Head of Strategic Partnerships

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation package

Stock options

Medical aid

Retirement fund benefits

Career development and training

Modern Cape Town office

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Head of Strategic Partnerships to build and lead the partnership division. You will identify, negotiate, and manage strategic alliances with C-level executives to drive market expansion and revenue growth in South Africa and beyond.

The role requires a proven track record in originating and closing multi-year fintech partnerships, exceptional negotiation skills, and the ability to influence at all levels.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a business-related field required.
• 10+ years in business development or strategic partnerships, fintech-focused.
• Proven history of originating, negotiating and closing multi-year partnerships.
• Strong understanding of fintech trends, models and regulation.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication and executive-relations skills.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with senior executives.
• Experience in shaping partnership pipelines and metrics.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills.
• Willingness to travel; primarily based in Cape Town.

Responsibilities

• Identify, pursue, and evaluate new strategic partnership opportunities in fintech and adjacent sectors.
• Lead negotiation and structuring of complex partnership agreements with favorable terms.
• Develop and execute strategies for partner engagement and relationship management.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, product and legal to integrate partnerships.
• Represent the company at industry events to build brand visibility and leads.
• Monitor trends and competition to spot threats and opportunities in partnerships.
• Manage performance of existing partnerships and drive growth initiatives.
• Present business cases to senior management for approvals.
• Serve as key contact for major partners in Cape Town and nationally.
• Drive revenue growth and market penetration via effective partner strategies.

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Negotiation

Leadership

Fintech understanding

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration / Finance / Marketing or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing fintech innovator, is looking for a visionary Head of Strategic Partnerships to establish and lead their partnership division based in the vibrant city of Cape Town. This executive position is critical for driving market expansion and developing mutually beneficial relationships with key industry players. You will be responsible for identifying, negotiating, and managing strategic alliances that align with the company's growth objectives. This role demands a sophisticated understanding of the financial technology landscape, exceptional negotiation skills, and the ability to build strong, lasting relationships with C-level executives. The ideal candidate will be a proactive deal-maker with a proven history of success in forging high-impact partnerships in a competitive market. You will be at the forefront of developing our client's ecosystem, contributing significantly to their market position and revenue growth in South Africa and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and pursue new strategic partnership opportunities within the fintech sector and adjacent industries.
• Lead the negotiation and structuring of complex partnership agreements, ensuring favorable terms for all parties.
• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies for partner engagement and relationship management.
• Collaborate closely with sales, marketing, product, and legal teams to ensure seamless integration of partnership initiatives.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, events, and forums to build brand visibility and generate leads.
• Monitor market trends and competitive landscape to identify potential threats and opportunities related to partnerships.
• Manage the performance of existing partnerships and drive initiatives for growth and expansion.
• Develop and present business cases and proposals to senior management for strategic partnership approvals.
• Act as a key point of contact for major strategic partners in the Cape Town region and nationally.
• Drive revenue growth and market penetration through effective partner strategies.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or corporate development, with a significant focus on the fintech industry.
• Demonstrated success in originating, negotiating, and closing complex, multi-year strategic partnerships.
• Strong understanding of financial technology trends, business models, and regulatory environments.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with senior executives.
• Experience in developing and managing partnership pipelines and performance metrics.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel as required, though the primary focus is on building the Cape Town partnership base.
• Candidates must be based in or willing to relocate to Cape Town .

Benefits

• This role offers an attractive executive compensation package, including a competitive base salary, a significant performance-based bonus, and stock options.
• Comprehensive medical aid, life insurance, and retirement fund benefits are provided.
• Our client invests in its employees' growth through extensive training programs and opportunities for career advancement.
• The Cape Town office is a modern, collaborative workspace fostering innovation and teamwork.