Head of Private Banking & Partnerships

Bison Bank; Lisboa; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Bison Bank in Lisbon, Portugal, seeks an ambitious Head of Private Banking & Partnerships to lead Private Banking and partnerships across markets and client segments.

Reporting to the Executive Committee, you will drive client acquisition, wealth management solutions, and commercial growth, transforming strategic priorities into measurable outcomes, sustainable revenue, and long-term franchise value.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Private Banking or Wealth Management.
• Proven track record in client acquisition and revenue growth.
• Experience leading cross-market teams.
• Strong governance and regulatory awareness.
• Fluency in English; other languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead Private Banking division and UHNW client service teams.
• Drive assets under management, client acquisition, revenues and profitability.
• Strengthen advisory capabilities and wealth management proposition.
• Foster a client-centric culture focused on long-term relationships.
• Establish clear commercial objectives and performance standards.

Skills

Private Banking

Wealth Management

Business Development

Partnerships

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Job description

Bison Bank is one of Europe's most distinctive banking platforms, combining international private banking, strategic partnerships, wealth management, regulated digital asset services, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

We are looking for an ambitious and commercially driven Head of Private Banking & Partnerships to lead one of the Bank's most strategic functions and play a central role in our next phase of growth.

Reporting directly to the Executive Committee, this leader will oversee the Bank's Private Banking and Partnership activities, driving client acquisition, relationship development, commercial performance, and strategic execution across multiple markets and client segments.

This role offers a unique opportunity to lead an established Private Banking franchise while helping shape the future evolution of a growing international bank.

Your Mission

You will lead the commercial execution of the Bank's growth agenda across private clients, strategic partnerships, new market opportunities, and wealth management solutions.

Working closely with the Executive Committee and alongside the Bank's Marketing, Product and Revenue Growth teams, you will transform strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes, sustainable revenue growth, and long-term franchise value.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Bank's Private Banking division and a team of highly qualified professionals serving High-Net-Worth and Ultra-High-Net-Worth clients.


• Drive growth in assets under management, client acquisition, revenues, profitability, and client satisfaction.


• Strengthen the Bank's advisory capabilities and wealth management proposition.


• Foster a client-centric culture focused on long-term relationships and exceptional service quality.


• Establish clear commercial objectives and performance standards across the Private Banking organization.

Partnerships & Business Development

• Develop and expand strategic partnerships capable of generating sustainable client acquisition and long-term business value.


• Lead the acquisition of new private, corporate, and institutional clients through direct and partnership-driven channels.


• Identify new market opportunities, client segments, and international business development initiatives.


• Build scalable commercial engines through referral ecosystems, strategic alliances, and innovative collaboration models.


• Represent the Bank in strategic business relationships, industry networks, and commercial negotiations.

Commercial Growth & Strategic Execution

• Translate the Bank's strategic priorities into actionable commercial initiatives and measurable results.


• Work closely with the Marketing, Product and Revenue Growth teams to design and execute acquisition, engagement, cross-selling and partnership initiatives.


• Contribute to the development of innovative products, services, and client solutions.


• Support initiatives involving digital assets, wealth technology, and emerging financial services.


• Identify market trends and transform emerging opportunities into actionable business plans.


• Monitor business performance through KPIs, revenue metrics, and client growth indicators.

Leadership & Governance

• Lead, inspire, and develop high-performing teams.


• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.


• Prepare and present business plans, performance reports, and strategic recommendations to the Executive Committee.


• Represent the Bank in conferences, business forums, industry events, and international initiatives.


• Ensure strong governance, compliance, risk management, and regulatory alignment across all activities.

What We're Looking For

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in Private Banking, Wealth Management, Business Development, Partnerships, or related leadership roles.


• Proven track record of growing client franchises, assets under management, revenues, and commercial performance.


• Demonstrated success in client acquisition, strategic partnerships, and business development.


• Experience leading high-performing client-facing teams.


• Strong ability to combine strategic thinking with disciplined execution.

Leadership Characteristics

We are particularly interested in leaders who:

• Think like entrepreneurs while operating with the discipline expected in a regulated banking environment.


• Are passionate about business growth, innovation, and relationship building.


• Enjoy creating opportunities rather than simply managing existing activities.


• Have strong credibility with entrepreneurs, investors, high-net-worth clients, and senior stakeholders.


• Are comfortable operating in international and fast-evolving environments.


• Demonstrate strong ownership, resilience, and execution capabilities.


• Can mobilize teams around ambitious goals and deliver measurable outcomes.

Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of Private Banking, Wealth Management, Investment Solutions, and Financial Markets.


• Knowledge of digital assets, fintech, or emerging financial technologies will be considered a significant advantage.


• Understanding of banking regulation, governance, risk management, and compliance requirements.


• Fluency in English is required; additional languages are considered an asset.

Why Join Bison Bank?

This is a unique opportunity to join a growing international bank at a pivotal moment in its development.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Lead a €2bn+ Private Banking platform.


• Shape the commercial future of the Bank.


• Work directly with the Executive Committee on key strategic initiatives.


• Develop international partnerships and business opportunities.


• Contribute to innovative wealth management and digital asset initiatives.


• Build lasting impact within one of Europe's most entrepreneurial banking platforms.