Strategic Business Development Manager

Act-On Software; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Act-On Software, the world's leading growth marketing automation platform, is seeking a strategic Business Development Manager focused on the Financial Services vertical in Portland, OR. You will identify and cultivate technology partnerships with ISVs, CORE Banking platforms, and other FinServ tech to build a durable, high-value ecosystem.

You will co-design joint value propositions, drive GTM campaigns, and coordinate with Product and Marketing to create mutually beneficial opportunities.

Qualifications

• 2+ years as an Investment Banking Analyst or Associate or 4+ years in strategic partnerships within enterprise SaaS, ideally FinTech.
• Proven ability to build a partnership from the ground up and navigate long, multi-stakeholder sales cycles in regulated industries.
• Strong understanding of how software platforms connect via APIs and integrations, particularly in martech or sales tech.
• Direct experience selling into Financial Services (Credit Unions, Banks, Wealth Management/Financial Advisors, or Insurance).
• Excellent presentation, negotiation, and executive relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify & Evaluate: Map the Financial Services technology ecosystem and evaluate strongest strategic partners for Act-On.
• Build Relationships: Be the primary contact for new FinServ tech partners, guiding senior leadership and partner teams.
• Develop Joint Value Propositions: Define the 'better together' story for each integration with Product and Marketing.
• Drive Go-To-Market (GTM) Strategy: Design and execute co-marketing and co-selling campaigns to generate referrals and pipeline.
• Enablement: Educate partner sales and customer success teams on Act-On's capabilities and joint opportunities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the voice of the partner internally, coordinating with API/Product teams for seamless integrations.
• Industry Presence: Represent Act-On at FinServ trade shows and events to build visibility.

Skills

Strategic Dealmaking

Partnership Development

Tech Integration

MarTech Experience

Executive Relationship Management

Financial Services Industry

API Integrations

Sales Alignment

Job description

Act-On Software is the world's leading growth marketing automation platform, helping thousands of marketers drive incredible business outcomes. We provide the tools marketers need to create highly engaging customer experiences, drive pipeline, and grow their businesses. At Act-On, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional value to our customers, and our partner ecosystem is a critical component of that success.

The Role

We're looking for a strategic, relationship-driven Business Development Manager to focus primarily on our Financial Services vertical. In this role, you will identify and cultivate technology partnerships with the software providers that Credit Unions, Regional Banks, Wealth Management firms, and Insurance agencies already rely on — building an ecosystem, not a lead list.

You'll target Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) — specialized CRMs, CORE Banking platforms, and other industry-specific technology — whose products naturally complement and integrate with Act-On's marketing automation platform. Your goal is to build durable, high-value partnerships that create mutual value, co-marketing opportunities, and net-new revenue pipeline for both Act-On and our partners.

What You Will Do

• Identify & Evaluate: Map the Financial Services technology ecosystem (CRMs, CORE Banking, Loan Origination Systems, etc.) and evaluate which partners represent the strongest strategic fit for Act-On.
• Build Relationships: Serve as the primary point of contact for new FinServ tech partners, building trust with their leadership, product, and partner sales teams over the course of a considered, often lengthy relationship-building process.
• Develop Joint Value Propositions: Work closely with Product and Marketing to define the "better together" story for each integration, ensuring it resonates with Credit Unions, Regional Banks, and Wealth Managers.
• Drive Go-To-Market (GTM) Strategy: Design and execute co-marketing and co-selling campaigns that generate qualified referral leads and source new pipeline for the Act-On sales team.
• Enablement: Educate partner sales and customer success teams on Act-On's capabilities and how to identify joint opportunities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the voice of the partner internally, working with API/Product teams to facilitate seamless technical integrations.
• Industry Presence: Represent Act-On at relevant Financial Services trade shows and industry events to build visibility and relationships.

What You Bring (Qualifications)

• Experience: 2+ years as an Investment Banking Analyst or Associate or 4+ years in Strategic Partnerships, Business Development, or Corporate Development within enterprise SaaS — ideally structuring technology integration partnerships in Fin Tech rather than traditional reseller/channel programs.
• Strategic Dealmaking: Proven ability to build a partnership from the ground up and navigate complex, multi-stakeholder relationships over long sales cycles, particularly in regulated industries.
• Tech-Savvy: Strong understanding of how software platforms connect via APIs and integrations, particularly in martech or sales tech.
• Consultative Sales Acumen: Ability to align partner incentives with Act-On's revenue goals and build a joint business case that both sides believe in.
• Communication: Exceptional presentation, negotiation, and executive relationship-building skills.
• Industry Expertise: Direct experience working in or selling into Financial Services (Credit Unions, Regional Banks, Wealth Management/Financial Advisors, or Insurance).
• Ecosystem Knowledge: Familiarity with FinServ tech stacks (e.g., specialized FinServ CRMs, Fiserv, Jack Henry, Symitar, Guidewire, etc.).
• MarTech Background: Prior experience in the Marketing Automation space.