Vice President of Product - Talent Enablement

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 the world's largest work marketplace, our commitment to empowering and enabling Talent to discover meaningful opportunities and create significant impact for our Clients is fundamental to the sustained growth across various dimensions of our core business. In this impactful role, you will spearhead the comprehensive strategy, overseeing the transformation of our Talent onboarding process, skill assessment, certification procedures, and the seamless alignment of their capabilities with opportunities that cater to both Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) and Enterprise clients. You’ll also collaborate with other teams to address user / platform needs and problems like talent scam / spam, circumvention, talent tools, and talent subscriptions. Additionally, you will play a pivotal role in cultivating and enhancing their reputation within our platform.

Your Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a visionary strategy for Talent Enablement, aligning with the company's mission and future growth objectives.

• Product Innovation: Drive the development of innovative tools and features that empower Talent to succeed in the evolving landscape of work.

• Cross-functional Leadership: While you will start as an IC, over time you would be expected to assemble and lead a high-performing, cross-functional team comprising Product Managers, Engineers, UX Designers, Growth Marketers, and Analysts.

• Global Impact: Collaborate with teams to unlock opportunities that create economic value for our global customer base, spanning both SMBs and Enterprise clients.

• User Reputation Management: Oversee the development of mechanisms to build and enhance the reputation of Talent on our platform, ensuring a robust and trustworthy ecosystem.

• Continuous Improvement: Implement iterative improvements based on data-driven insights, user feedback, and industry trends.

What it takes to catch our eye:

• Proven Leadership: Extensive experience in a senior leadership role within a Product function, preferably in a remote or tech-driven environment, with a strong emphasis on leading cross-functional teams.

• Remote Work Expertise: Understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with remote work and a passion for enabling individuals to thrive in such environments.

• Innovative Thinking: A track record of driving innovation in product development, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Global Perspective: Experience in dealing with diverse global markets and an understanding of the nuances associated with different customer segments.

• Marketplace Dynamics and Talent Marketplaces: In-depth knowledge of marketplace dynamics, with a focus on talent marketplaces, showcasing a keen understanding of industry trends, competitive landscapes, and the intricacies of talent acquisition and placement in digital platforms.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams, driving cohesive efforts toward shared objectives.

• Team Leadership: Proven experience in effectively leading and managing cross-functional teams, demonstrating strong communication, collaboration, and motivational skills.

The annual base salary for this position in California and Washington ranges from $ 241,000- 300,000. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salary for this position in California and Washington, 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.

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.