Emerging Markets Lead - Central Asia

About the role

Column is on a mission to revolutionize the banking sector by creating a fully integrated banking and software platform that alleviates the challenges posed by traditional financial systems. This position is pivotal in launching a new banking product line, focusing on forging strategic partnerships across Central Asia and Eastern Europe. As a key member of this initiative, you will blend strategic oversight with hands-on execution to foster international expansion and drive growth in these emerging markets.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Identify and pursue lucrative banking partnerships in various international markets, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic goals.
• Oversee the entire deal-making process, from initial outreach to the finalization of contracts, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow.
• Serve as the main liaison for regional partners, engaging in face-to-face meetings and participating in relevant industry events to strengthen relationships.
• Work closely with Legal, Compliance, and Product teams to facilitate the successful onboarding of new partnerships, ensuring all regulatory and operational requirements are met.
• Keep abreast of regulatory changes, competitive dynamics, and local market demands to inform and adapt regional strategies effectively.
• Develop and implement standardized operational processes for managing client relationships, ensuring consistent support and communication.
• Analyze market trends and opportunities to identify potential areas for growth and expansion within the region.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align partnership strategies with overall business objectives and enhance operational efficiency.
• Prepare and present reports on partnership performance and market insights to senior leadership, contributing to strategic decision-making.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and innovation within the team, encouraging the sharing of ideas and best practices.
• Represent the company at conferences and industry gatherings, enhancing Column's visibility and reputation in the market.
• Mentor and guide junior team members, sharing expertise and fostering their professional development.

Requirements

• A minimum of 6 years of experience in growth, business operations, or partnerships, particularly in high-performing environments.
• At least 4 years of hands-on experience working within Central Asian and Eastern European markets, demonstrating a deep understanding of regional dynamics.
• Native proficiency in Russian, with a proven track record of managing professional relationships with stakeholders who speak the language.
• A history of successfully closing complex, high-value deals with executive-level counterparts, showcasing strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects at once while coordinating effectively across various internal teams and departments.
• Experience in a top-tier technology company or management consultancy is highly desirable, providing a strong foundation for this role.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with the correspondent banking sector and its operational intricacies.
• Previous experience in a startup environment, demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach to challenges.
• Knowledge of financial regulations and compliance requirements in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and market trends to inform strategic decisions.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in strategic market analysis and opportunity assessment, enabling informed decision-making.
• Excellent executive-level relationship management and networking abilities, essential for building and maintaining partnerships.
• Strong cross-functional project management skills, ensuring seamless collaboration across departments.
• In-depth knowledge of the correspondent banking domain, enhancing your ability to navigate industry-specific challenges.

Practical notes

• This role will involve regular travel throughout Central Asia and Eastern Europe, as well as quarterly trips to the company's headquarters in San Francisco.
• Column is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process; candidates can reach out via accommodations@column.com for assistance.
• The company participates in E-Verify where mandated by law, ensuring compliance with employment verification requirements.

Join Column as we reshape the future of banking in emerging markets, leveraging your expertise to drive impactful partnerships and growth in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

About the company

A Column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a Column is a compression member.