Director Operational Excellence Jobs
Director Operational Excellence jobs are open across manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and logistics, from senior manager to vice president level, with specializations in Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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About Upstart
At Upstart, we’re united by a mission that matters: to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. Every day, we bring creativity, experimentation, and advanced AI to reshape access to credit, helping millions move forward financially with clarity and confidence.
As the leading AI lending marketplace, we partner with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology that’s both radically intelligent and deeply human. Our platform runs over one million predictions per borrower using more than 1,800 signals, powering smarter, fairer decisions for millions of customers. But the numbers only hint at the impact. Every idea, every voice, and every contribution moves us closer to a world where credit never stands between people and their financial progress.
We’re proudly digital-first, giving most Upstarters the flexibility to do their best work from wherever they thrive, alongside teammates across 80+ cities in the US and Canada. Digital-first doesn’t mean distant. We’re intentional about in-person connection through team onsites, planning sessions, and moments that spark creativity and trust. And whether you choose to work primarily from home or collaborate in-person from one of our offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, or New York City (opening Summer 2026), you’ll have the support to work in the way that works best for you.
If you’re energized by tackling meaningful problems, excited to innovate with purpose, and motivated by work that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you.
The Team:
The Lending Operations team is responsible for delivering exceptional customer experiences while maintaining strong operational controls across the lending lifecycle. As Upstart continues to scale, Operational Excellence serves as a critical function that ensures customer issues are resolved effectively, risks are identified and mitigated, and operational processes continuously improve.
The Senior Director, Operational Excellence will build and lead several high-impact functions, including Issue Management, Customer Complaints, Identity Theft & Credit Disputes, and Quality Control. This leader will establish the strategy, operating model, and team structure needed to drive consistent execution, regulatory readiness, customer-centric outcomes, and continuous improvement across Lending Operations. They will partner closely with Operations, Compliance, Legal, Risk, Product, and Engineering to identify root causes, strengthen controls, and elevate operational performance.
How you’ll make an impact
- Build and lead a high-performing Operational Excellence organization spanning Issue Management, Customer Complaints, Identity Theft & Credit Disputes, and Quality Control.
- Develop the long-term strategy, organizational design, operating rhythms, and performance management framework for the Operational Excellence function.
- Establish scalable processes for identifying, investigating, tracking, and resolving operational issues while ensuring appropriate governance and accountability.
- Create and oversee complaint management programs that drive timely resolution, root-cause identification, trend analysis, and continuous improvement.
- Lead the strategy and execution for identity theft investigations and credit dispute operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and customer protection standards.
- Design and mature a quality control program that evaluates operational performance, identifies process gaps, and drives measurable improvements in customer and business outcomes.
- Partner with Compliance, Legal, Risk, Internal Audit, Product, Engineering, and Operations leaders to strengthen operational controls and mitigate emerging risks.
- Develop executive-level reporting, dashboards, and governance mechanisms to provide visibility into operational health, customer experience, and risk trends.
- Drive a culture of accountability, operational rigor, and continuous improvement through data-driven decision making.
- Recruit, develop, and mentor leaders and team members while fostering an inclusive, high-performance environment.
- Lead large-scale operational improvement initiatives that improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance the customer experience.
Minimum Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in operations, operational risk, operational excellence, complaint management, quality assurance, compliance operations, or related functions within financial services, fintech, banking, lending, or consumer finance.
- 7+ years of people leadership experience, including managing managers and leading multi-functional organizations.
- Experience building and scaling operational programs, teams, and governance frameworks in a regulated environment.
- Experience leading customer complaint management, issue management, quality control, audit, risk, compliance, or related operational functions.
- Experience developing and presenting operational performance metrics and executive-level reporting to senior leadership.
- Experience driving cross-functional initiatives involving Operations, Product, Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Technology teams.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading Operational Excellence, Operational Risk, Complaint Management, Quality Assurance, or Control functions within a lending, banking, fintech, or consumer financial services organization.
- Experience supporting regulatory examinations, audits, remediation programs, and control enhancement initiatives. Knowledge of consumer protection regulations and operational risk management practices applicable to lending operations.
- Experience building issue management and root-cause analysis frameworks that drive measurable business outcomes.
- Experience leveraging automation, workflow tools, and data analytics to improve operational effectiveness and customer experience.
- MBA or other advanced degree.
- Experience operating in a high-growth technology or fintech environment.
Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote
Time zone requirements The team operates on the East/West coast time zones.
Travel requirements As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.
At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).
United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range
$198,000—$275,000 USD
What you'll love
At Upstart, our benefits are designed to support your health, financial well-being, family, and personal growth. Here’s what you can expect:
- Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
- Retirement benefits to help you plan for the future, including a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
- Comprehensive health coverage designed to support you and your family, including medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for US and supplemental health coverage for Canada.
- Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)
- Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage for added financial security
- Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, in line with local requirements
- Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments (duration varies by country)
- Family-centered benefits to support fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support and life-centered resources
- Financial wellness resources, including access to financial planning tools and a financial concierge service (US Only)
- Annual wellness allowance to support your physical and emotional well-being and personal development, based on what matters most to you
- Annual productivity allowance to invest in relevant tools and resources you need to do your best work, no matter where you work from
- Connection and community through team events, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
- Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!)
For roles based in Canada, please note that we are not currently able to hire in Quebec.
Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Just as we are dedicated to improving access to affordable credit for all, we are committed to inclusive and fair hiring practices.
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email candidate_accommodations@upstart.com
About Upstart
At Upstart, we’re united by a mission that matters: to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. Every day, we bring creativity, experimentation, and advanced AI to reshape access to credit, helping millions move forward financially with clarity and confidence.
As the leading AI lending marketplace, we partner with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology that’s both radically intelligent and deeply human. Our platform runs over one million predictions per borrower using more than 1,800 signals, powering smarter, fairer decisions for millions of customers. But the numbers only hint at the impact. Every idea, every voice, and every contribution moves us closer to a world where credit never stands between people and their financial progress.
We’re proudly digital-first, giving most Upstarters the flexibility to do their best work from wherever they thrive, alongside teammates across 80+ cities in the US and Canada. Digital-first doesn’t mean distant. We’re intentional about in-person connection through team onsites, planning sessions, and moments that spark creativity and trust. And whether you choose to work primarily from home or collaborate in-person from one of our offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, or New York City (opening Summer 2026), you’ll have the support to work in the way that works best for you.
If you’re energized by tackling meaningful problems, excited to innovate with purpose, and motivated by work that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you.
The Team:
The Lending Operations team is responsible for delivering exceptional customer experiences while maintaining strong operational controls across the lending lifecycle. As Upstart continues to scale, Operational Excellence serves as a critical function that ensures customer issues are resolved effectively, risks are identified and mitigated, and operational processes continuously improve.
The Senior Director, Operational Excellence will build and lead several high-impact functions, including Issue Management, Customer Complaints, Identity Theft & Credit Disputes, and Quality Control. This leader will establish the strategy, operating model, and team structure needed to drive consistent execution, regulatory readiness, customer-centric outcomes, and continuous improvement across Lending Operations. They will partner closely with Operations, Compliance, Legal, Risk, Product, and Engineering to identify root causes, strengthen controls, and elevate operational performance.
How you’ll make an impact
- Build and lead a high-performing Operational Excellence organization spanning Issue Management, Customer Complaints, Identity Theft & Credit Disputes, and Quality Control.
- Develop the long-term strategy, organizational design, operating rhythms, and performance management framework for the Operational Excellence function.
- Establish scalable processes for identifying, investigating, tracking, and resolving operational issues while ensuring appropriate governance and accountability.
- Create and oversee complaint management programs that drive timely resolution, root-cause identification, trend analysis, and continuous improvement.
- Lead the strategy and execution for identity theft investigations and credit dispute operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and customer protection standards.
- Design and mature a quality control program that evaluates operational performance, identifies process gaps, and drives measurable improvements in customer and business outcomes.
- Partner with Compliance, Legal, Risk, Internal Audit, Product, Engineering, and Operations leaders to strengthen operational controls and mitigate emerging risks.
- Develop executive-level reporting, dashboards, and governance mechanisms to provide visibility into operational health, customer experience, and risk trends.
- Drive a culture of accountability, operational rigor, and continuous improvement through data-driven decision making.
- Recruit, develop, and mentor leaders and team members while fostering an inclusive, high-performance environment.
- Lead large-scale operational improvement initiatives that improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance the customer experience.
Minimum Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in operations, operational risk, operational excellence, complaint management, quality assurance, compliance operations, or related functions within financial services, fintech, banking, lending, or consumer finance.
- 7+ years of people leadership experience, including managing managers and leading multi-functional organizations.
- Experience building and scaling operational programs, teams, and governance frameworks in a regulated environment.
- Experience leading customer complaint management, issue management, quality control, audit, risk, compliance, or related operational functions.
- Experience developing and presenting operational performance metrics and executive-level reporting to senior leadership.
- Experience driving cross-functional initiatives involving Operations, Product, Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Technology teams.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading Operational Excellence, Operational Risk, Complaint Management, Quality Assurance, or Control functions within a lending, banking, fintech, or consumer financial services organization.
- Experience supporting regulatory examinations, audits, remediation programs, and control enhancement initiatives. Knowledge of consumer protection regulations and operational risk management practices applicable to lending operations.
- Experience building issue management and root-cause analysis frameworks that drive measurable business outcomes.
- Experience leveraging automation, workflow tools, and data analytics to improve operational effectiveness and customer experience.
