, and Snowflake pipelines.
• Contribute to AI-powered summarization and explanation tools that enhance reporting, insights, and executive reviews.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, analytics, and business teams to ensure solutions meet measurable business goals.

What it takes to catch our eye:

• Proven experience delivering AI-powered data systems in production, including hands-on expertise with LLMs and prompt engineering.
• Strong foundation in modern data engineering, with proficiency in Python, SQL, and platforms such as Snowflake.
• Demonstrated ability to design agentic orchestration frameworks that scale across diverse business scenarios.
• A collaborative problem-solver with strong communication skills, able to align stakeholders and create clarity across teams.
• Growth mindset—excited to learn, iterate, and deliver measurable business outcomes through applied AI.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to learn more about life at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer 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. The Company is committed to conducting an individualized assessment and giving all individuals a fair opportunity to provide relevant information or context before making any final employment decision.

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate candidates or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Candidates who prefer not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

To learn more about how Upwork processes and protects your personal information as part of the application process, please review our Global Job Applicant Privacy Notice.

Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at upwork.com and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at go-lifted.com and follow on LinkedIn.

We are seeking a Senior Director of Corporate Development who is passionate about M&A, investments and shaping the long-term strategy of a category-defining company. This senior role will help set, influence and implement inorganic growth opportunities through creative idea generation and disciplined execution, lead and manage the full deal lifecycle—identifying, evaluating and structuring M&A and investments as well as integrating acquisitions—and partner closely with the executive team to ensure each transaction can unlock innovation, accelerate growth and drive long-term shareholder value.

This role reports to the VP of Strategy, Corporate Development & Partnerships and offers a high degree of executive visibility, partnering closely with leaders across the company.

Responsibilities:

• Lead End-to-End M&A and Investments Execution: Support Upwork’s growth strategy through identification, assessment and execution of potential mergers, acquisitions, investments, and joint ventures including sourcing, valuation, due diligence, commercial and legal document negotiations, and post-merger integration.
• Financial Modeling & Business Case Development: Build and oversee detailed evaluation exercises (Build/Buy/Partner), valuation models, ROI frameworks, and scenario analyses to evaluate deal economics and to prepare acquisition and investment business cases.
• Executive & Board Engagement: Translate complex market insights into actionable recommendations and prepare investment / M&A memos and presentations for leadership and the Board of Directors to secure buy-in on major initiatives.
• Integration Leadership: Drive post-deal integration in partnership with cross-functional leaders to maximize value capture and ensure acquired capabilities are successfully scaled within Upwork’s platform by setting KPIs and milestones to measure integration success and drive value realization.
• Competitive & Market Intelligence: Partner with Corporate Strategy team to build and advance a disciplined approach to market, competitive, and ecosystem intelligence to identify white spaces, disruptive trends, emerging opportunities and prospective companies to partner with, invest in or acquire.
• Team Leadership & Development: Provide strategic direction and mentorship to a high-performing Corporate Development team, driving a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning. Oversee workload prioritization, professional growth, and performance management to ensure the team consistently delivers at the highest standard across all phases of M&A and investment execution.
• Ecosystem Relationships: Cultivate relationships with bankers, VCs, advisors, and entrepreneurs to ensure strong deal and information flow.

What it takes to catch our eye:

• 12+ years in corporate development, investment banking, management consulting, or private equity with a consistent track record of leading and evaluating end-to-end transactions and deep exposure to technology and innovation ecosystems.
• Strong strategic vision and business acumen with an understanding of key business drivers and the ability to connect M&A and investment opportunities to product and long-term market trends, translating insights into actionable strategies.
• Significant experience in managing people and leading cross-functional teams to execute all aspects of a deal, from idea generation to due diligence and negotiations, with strong negotiation experience and a reputation for closing complex, high-value deals.
• Exceptional analytical, financial modeling, valuation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate analysis into clear recommendations.
• Executive presence and communication skills with experience influencing and presenting to GMs, product leaders, C-suite and Board level executives on product strategy, go-to-market decisions, and long-range planning in addition to M&A execution.
• Familiarity with marketplaces, AI or HR/labor tech strongly preferred.
• Excellent judgement with the ability to think creatively and conceptually, while thriving in a highly dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and executive communication skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of an organization
• A bias for action, growth mindset, and ability to navigate ambiguity and complexity with clarity and purpose

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 34 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page to learn more about opportunities at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer 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.

Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at Upwork.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at Go-Lifted and follow on LinkedIn.

We're looking for an experienced communications professional to lead our internal communications function and partner closely with our CEO on messaging and thought leadership. This is a rare dual-mandate role: you'll own the internal communications function that keeps our people informed, connected, and engaged, while also serving as a trusted strategic advisor and communications partner to our CEO.

You'll report to the VP of Communications and work closely with the People and Leadership teams. As Head of Internal Communications, you'll support the entire Leadership Team on internal communications while serving as a dedicated communications partner to the CEO on both internal and external messaging. This is a high-visibility, high-impact position for someone who is equally comfortable crafting a company-wide all-hands narrative and developing content that captures an executive's authentic voice.

Responsibilities

Internal Communications

• Define and lead the company’s internal communications strategy, ensuring employees are informed, aligned, and connected to company priorities and how their work connects to the broader mission
• Build and evolve communication channels, cadences, and formats to improve reach, engagement, and clarity across a distributed organization
• Support the broader Leadership Team on internal communications, helping leaders communicate clearly and consistently with their teams
• Partner with HR/People to develop communications around talent programs, benefits, and organizational changes
• Establish metrics and feedback loops to evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve internal communications strategy
• Own the planning and execution of regular company meetings and all-hands, delivering informative and compelling connection moments both virtually and in person
• Shape and reinforce company culture, values, and mission through consistent, meaningful storytelling

CEO Communications

• Partner with the VP of Communications and external communications team to develop content that supports the CEO's communications strategy across both internal and external channels, including company-wide messages, speeches, board materials, LinkedIn, and media bylines
• Serve as a steward of the CEO's editorial voice and point of view, ensuring consistency and authenticity across all content
• Anticipate communications needs tied to business milestones, industry moments, and cultural conversations
• Support prep for the CEO for all-hands meetings, town halls, and key internal moments with messaging, talking points, and Q&A prep

Team Leadership

• Manage and develop an internal communications team, setting priorities and alignment to teams, building processes and standards, providing coaching, and ensuring high-quality execution across workstreams

What it takes to catch our eye

• Experience leading internal and/or executive communications strategies with clear impact on employee alignment and leadership effectiveness
• Proven ability to partner with senior executives and translate vision into authentic, compelling messaging across audiences and channels
• Exceptional writing and editorial judgment, with the ability to adapt voice and tone while maintaining consistency and credibility
• Strong strategic instincts and the ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritize effectively, and influence cross-functional stakeholders
• Experience using AI tools to draft, refine, and scale communications, while critically evaluating outputs for accuracy, tone, and intent

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to learn more about life at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer 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. The Company is committed to conducting an individualized assessment and giving all individuals a fair opportunity to provide relevant information or context before making any final employment decision.

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate candidates or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Candidates who prefer not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

To learn more about how Upwork processes and protects your personal information as part of the application process, please review our Global Job Applicant Privacy Notice.