Principal HR Business Partner

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Upwork is seeking a Principal HR Business Partner to partner with the COO and CTO organizations, including Customer Support, Trust & Safety, Payments, Legal, Infosec, and Communications, to shape talent strategy for corporate and contingent workforces across multiple geographies. You’ll co-create workforce planning and org design, leverage data and AI tools to surface insights, lead complex change initiatives, advise on employee relations and culture, and collaborate with COEs to scale inclusive, high performance programs while driving compensation, engagement, succession, and performance processes. The ideal candidate has extensive global HRBP experience with technical teams, strong executive coaching and change leadership, and a practical, data-driven mindset. The role is Toronto onsite, with an upcoming hub and initial hire via a partner; to apply, showcase measurable outcomes, cross-functional collaboration with technologists, and experience using AI for workforce analytics.

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’re seeking a Principal HR Business Partner to support Upwork’s Chief Operating Officer—including Customer Support, Trust & Safety, Payments, Legal, Infosec, and Communications—as well as our CTO organization. These high-impact teams safeguard our platform, enable secure global payments, protect our community, and drive the infrastructure that powers our business. You’ll partner with senior leaders across corporate and technical domains to shape talent strategies, navigate organizational complexity, and support workforce transformation.

This role requires both strategic insight and a roll-up-your-sleeves approach. You’ll drive initiatives that enhance employee engagement, scale operational excellence, and optimize both employee and contingent workforce performance. This is a high-visibility opportunity to influence the future of work from inside the company leading it.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the COO, CTO and their executive leadership team to develop people strategies and provide executive coaching aligned with business priorities across both corporate employees and a broad contingent workforce.
• Shape and implement workforce planning, org design, and talent development strategies that scale across multiple geographies and disciplines.
• Use data and AI tools to assess organizational health, surface insights, and deliver actionable people plans that drive measurable outcomes.
  
  
• Lead complex change initiatives, partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure clear communication, risk mitigation, and business continuity.
• Provide guidance on sensitive workforce matters, including employee relations, engagement, and workplace culture.
• Collaborate with COEs (Total Rewards, Talent Development, Legal, DEI, etc.) to design and operationalize people programs (incorporating the business’ point of view) and scale inclusive, high-performance systems.
• Drive talent lifecycle processes including compensation strategy, engagement survey action planning, succession planning, and performance reviews.
• Mentor peers within the People team and champion a culture of feedback, learning, and collaboration.
  
  

What it takes to catch our eye

• Extensive HRBP experience partnering with diverse global client groups across both corporate and contingent workforce models.
• Extensive experience working with technical teams. 
• Strong coaching and relationship-building skills with a track record of influencing senior leaders and driving complex, cross-functional change.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to connect day-to-day execution to long-term business outcomes in operational, technical, and regulatory environments.
• Demonstrated use of AI tools to increase efficiency and insight in workforce planning, communication, and people analytics.
• Commitment to building inclusive teams and scalable systems that support equitable experiences across global, distributed teams.
• Ability to roll up sleeves and juggle multiple, competing priorities. 
• Excellent judgment on how to prioritize and focus on work that drives business outcomes.

Upwork is establishing an operational hub in Toronto, Canada. The new office is expected to be fully operational by Q4 2026. This role will require 3 days in office once we have an office open.

This position will initially be employed through a partner to ensure a seamless hiring process while we establish the hub. Once the hub is established, there may be opportunities to transition to employment with Upwork, depending on business needs and other requirements. While employed by the partner, you’ll work as part of Upwork’s team, with access to our resources, culture, and growth opportunities.

Our partner will offer competitive benefits. When Upwork’s hub is established, we will be excited to offer employment and benefits directly as business needs require. 

Upwork is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.

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.

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.

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