Chief of Staff to the President & CEO at Upwork

Palo Alto, California, United States

Upwork Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Technology, MarketplaceIndustries

Requirements

  • Demonstrated ability to operate at an executive level with clarity, influence, and discretion, particularly in ambiguous, high-pressure environments
  • Sharp strategic thinking and analytical horsepower—able to synthesize complexity, uncover insights, and drive to clarity
  • Proven experience leading initiatives across functions with minimal structure, and bringing others along through influence rather than authority
  • Willingness to operate across altitudes, from high-level strategy to fine-grain operational detail, with humility and stamina
  • A track record of building trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders and leading with a customer- and company-first mindset

Responsibilities

  • Optimize the CEO’s time and impact by streamlining planning cadences, meeting structures, and material preparation, ensuring executive engagement is always high-leverage
  • Provide strategic counsel and data-driven insights to the CEO on emergent issues, organizational dynamics, and company-wide initiatives
  • Serve as a thought partner and connector across the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), fostering alignment and surfacing opportunities, risks, and trade-offs
  • Lead and drive unowned strategic analyses and projects that span multiple functions or lack a clear home, delivering insights that shape high-stakes decisions
  • Run the operational rhythms of the Office of the CEO, including ELT meetings, Board interface, planning cycles, and cross-functional cadences
  • Represent the CEO in key internal and external interactions, ensuring alignment with Upwork’s strategic priorities and culture
  • Elevate the effectiveness of the CEO’s immediate team by offering strategic guidance, refining outputs, and enhancing cross-functional collaboration

Skills

Strategic Planning
Executive Communication
Data Analysis
Project Management
Leadership Alignment
Risk Assessment

Upwork

Online platform connecting freelancers and clients

About Upwork

Upwork connects freelancers with clients looking for various services in the gig economy, which focuses on short-term contracts instead of permanent jobs. The platform allows freelancers to create profiles that showcase their skills, while clients can post job listings for specific projects. Freelancers bid on these projects, and clients choose the best candidates based on proposals and reviews. Upwork earns revenue through service fees charged to freelancers based on their earnings, with a tiered structure that rewards long-term client relationships. The platform also offers premium memberships and additional services for enhanced visibility and access to job listings. Upwork provides tools for time tracking, invoicing, and project management, making it easier for both freelancers and clients to manage their work and payments. The goal of Upwork is to facilitate successful project completion by bridging the gap between freelancers and clients.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2015Year Founded
$143.8MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Consulting, Enterprise SoftwareIndustries
10,001+Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Unlimited Paid Time Off
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Parental Leave
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Risks

Increased competition from Fiverr and Toptal threatens Upwork's market share.
The new Fiverr-style Project Catalog may commoditize services, reducing freelancers' perceived value.
Strategic shifts under new management may not align with current client expectations.

Differentiation

Upwork connects freelancers with clients across diverse industries, enhancing global work opportunities.
The platform offers tools like time tracking and invoicing for efficient project management.
Upwork's tiered fee structure incentivizes long-term client relationships, differentiating it from competitors.

Upsides

Upwork's acquisition of Objective AI enhances its AI capabilities for better talent matching.
The introduction of Featured Jobs increases visibility for job posts, attracting more candidates.
Upwork's recognition as the top job posting site boosts its credibility among employers.

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