About the Position

Chief of Staff to GM & Chief Operating Officer

Location: Palo Alto, California, United States

Company: Upwork Inc.

About the Role

Upwork's COO and GM of Marketplace operates across one of the broadest organizational portfolios in the company - spanning Legal, Information Security, Marketing, Payments, Trust & Safety, Communications, Customer Support, Design, and Product. The Chief of Staff to the COO exists to make that model work: not as a coordinator, but as a true operating partner who extends the COO's capacity, sharpens decision-making, and holds together a complex, fast-moving organization.

This role requires someone who has earned the confidence to walk into any room, speak with authority, and immediately earn credibility - with the COO's direct reports, with the executive team, and with external stakeholders. It is a senior, strategic seat, and will be treated as one.

Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership

Serve as a trusted thought partner for the COO.
Surface risks before they become problems.
Ensure decisions are grounded in the right data and framing.
Prepare the COO for high-stakes conversations.

Operational Integration

Own the operating rhythm of the COO organization.
Ensure monthly and quarterly business reviews, annual planning cycles, and leadership forums are substantive and efficient.
Work directly with finance and functional leads to manage budget and make proactive trade-off decisions.

Execution and Clarity

Maintain a clear line of sight across key initiatives.
Ensure the COO has the information, context, and preparation needed to drive outcomes.
Unblock cross-functional friction and know when to convene the right people.

Culture and Continuity

Model the leadership values Upwork expects of its people.
Be the connective tissue between strategy and execution.
Provide stability and continuity during transitions or periods of organizational change.

Requirements

10+ years of relevant experience in high-velocity environments.
MBA or equivalent strongly preferred.
Prior Chief of Staff experience or a similar senior operating role is a plus.
Organized with a way that instills confidence.
Ability to think clearly under ambiguity.
Precision in writing and communication.
Discretion and judgement to be a confidant.

We Offer

Annual Base Compensation: $229,000 - $384,000 USD
Comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family.
Unlimited PTO.
401(k) plan with matching.
12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

About the Company

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 us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at Go-Lifted and follow on LinkedIn.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 34 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to learn more about life at Upwork.

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.

We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate candidates or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Candidates who prefer not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.

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.

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Chief of Staff to GM & Chief Operating Officer

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