Director, Corporate Strategy

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.

As a Director, Corporate Strategy, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of Upwork. Reporting to the Head of Corporate Strategy, this highly-ambitious leader will be responsible for working closely with Upwork leadership to identify, develop, and execute strategic initiatives that enhance Upwork’s market position, drive growth and increase shareholder value. This position requires a versatile leader with excellent analytical and communication skills and a proven track record in strategic planning and/or product strategy, competitive analysis, and market evaluation.

The Corporate Strategy team is part of a broader strategy and growth function responsible for end-to-end execution of Upwork’s strategy creation, M&A and investment activity, business development and channel and financial services/payment partnerships. This will be a highly visible and impactful position that will offer the opportunity to drive long-term value creation for the company.

Your Responsibilities:

• Develop corporate and product strategy, driving research and communicating learnings about the landscape with leaders throughout the company.
• Be a strategic thought partner to Upwork’s senior leadership team by developing and articulating Upwork’s position on short, medium and long-term strategic issues and driving towards decisions.
• Evaluate and size market and customer segments, preparing competitive analysis and identifying growth areas for the company.
• Form strategies and business cases to pursue high potential opportunities raised by yourself and other Upwork leaders.
• Lead quantitative and qualitative research, illuminating key trends affecting our business, laying out options and recommending potential plans for addressing them.
• Help with the preparation of the strategic components of quarterly board materials.
• Provide direction, mentorship, and development opportunities to other members of the corporate strategy team.

What it takes to catch our eye:

• Proven track record with experience in corporate or product strategy, management consulting or a related field requiring a high degree of analytical and strategic rigor.
• Experience in technology, marketplaces and/or Human Capital Management-related areas preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex or ambiguous ideas into structured, actionable strategies and initiatives.
• In-depth knowledge of market trends, industry best practices with a deep understanding of competitive strategy, market sizing and opportunity evaluation.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and compelling manner.
• Organized, structured “doer” with a willingness to roll up sleeves, take initiative independently and have ownership accountability.
• Ability to navigate and thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment.

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 physical offices in San Francisco and Chicago, currently we also hire full-time employees in 19 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.

The annual base salary range for this position is displayed below. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salary for this position, and individual base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Additionally, this position is eligible for the annual bonus plan or sales incentive plan and eligibility to participate in our long term equity incentive program.

Annual Base Compensation

$175,500—$277,500 USD

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