Head of Strategic Partnerships

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.

• 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.