Head of Strategic Partnerships

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Head of Strategic Partnerships based in the United States. The Head of Strategic Partnerships will lead the development and expansion of a high-impact partner ecosystem that drives revenue growth and broadens access to retirement solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. This senior leadership role combines strategic planning, complex dealmaking, team development, and commercial execution in a fast-growing fintech environment. You will identify and secure high-value partnerships across payroll providers, benefits brokers, financial institutions, accounting firms, professional employer organizations, and embedded fintech channels. Working closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams, you will build scalable distribution strategies, strengthen partner relationships, and translate market opportunities into measurable business results. The role requires a hands-on leader who can navigate complex negotiations, model channel economics, and build new partnership channels from the ground up. This is an opportunity to shape a critical growth function while helping more employees access retirement savings and long-term financial security.

Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing strategic partnerships team, fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, strategic thinking, and effective deal execution. Define and execute the partnership strategy, prioritizing channels, partner categories, and opportunities that offer the greatest potential for sustainable revenue growth. Personally source, pursue, and establish new strategic relationships across payroll providers, benefits brokers, accountants, financial institutions, professional employer organizations, and embedded fintech distribution partners. Lead high-stakes negotiations and close complex, high-value, multi-year commercial and distribution agreements with strategic partners. Develop scalable partnership processes, playbooks, operating systems, and performance frameworks that support team growth and long-term partner success. Establish clear team objectives, key performance indicators, and revenue targets, regularly monitoring performance and providing coaching to drive results. Oversee deal structuring and execution from initial opportunity through negotiation and launch, collaborating with legal and finance teams to protect business interests and ensure commercially sound agreements. Work cross-functionally with product, engineering, marketing, legal, sales, and operations teams to scope integrations, develop co-marketing initiatives, and operationalize partner-generated demand. Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders at partner organizations, representing the business with credibility and communicating its value proposition effectively. Translate partnership strategy, pipeline performance, commercial opportunities, and results into clear updates and recommendations for executive leadership. Monitor developments across fintech, retirement services, wealth management, payroll, benefits, and financial services to identify emerging opportunities, competitive threats, and relevant regulatory changes. Evaluate partnership economics, model potential channel performance, and make data-informed decisions about investment priorities and resource allocation. Collaborate with senior partnerships leadership to expand the ecosystem, deepen integrations, improve partner performance, and deliver measurable contributions to the revenue plan. Requirements: At least 10 years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, channel sales, or a related commercial function, with a proven record of personally building and growing strategic partnerships. At least 5 years of experience leading, mentoring, and scaling high-performing teams, including enabling team members to achieve ambitious revenue objectives. Demonstrated success sourcing, structuring, negotiating, and closing complex, high-value partnership or distribution agreements with measurable commercial impact. Significant experience in fintech, retirement or wealth management, payroll, employee benefits, financial services, or a closely related industry. Strong understanding of partner-driven distribution models, including how potential partners evaluate, purchase, integrate, and commercialize new solutions. Proven ability to influence and mobilize cross-functional teams across product, engineering, marketing, legal, sales, and operations without relying on direct reporting authority. Exceptional executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to negotiate effectively and build trusted relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders. Strong commercial and financial acumen, including the ability to model channel economics, assess deal structures, evaluate return on investment, and prioritize opportunities strategically. Experience creating scalable processes, playbooks, and operational frameworks that enable partnership teams to grow beyond individual contributors. A builder’s mindset, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, establish new partnership channels, and introduce structure and momentum in a fast-moving organization. Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to connect partnership activity to broader business objectives and revenue outcomes. A collaborative, accountable, and customer-focused approach, with a commitment to long-term relationship building, independent decision-making, and continuous improvement. The ability to balance hands-on business development and negotiation with team leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development. Benefits: Total on-target earnings (OTE): $700,000 , comprising a base salary of $350,000 and target variable compensation of $350,000. Compensation tailored to relevant skills, experience, and labor market considerations. Stock option grants, providing an opportunity to participate in long-term company growth. 401(k) retirement plan with a dollar-for-dollar employer match of up to 4% of compensation, immediately vested, with no plan fees. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance. Competitive paid time off and parental leave. Access to financial wellness resources through Addition Wealth, including digital tools, financial professionals, and educational materials. Enhanced mental health support for employees and dependents through Lyra. Fertility care and family-forming benefits through Carrot. Student loan planning and repayment resources through Candidly. Monthly work-from-home stipend. Quarterly lifestyle stipend. Team-building activities, including virtual social events and team offsites. The opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization focused on expanding access to retirement benefits and improving long-term financial security for employees at small and medium-sized businesses.