Manager, Partnerships Card Issuing

Strategic Partnerships Manager – Card Issuing

About the Role

We are seeking a Strategic Partnerships Manager to lead the development and management of high-impact partner relationships that drive card issuing growth and customer acquisition. This role will own the full partnership lifecycle—from identification and negotiation to onboarding and performance oversight—ensuring commercial objectives are met while maintaining full compliance with regulatory and operational requirements. You will collaborate closely with product, sales, operations, and risk teams to deliver innovative card solutions, strengthen partner engagement, and maximize portfolio profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize strategic partnership opportunities that align with business growth and card issuing goals.
• Lead end-to-end partner negotiations, structuring agreements that balance commercial outcomes with compliance and risk standards.
• Manage the onboarding process for new partners, coordinating cross-functionally to ensure seamless integration and operational readiness.
• Drive ongoing partner performance management by tracking key metrics, conducting regular business reviews, and optimizing collaboration to achieve portfolio targets.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity to uncover new partnership channels and innovative card solutions.
• Partner with product, sales, operations, and risk teams to align partnership strategies with company objectives and regulatory frameworks.
• Resolve operational or compliance issues in partnership activities, ensuring all engagements adhere to internal policies and external regulations.
• Report on partnership outcomes, providing insights and recommendations to leadership to inform strategy and resource allocation.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years in strategic partnerships, business development, or account management within financial services, fintech, or payments, with a focus on card issuing or lending products.
• Skills: Strong negotiation, contract management, and analytical abilities; proficiency in performance tracking and reporting.
• Knowledge: Deep understanding of card issuing economics, compliance requirements (e.g., KYC, AML), and operational processes.
• Collaboration: Proven track record of working cross-functionally with product, sales, operations, and risk teams to deliver results.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or a related field; MBA preferred.

What We Offer

An opportunity to own a critical growth lever in a fast-paced, purpose-driven organization. You will work alongside talented teams to shape the future of card issuing through strategic partnerships, with competitive compensation and professional development support.