Senior Financial Partnerships Manager

About the role

Mercury is building a comprehensive suite of financial services designed specifically for startups. This role centers on managing and expanding Mercury's network of partners that support our lending products and future banking services. You will be a critical contributor in shaping Mercury's lending infrastructure as we progress toward becoming a fully licensed bank. The position offers an opportunity to work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure strategic partnerships align with company goals, regulatory standards, and customer needs. As a senior member of the team, you will play a vital role in developing scalable processes and fostering strong relationships with key partners to support Mercury's growth trajectory.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Build and maintain relationships with key partners that underpin Mercury's lending operations and upcoming banking services, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
• Develop strategies to expand Mercury's network of lending partners, supporting the company's growth ambitions and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Serve as the internal subject matter expert on lending management systems, overseeing their integration into Mercury's infrastructure.
• Collaborate closely with Legal, Compliance, Risk, Product, Engineering, and Finance teams to negotiate, finalize, and monitor partnership agreements, ensuring all collaborations meet regulatory and internal standards.
• Lead efforts to identify, evaluate, and onboard new lending partners, including conducting due diligence and assessing compatibility with Mercury's operational and regulatory requirements.
• Translate partner needs, system limitations, and regulatory constraints into clear internal action plans, project timelines, and technical specifications.
• Act as an internal advocate for Mercury's product and partnership strategies, removing obstacles and aligning internal teams with external partner requirements.
• Communicate Mercury's compliance framework, legal obligations, and technical setup to external partners to ensure mutual understanding and smooth collaboration.
• Monitor partner performance continuously, providing feedback and implementing improvements to optimize partnership value.
• Stay informed about industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies that could impact Mercury's lending and banking services.
• Support the development of scalable processes and best practices for managing a growing network of financial partners.
• Work proactively to resolve issues related to partner integration, compliance, and operational challenges, ensuring service delivery.
• Contribute to strategic planning initiatives by providing insights into partnership opportunities and potential risks.
• Assist in preparing reports and presentations for internal leadership regarding partnership performance, compliance status, and strategic initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative environment by working effectively across departments and with external stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in banking or payment operations, with at least 4 years dedicated to strategic partnerships or B2B/payment product roles.
• Proven experience working with or managing lending management system providers, demonstrating a deep understanding of their operations and integration processes.
• Demonstrated success in leading and managing high-impact partnerships, with a track record of building strong, mutually beneficial relationships.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging diverse stakeholders including legal, compliance, engineering, and executive teams.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple critical initiatives simultaneously.
• Empathy and a calm, professional demeanor, especially when working within regulated environments and managing complex negotiations.
• Keen interest in product development, with an understanding of how financial systems can be optimized to benefit users.
• Skilled negotiator with experience handling complex commercial and regulatory discussions.
• Technical aptitude or comfort working with engineering and compliance teams on intricate systems and technical setups.
• Creative problem-solving skills, especially within operational and regulatory boundaries.
• Customer-centric mindset, with the ability to simplify complex systems and regulatory rules into understandable processes for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and regulatory landscapes, maintaining focus on strategic objectives.

Nice to have

• Experience with the full lifecycle of banking product development, from concept to launch and scaling.
• Familiarity with fintech industry standards, emerging trends, and innovative financial technologies.
• Prior experience working in a startup environment or within a fast-paced, high-growth company.
• Knowledge of ITAR regulations or experience working with regulated financial products.

Skills & tools

Financial partnerships, Lending management systems, Contract negotiation, Due diligence, Regulatory compliance, Project management, Stakeholder management, Product development.

Practical notes

The total compensation package includes base salary, equity (stock options), and benefits. Salary ranges are competitive within the SaaS and fintech sectors and are updated based on industry compensation data. The final offer will depend on the candidate's experience, expertise, location, and internal pay equity considerations.

• US employees in New York City, Seattle, Los Angeles, or San Francisco: $180,900 - $226,100
• US employees outside of these cities: $162,800 - $203,500

Mercury is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.