Job description
Affirm is reinventing credit to make it more honest and friendly, giving consumers the flexibility to buy now and pay later without any hidden fees or compounding interest.
We are seeking a highly accomplished and results-oriented Senior Director of Business Development to lead our strategic partnership efforts within key distribution channels. This pivotal role will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, signing, and critically, activating and scaling impactful partnerships across Payment Service Providers (PSPs), Gateways, E-commerce Platforms, and emerging verticals such as Travel and Invoicing. This leader will directly contribute to Affirm’s strategic imperative of accelerating product distribution through scalable solutions.
Reporting directly to the VP of SMB and Distribution Partnerships, the Senior Director will lead and mentor a team of approximately 5 Business Development professionals, driving the identification and execution of high-value partnerships that significantly expand Affirm’s reach and drive merchant adoption.
What you’ll do
- Strategic Partnership Development: Define and execute a comprehensive strategy for identifying, prioritizing, and securing strategic partnerships within target verticals (PSPs, Gateways, E-commerce Platforms, Travel, Invoicing, etc.).
- End-to-End Partnership Lifecycle: Lead the full partnership lifecycle, from initial opportunity identification and qualification through negotiation, contract execution, and successful activation and ongoing management.
- Activation and Scalability Focus: Develop and implement robust activation plans in collaboration with internal teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing, Sales) to ensure signed partnerships translate into significant merchant adoption and transaction volume. Possess a deep understanding of how to effectively capitalize on partnerships beyond initial signing.
- Team Leadership and Development: Build, lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of Business Development professionals, fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment. Set clear goals, provide coaching and development opportunities, and drive team success.
- Market Expertise and Insights: Maintain a deep understanding of the payments landscape, industry trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities within target verticals. Leverage this knowledge to inform partnership strategy and identify innovative collaboration models.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Product, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Legal, and Finance teams to ensure seamless partnership integration, activation, and ongoing success.
- Executive Communication: Effectively communicate partnership strategy, progress, and key performance indicators to senior leadership.
- Performance Management: Establish and track key performance metrics for partnership success, ensuring the team meets and exceeds targets for signed partnerships and activation goals.
- Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain strong, executive-level relationships with key partners.
What we look for
- 10 years of progressive experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or related roles within the payments industry, financial technology, or closely related sectors.
- Proven track record of sourcing, negotiating, and successfully signing significant strategic partnerships that have driven substantial business growth.
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing successful partnership activation strategies that result in tangible outcomes (e.g., merchant adoption, transaction volume).
- Strong understanding of the ecosystem within PSPs, Gateways, E-commerce Platforms, and ideally, experience in emerging verticals like Travel and Invoicing.
- Exceptional leadership skills with a proven ability to build, lead, and motivate high-performing teams.
- Deep knowledge of partnership models, contract negotiation, and financial implications.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop data-driven strategies and track performance.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Willingness to travel as needed.
Pay Grade - P
Equity Grade - 16
Employees new to Affirm typically come in at the start of the pay range. Affirm focuses on providing a simple and transparent pay structure which is based on a variety of factors, including location, experience and job-related skills. For sales roles, the range provided is the role’s On Target Earnings (“OTE”) range, which includes the annual base pay and the sales incentive target.
Base pay is part of a total compensation package that may include equity rewards, monthly stipends for health, wellness and tech spending, and benefits (including 100% subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision for you and your dependents.)
USA On Target Earnings (CA, WA, NY, NJ, CT) per year: $337,500 - $412,500
USA On Target Earnings (all other U.S. states) per year: $300,000 - $375,000
Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
#LI-Remote
Affirm is proud to be a remote-first company! The majority of our roles are remote and you can work almost anywhere within the country of employment. Affirmers in proximal roles have the flexibility to work remotely, but will occasionally be required to work out of their assigned Affirm office. A limited number of roles remain office-based due to the nature of their job responsibilities.
We’re extremely proud to offer competitive benefits that are anchored to our core value of people come first. Some key highlights of our benefits package include:
- Health care coverage - Affirm covers all premiums for all levels of coverage for you and your dependents
- Flexible Spending Wallets - generous stipends for spending on Technology, Food, various Lifestyle needs, and family forming expenses
- Time off - competitive vacation and holiday schedules allowing you to take time off to rest and recharge
- ESPP - An employee stock purchase plan enabling you to buy shares of Affirm at a discount
We believe It’s On Us to provide an inclusive interview experience for all, including people with disabilities. We are happy to provide reasonable accommodations to candidates in need of individualized support during the hiring process.
[For U.S. positions that could be performed in Los Angeles or San Francisco] Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Affirm will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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