Head of Business Development & Partnership

PalmPay; Islamabad; On-site; PKR 2,750,000 - 3,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fintech company in Pakistan is seeking a Head of Business Development & Partnership to lead and execute partnership strategies in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will have 8–12 years of experience in business development within fintech, strong negotiation skills, and established relationships in the financial sector. This role offers a competitive compensation package, performance bonuses, and the opportunity to shape growth in a high-growth industry.

Benefits

Competitive senior-leadership compensation

Performance-based bonuses

Health insurance

Paid leave

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of experience in business development, partnerships or strategic alliances within fintech or banks.
• Expertise in EMI/PSP partnerships or mobile payments platforms.
• Fluency in English and Urdu.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the partnership strategy for Pakistan.
• Drive revenue through partner-led growth of products.
• Oversee the partnership lifecycle from identification to management.

Skills

Business Development

Partnership Strategy

Negotiation Skills

Stakeholder Management

Commercial Acumen

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance

MBA preferred

Job description

About PalmPay

PalmPay is a leading neobank and fintech platform scaling financial inclusion across emerging markets. With over 40 million users, we are building a digital financial ecosystem that empowers individuals and businesses through accessible, easy-to-use, and rewarding financial services.

Operating in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, PalmPay has been recognised by CNBC as one of the Top 300 Global Fintech Companies and ranked #2 overall and #1 in financial services on the Financial Times’ Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies 2025 list.

Position Overview

We are looking for a dynamic and strategic leader to fill the role of Head of Business Development & Partnership in Pakistan. This role will lead the articulation and execution of the partnership strategy with EMI/PSP platforms and major financial institutions. The ideal candidate will have deep experience building and scaling fintech partnerships, especially within EMI/PSP or mobile payments ecosystems, and bring an established senior‑level network in banks, telcos, and fintechs.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Strategy & Market Engagement

• Develop and execute the overall business development and partnership strategy for Pakistan, focusing heavily on EMI/PSP and banking alliances
• Identify, engage, and negotiate with top EMI/PSP players and banks to drive co‑branded products, payment infrastructure and distribution partnerships
• Cultivate and leverage a senior‑level network within banks, telcos, mobile money operators, and payment service providers for strategic partnership opportunities

Business Growth & Revenue Generation

• Drive revenue through partner‑led growth of PalmPay’s products (wallets, payments, lending, merchant services) by leveraging distribution and EMI/PSP channels
• Define partnership business models, commercial terms, pricing frameworks and incentive structures to maximise ROI and partner motivation
• Monitor performance metrics and partner contributions to ensure profitability and scalability

Operational & Execution Oversight

• Oversee the end‑to‑end partnership lifecycle: from partner identification, contract negotiation, integration planning, go‑live, to ongoing performance management
• Ensure operational alignment between PalmPay teams (Product, Tech, Finance, Compliance) and partner organisations for smooth onboarding and scaling
• Manage risk, compliance and regulatory matters tied to partnerships—including settlement flows, reconciliation processes, and EMI/PSP regulations

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Innovation

• Collaborate with Product and Technology teams to develop new fintech solutions that leverage partner platforms (EMI, PSP, bank networks) and drive competitive advantage
• Work with Marketing, Sales and Operations teams to launch partner‑driven campaigns, merchant onboarding, and customer acquisition initiatives
• Provide market insights and competitive intelligence around EMI/PSP ecosystems, payment trends, product innovations and channel opportunities

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; MBA preferred
• Minimum 8–12 years of progressive experience in business development, partnerships or strategic alliances within fintech, EMI/PSP organisations, banks, or mobile payments
• Demonstrated expertise in EMI/PSP partnerships, mobile payments platforms, or payment service providers
• Established relationships and senior‑level contacts in Pakistani banks, EMI/PSP platforms, telcos and payment networks
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and ability to structure complex deals and partnerships
• Experience overseeing cross‑functional teams and driving execution in high‑growth fintech settings
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; fluency in English and Urdu is required

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive senior‑leadership compensation package, aligned with market benchmarks
• Performance‑based bonuses and long‑term incentives
• Festival bonuses and mobile/internet allowance
• Health insurance, paid leave and other standard benefits
• Opportunity to lead and shape the partnership engine of a high‑growth multinational fintech in Pakistan