Director, Bank Partnerships - EU/UK

The Partner Operations team is a key division within Marqeta's broader Go-To-Market Organisation, with two essential functions. The bank and network partnership teams drive global strategies to enhance our core technology and capabilities across credit, debit, prepaid card, and money movement offerings. Meanwhile, the solution design and delivery teams guide and support our customers in launching tailored, best-in-class solutions to meet their business needs.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Bank Partnerships to manage and enhance relationships with our existing issuing bank partners and develop new relationships.  This leadership role will serve as the primary contact for our bank partners, helping to drive incremental program growth and maintain strong relationships.  This role will work with bank partners to launch new client programs and product features while ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.  Additionally, the Director will play a key role in shaping the company’s international expansion strategies, leveraging their expertise in international card issuance to identify and develop appropriate international partnerships.  

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in building and managing successful bank partnerships, particularly in the financial services or fintech industry. They will be exceptionally organised and able to drive both short and long-term objectives with our bank partners.  With excellent communication abilities, they can influence and build relationships at all levels, both internally and externally. As a visionary leader, they will create and implement innovative strategies to shape long-term success, while leveraging deep industry knowledge of banking products and services. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities effectively, and is focused on driving growth, profitability, and operational efficiency.

We encourage a flexible working style, and the team is typically in the office a few days each week in our London office. We'd love for you to join us!

The Impact You'll Have

• Relationship Management: Act as the primary liaison between Marqeta and existing bank issuing partners, fostering strong, collaborative relationships.  Regularly communicate with bank partners to understand their needs, address concerns, and help drive program performance.  
• Product launch and Development: Collaborate with bank partners and internal product development teams to launch new products and features that meet market/client demands.
• International Expansion: Work with internal product and network partnership teams to identify strategies for international expansion including identifying and cultivating bank partnerships within the targeted international markets
• Operational Oversight: Oversee day to day responsibilities, including invoice validation, audit coordination and customer service/regulatory escalations.  Monitor and report on bank partnerships, identifying areas for improvement and growth.  
• Contractual Oversight & Negotiations: Lead the negotiation and management of contracts, ensuring favourable terms for the company, minimising risk, and ensuring contractual obligations are met. Collaborate with legal and other teams to facilitate smooth contract execution.
• Economic Optimisation: Drive the company’s financial success through careful management of partnership terms, incentives, and compensation structures. Analyse and optimise the financial terms of each agreement to maximise profitability.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal teams, including sales, product, legal, and marketing, to ensure effective execution of partnership initiatives. 
• Performance Metrics & Reporting: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the success of bank partnerships. Regularly report on performance, identify challenges, and implement strategies to continuously improve outcomes.
• Market Intelligence: Stay informed of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitor activities that could impact the bank partnership landscape. Maintain expertise in international rules governing card issuance and be capable of fully researching rules and alternatives specific to an international market. 

Who You Are

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in financial services, partnership management, business development, or similar roles. We need someone who has specifically worked in the launch of credit, debit and other payment solutions into international markets.  
• Industry Knowledge: Strong knowledge of Visa and MasterCard rules governing international card issuance (including MMP and CCAU) and ability to fully research rules governing card issuance within a specific international country.  
• Leadership Skills: Proven experience in leading and managing strategic partnerships at a senior level. Strong ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage complex relationships, and drive results.
• Negotiation Expertise: Extensive experience in negotiating commercial agreements, managing contract terms, and optimising financial outcomes for the company.
• Strategic Thinker: Ability to develop and execute complex, long-term strategies that align with organisational goals. Must have a data-driven approach and be comfortable working with senior leadership to drive business outcomes.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively to internal teams and external partners.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Hiring Manager

• Paul Flanigan, VP, Partner Operations

Recruiter For This Role

• Louise Devlin

Compensation and Benefits

• Premium Private Medical and Dental coverage
• Generous time off program with additional “Floating Holiday days”
• Retirement savings program with company contribution
• Equity in a publicly-traded company and an Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Monthly stipend to support our remote work model
• Annual development stipend to support our people growth and development
• Family-forming benefits and up to 20 weeks of Parental Leave
• Wellbeing programs i.e. Modern Health, HealthKick and much more…