Strategic Partnerships Manager - Automotive

Pay Junction; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401k with 6% match

Paid Time Off

Home office equipment stipend

Annual Learning Stipend

Job summary

Pay Junction in Santa Barbara is seeking a Strategic Partnership Manager to develop strategic partnerships that drive merchant acquisition and revenue growth. The ideal candidate will have 2+ years of experience in the automotive industry, focusing on building relationships with dealerships and technology providers.

This role offers flexibility to work either remotely or from the office. Pay Junction values long-term relationships and offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, a 401k with company matching, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in business development or strategic partnerships within the automotive industry.
• Proven track record of developing relationships with industry stakeholders.
• Experience with negotiations and managing complex partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Identify and recruit new strategic partners in the automotive ecosystem.
• Build relationships with dealership groups and other industry stakeholders.
• Negotiate mutually beneficial partnership opportunities.

Skills

Business development

Strategic partnerships

Channel sales

Negotiation

Salesforce

Communication

Job description

We are seeking a Strategic Partnership Manager to identify, recruit, activate, and develop strategic partnerships across the automotive ecosystem that drive merchant acquisition, partner‑sourced pipeline, and long‑term revenue growth. This role will develop relationships with consultants, technology providers, dealer groups, associations, service providers, and other industry influencers that collectively drive merchant acquisition and partner‑sourced pipeline for PayJunction.

Why PayJunction?

PayJunction is relentless and emphatic about helping others. We exist to drive the success of our partners. Specifically, the developers who connect to us, businesses who process payments through us, and all of our team members who work with us at PayJunction.

We believe dreams inspire people to start a business, and others to partner with them. While building dreams, entrepreneurs and business professionals will face many challenges along the way. We believe great partners can make all the difference.

We are your dream partner. Your success is our success. Our dream is to help you realize yours.

We exist to drive the success of our partners. We do this by fundamentally changing the way you transact with others. We just happen to make great payment systems. If you love helping others succeed, in a culture that celebrates perfecting your craft, consider partnering with us.

Location

PayJunction takes a Flex First approach to work environments. This means that our team members can choose to work from our Santa Barbara office or remotely from home. We ensure that everyone has the resources and equipment to work where they feel most productive. We trust our teams to make the best decision for their work environment. All PayJunction employees must reside in one of the following states: CA, IL, TX, MN, CO, GA, NY, MA, CT.

Mission

The Strategic Partnerships team's mission is to build scalable distribution channels that drive merchant acquisition, revenue growth, and long‑term strategic value for PayJunction. We accomplish this by developing high‑impact partnerships that influence payment workflows, create merchant demand, and expand PayJunction's presence within key vertical ecosystems.

Vision

The Strategic Partnerships team's vision is to build the most influential partnership ecosystem in the industry, creating a sustainable competitive advantage through strategic relationships that consistently generate qualified merchant opportunities and growth.

Responsibilities

• Identify and recruit new strategic partners within the automotive ecosystem.
• Build and maintain relationships with dealership groups, consultants, associations, technology providers, fixed operations organizations, and other industry stakeholders.
• Develop partnership strategies, business cases, and value propositions tailored to target partner segments.
• Generate qualified merchant opportunities through partner‑sourced referrals and ecosystem relationships.
• Maintain and progress an active partnership pipeline within Salesforce.
• Conduct discovery meetings, presentations, and partnership discussions with prospective partners.
• Negotiate and structure mutually beneficial partnership opportunities.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Product, Sales, and Operations teams to support successful partnership launches and go‑to‑market initiatives.
• Conduct market research and ecosystem analysis to identify emerging opportunities and industry trends.
• Represent PayJunction at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of business development, strategic partnerships, channel sales, ecosystem development, or related experience – exclusively within the automotive industry.
• Demonstrated success developing net‑new relationships with dealership groups, automotive technology providers, consultants, associations, fixed operations organizations, or similar industry stakeholders.
• Experience developing presentations, business cases, and partnership value propositions for executive and operational stakeholders.
• Ability to identify, research, and engage high‑value organizations and decision makers.
• Experience negotiating partnership opportunities and managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms.
• Strong communication, relationship‑building, and business development skills.

About PayJunction

Founded in 2000 by three UCSB graduates, PayJunction has grown from a bootstrapped startup to a recognized and respected leader in the payments industry. PayJunction processes more than $12 billion dollars annually for thousands of businesses with solutions that make it easy to accept credit and debit card payments in‑store, online, and on‑the‑go.

Our people‑first culture values long‑term relationships over short‑term profits. Honesty and integrity are part of every interaction with partners, customers and employees. We foster a collaborative work environment, where creative ideas are welcomed, teams are inspired, and success is celebrated. PayJunction is a place where you can find experienced mentors and supportive friends who are committed to your growth.

Total Rewards Plan

• Health, dental, and vision paid 100% by company for you and your dependents
• 401k with 6% match
• FSA and Dependent Care FSA
• Long‑term & short‑term disability coverage for you paid 100% by company
• 8 paid company holidays per year
• 2 paid floating holidays per year
• 1 paid volunteer day per year
• Paid Time Off
• Home office equipment stipend
• Annual Learning Stipend
• Quarterly “fun budgets” for team bonding events
• Opportunity to be part of a company that is changing a whole industry
• Opportunity for growth within the company
• Opportunity for remote, in‑office, or hybrid work

Office Environment

• The opportunity to choose the work environment that best suits you – remote, in‑office, or hybrid.
• All remote & hybrid team members can enjoy:
  • Company‑provided equipment for your home office
  • An equipment allowance for home office essentials
  • The opportunity to work at one of Glassdoor's Top 30 Best Places to Work in the US, 2020!
• Those who choose to come into the office can look forward to:
  • Bright and open offices in downtown Santa Barbara
  • Stocked snack kitchens
  • Collaborative work spaces with Herman Miller chairs, height‑adjustable desks, and a large 32‑inch monitor
  • Dog‑friendly office

Company Values

• Build the Dream
• Put People First
• Value Long Term Relationships Over Short Term Profit
• Make it Simple
• Be Data Driven
• Own It

The base salary range for this role is $90,000–$110,000/year plus commission plus our Total Reward Benefit package. Actual base salary offered will vary depending on factors including but not limited to: education, experience, skills and qualifications.

PayJunction is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a work environment where people from all backgrounds and identities thrive. We firmly believe that more diversity and inclusion in our workforce creates a stronger team, product and culture.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. PayJunction reserves the right to conduct background and/or credit checks on all of its potential employees.