Strategic Partnerships Director

Strategic Account DirectorAt Early Warning, we've powered and protected the U.S. financial system for over thirty years with cutting-edge solutions like Zelle, Paze?, and so much more. As a trusted name in payments, we partner with thousands of institutions to increase access to financial services and protect transactions for hundreds of millions of consumers and small businesses.Positions located in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago, or New York follow a hybrid work model to allow for a more collaborative working environment.Candidates responding to this posting must independently possess the eligibility to work in the United States, for any employer, at the date of hire. This position is ineligible for employment Visa sponsorship.Overall PurposeThe Strategic Account Director is responsible for Paze's strategic partnerships with card networks and payments ecosystem service providers. This role drives partner strategy and manages senior relationships to ensure Paze's top partnerships grow and thrive over time. The Strategic Account Director will play a critical role in the early success and growth of Paze by deepening existing partnerships, launching new strategic partnerships, iterating on go-to-market approach and helping to build out the strategic accounts team.Essential FunctionsDevelops trusted, influential relationships with key decision makers at our largest, most strategic partners.Primary owner of assigned strategic accounts, requiring expertise of partner organizational structure and decision making.Creates proposals, business cases and execution plans for win:win initiatives in collaboration with partner teams.Develops overall strategic account plan in close coordination with Paze cross-functional teams and senior leadership.Recruits, launches, and develops select new strategic partnerships.Drives and meets Paze KPIs via strategic partners.Evaluates program trends and provides analysis and recommendations to management.Plays a key role in defining product market fit for Paze products.Supports financial analyses, long-range forecasting and analytics associated with key partnerships.Monitors competitor activity in accounts and implements strategies to drive Paze prioritization.Provides effective leadership to strategic accounts team.Minimum QualificationsEducation and experience typically obtained through completion of a bachelor's degree in business, finance, or related field.10+ years in partner-management roles, such as business development, relationship management, and/or consulting.8+ years of experience working on financial services products, including payments.Demonstrated knowledge of payment network technology, governance and economics.Experience managing complex strategic accounts with multiple decision makers.Proven ability to develop and foster impactful relationships with senior leadership.Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong internal and external relationships.Track record of driving change and accomplishing strategic objectives within partner organizations.Consultative, conceptual, and strategic selling skills.Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to recruit top talent and motivate a high-performance team.Executive communication skills, including strong written communication and presentation skills.Strong analytical skills, capable of evaluating opportunities from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives.Self-starter who is capable of delivering results within a dynamic environment.Ability to travel up to 30%.Background check and drug screen.Preferred QualificationsExperience working as a partner of a payment network (e.g., issuers, acquirer, etc.)Deep payments expertise, namely in digital wallets, tokenization, and eCommerce and NFC payments.Product development experience and passion for great consumer financial products.MBA.Physical RequirementsWorking conditions consist of a normal office environment. Work is primarily sedentary and requires extensive use of a computer and involves sitting for periods of approximately four hours. Work may require occasional standing, walking, kneeling and reaching. Must be able to lift 10 pounds occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently. Requires visual acuity and dexterity to view, prepare, and manipulate documents and office equipment including personal computers. Requires the ability to communicate with internal and/or external customers and travel.Employee must be able to perform essential functions and physical requirements of position with or without reasonable accommodation.