HR Operations Onboarding Specialist (contract)

The Team: 

The HR Operations team is the engine behind the extraordinary—designing seamless systems and experiences that make the complex feel effortless and enable Upstarters to do great work. We build the infrastructure that powers onboarding, policy management, compliance, and more, ensuring every Upstarter can thrive across their career journey. By creating scalable tools, processes, and governance—and partnering with People and business stakeholders—we turn complexity into clarity and create the foundation for employees to succeed.

As the HR Operations Onboarding Specialist at Upstart, you will coordinate onboarding activities, manage data workflows across internal People, Recruitment, and IT systems, and ensure compliance with background and I-9 requirements. You’ll serve as a go-to partner for internal teams and new hires, driving a seamless and delightful day 1 experience for new employees.

How you’ll make an impact

• Operate with trust & integrity: You treat sensitive information with care, knowing that trust is the foundation of great working relationships. Whether you're reviewing background checks, processing new hire transactions in Workday, or ensuring I-9s are completed compliantly, you handle data with professionalism, discretion, and a deep sense of responsibility.
• Communicate to connect: You know how to tailor your message to meet your audience—whether it’s a quick Slack to a teammate or a clear, timely email to a new hire or hiring manager. You ensure candidates, managers, the People team, and cross-functional partners are aligned and informed every step of the way.
• Own the outcome: You take initiative, move fast, and follow through. You coordinate laptop shipments, and address confirmations without missing a beat. If issues arise—whether it’s a data discrepancy across systems or a last-minute change to start dates—you stay steady, find a solution, and keep things moving forward.
• Champion the employee experience: You show up with empathy, responsiveness, and a service mindset. You field  onboarding questions from candidates, managers, and recruiters—making each interaction an opportunity to build trust and confidence in our process. You know that a smooth start sets the tone for the entire employee journey.
• Sweat the details, deliver with pride: You have a sharp eye and a high bar for quality. You monitor data across multiple systems (HRIS, ATS, IT, headcount management) and catch inconsistencies and unblock bottlenecks. Every workflow, form, and message you touch reflects your commitment to accuracy, clarity, and delivering an exceptional experience.

Minimum Qualifications 

• 1-3 years of HR experience, preferably in an HR operations, onboarding, or related role 
• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to audiences at all levels of the organization 
• Self starter who can manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• A responsive, customer-service posture with excellent organization skills
• The ideal candidate will pay strong attention to detail as a habit and they will hold the quality of their work as paramount in all that they do

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using Workday and applicant tracking systems (e.g., Greenhouse)
• Working knowledge of I-9 and background check processes and tools (e.g. Equifax, Checkr)
• Experience in the tech industry

Position location Remote

Time zone requirements The team operates on the East/West coast time zones. 

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