Senior Account Executive / Country Lead Italy

Senior Account Executive / Country Lead Italy

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About Swan
Swan is Europe’s embedded banking specialist. We empower software companies to embed banking features like accounts, cards, and payments directly into their products, under their own brand. Swan processes over €1.5 billion in monthly transactions for more than 150 companies, including Pennylane, Indy, Agicap, Libeo, and Lucca. Founded in 2019, Swan has growth capital from Lakestar, Accel, Creandum, Bpifrance, and Eight Roads. Swan is a principal member of Mastercard and a licensed financial institution regulated by the French banking authority (ACPR).

Job description
Swan is looking for a Country Lead Italy. Based in Milano, this role leads our new business sales motion in Italy and supports retention efforts. In the first 1–2 years, success is measured by sourcing and closing strategic partnerships and growing them to deliver full potential. You will help Swan expand in Italy and transition toward a role with more focus on existing partners. You will aim to secure long-term relationships with strategic clients and help them maximize the platform’s value.

You will be the face of Swan in the region, representing the company at events, on LinkedIn, and in the press. You will be Swan's Legal Representative and, with our Italian MLRO, manage relationships with the local regulator. You will advocate for Italy internally at Swan, pushing product requirements and localization and voicing partner and end-user needs. You will collaborate with the Head of Sales in Barcelona to lead the Milano office initially solo, with potential for a new hire in the coming years. This is a hybrid role requiring hands-on involvement and an ability to hunt prospects, close deals, and lead on larger opportunities with team support.

Responsibilities

• Be accountable for new business revenue and new client acquisition in our enterprise segment. Develop a consultative and solution-based sales approach to meet customer needs.
• Represent the Strategic Account Management team locally, ensuring partners are well supported and that product is localized.
• Develop outbound strategies with the support of sales and growth teams to create and nurture opportunities.
• Serve as the internal and external point of contact for marketing and PR activities in Italy.
• Build Swan’s offer to tackle new verticals.
• Be the voice and face of Swan for the region at events and in the press.
• Attend industry events to meet prospects and identify new opportunities.
• Manage relationships with local regulators to ensure compliance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to shape Swan’s solutions to meet customer needs.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of sales experience, ideally selling a technical product in Fintech or Payments, with international/European exposure.
• Experience with outbound prospecting.
• Passion for startups and new technology in business software.
• Ability to understand and translate technical concepts into business terms.
• Proven ability to sell and manage large accounts with long sales cycles.
• Strong interpersonal skills, teamwork, and a collaborative spirit.
• Italian native or bilingual with professional English proficiency.
• Empathetic, skilled, and collaborative mindset; willingness to challenge and be challenged.

Note: It’s okay if you don’t tick all the boxes — we encourage you to apply. Swan is committed to a caring work environment for all employees and values diversity. Recruitment emphasizes work experience, skills, and personality; we are taking steps to improve in this area.

Recruitment process

• 30-minute video call with the Talent Acquisition Manager
• Interview with Victor, Head of International
• Peer interview
• Interview with Julio, Head of Sales
• Business case and final interview with Luka, CRO