- MBA or other advanced degree.
- Experience operating in a high-growth technology or fintech environment.
Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote
Time zone requirements The team operates on the East/West coast time zones.
Travel requirements As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.
At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).
United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range
$198,000—$275,000 USD
What you'll love
At Upstart, our benefits are designed to support your health, financial well-being, family, and personal growth. Here’s what you can expect:
- Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
- Retirement benefits to help you plan for the future, including a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
- Comprehensive health coverage designed to support you and your family, including medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for US and supplemental health coverage for Canada.
- Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)
- Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage for added financial security
- Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, in line with local requirements
- Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments (duration varies by country)
- Family-centered benefits to support fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support and life-centered resources
- Financial wellness resources, including access to financial planning tools and a financial concierge service (US Only)
- Annual wellness allowance to support your physical and emotional well-being and personal development, based on what matters most to you
- Annual productivity allowance to invest in relevant tools and resources you need to do your best work, no matter where you work from
- Connection and community through team events, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
- Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!)
For roles based in Canada, please note that we are not currently able to hire in Quebec.
Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Just as we are dedicated to improving access to affordable credit for all, we are committed to inclusive and fair hiring practices.
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email candidate_accommodations@upstart.com
See All Director Operational Excellence Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any director operational excellence role that fits.
Find JobsDirector Operational Excellence Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Oscar Health3
- Alvarez & Marsal2
- Abbott1
- Axon1
- BD1
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services6
- Technology & Software5
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals4
- Accounting & Auditing3
- Investment & Asset Management2
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director operational excellence jobs.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification required by most employers
- 7 to 10 years of progressive experience leading continuous improvement programs across business units
- Proven ability to design and deploy operating management systems at enterprise scale
- Proficiency with process mapping tools such as Visio, Minitab, or equivalent analytics platforms
- Experience facilitating value stream mapping and kaizen events with cross-functional teams
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations management, or a related technical discipline required
Tips for Your Director Operational Excellence Job Search
Quantify process improvement outcomes on your resume
Directors of operational excellence are hired for results, so your resume must show measurable impact: cycle time reductions, defect rate changes, cost avoidance figures, and throughput gains tied to specific initiatives you led, not just participated in.
List your Lean and Six Sigma certifications prominently
Many postings screen for Black Belt, Master Black Belt, or Lean practitioner credentials before reviewing experience. Place certifications in a dedicated section near the top of your resume so they aren't buried under job history.
Filter openings by industry before applying broadly
Operational excellence methodology differs meaningfully between a discrete manufacturer, a hospital system, and a financial services firm. Target postings in the industry where your toolset and vocabulary are strongest so your application reads as a direct match.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director operational excellence openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a portfolio of kaizen events and project charters
Interviewers at this level expect documentation, not just stories. Bring sanitized copies of A3 reports, value stream maps, or project charters you authored so you can walk through your methodology and decision-making process concretely.
Negotiate scope before accepting the offer
Director operational excellence roles vary widely in authority. Before accepting, clarify whether you own the change management budget, have direct reports, or are a staff function advising business units, since scope determines your ability to deliver the outcomes the role promises.
Director Operational Excellence Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director operational excellences?
The companies hiring the most director operational excellences right now include Oscar Health, Alvarez & Marsal, and Abbott, with the largest share of openings in California, Arizona, and Illinois, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Demand is concentrated in manufacturing, healthcare systems, and large financial services organizations undergoing transformation programs.
How many director operational excellence jobs are remote?
About 38% of director operational excellence openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, making it one of the more site-dependent director-level functions. Roles focused on enterprise performance analytics or program governance tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions tied to plant floors or clinical operations almost always require on-site presence.
How do you become a director operational excellence?
Start by earning a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification and applying it on real projects inside an operations or quality function. Build a portfolio of completed kaizen events, value stream maps, and measurable outcomes. Move into a manager or senior manager role leading a continuous improvement team, then pursue a director opening once you can show enterprise-wide program ownership and cross-functional influence.
Can you get hired as a director operational excellence without direct experience in the role?
Yes, if you have strong Lean or Six Sigma credentials and a documented history of leading improvement programs, even without the title. Candidates who have served as operations managers, quality directors, or plant managers often transition successfully by reframing their experience around methodology, change management, and measurable outcomes rather than job titles alone.
What does the director operational excellence interview process look like?
Expect a phone screen focused on your certification background and industry experience, followed by a panel interview with operations leadership and human resources. Most processes include a case study or presentation where you walk through a past improvement initiative end to end. Final rounds often involve a meeting with the chief operating officer or a business unit president to assess strategic alignment and leadership style.
Where can I find and apply to director operational excellence jobs?
You can find and apply to director operational excellence jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your industry background and methodology expertise, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All Director Operational Excellence Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any director operational excellence role that fits.
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