📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: AVP, Strategic Partnerships - Payments
🔹 Company: Cross River
🔹 Location: Fort Lee, New Jersey, United States
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (On-site/Hybrid)
🔹 Category: Financial Services
🔹 Date Posted: April 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 6+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing new Enterprise accounts and building upon existing client partnerships
- Serving as the primary point of contact for Fintech Banking clients, focusing on retention and growth KPIs
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to resolve issues, implement changes, and integrate technology
- Developing and nurturing relationships with clients at multiple levels, including senior management
- Interpreting data to drive decision-making and create a clear view on the status of the client
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of client interaction and relationship management, with a focus on driving growth and retention for Fintech Banking clients.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Be the primary non-operational designated point of contact for our Fintech Banking Enterprise clients
✅ Own retention and growth KPIs for Fintech Banking clients by identifying organic and inorganic growth patterns
✅ Stay up to speed on our client’s business model, strategy, and market performance, identifying upsell/cross-sell opportunities
✅ Develop and nurture our firm’s relationships with our Fintech Banking clientele, at multiple levels per client, including senior management
✅ Perform weekly/monthly review as well as quarterly business review (QBR) with Client
✅ Interpret data (market data, competitive data, proprietary data, and client-supplied data) to include in data-driven decision-making process and to create a clear view on the status of the client
✅ Advocate for our clients within the firm; liaise with other departments to resolve issues, implement changes, and integrate technology
✅ Work with legal counsel to draft contracts that are up for renewal, and amendments to existing contracts
✅ Review client accounts to ensure AML/BSA regulations are being observed
✅ Review and drive progress related to any outstanding issues and opportunities
✅ Perform periodic visits to deepen relationships and engage in strategic planning
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of client interaction, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to drive client success and growth.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 6+ years managing high-profile relationships in commerce, payments, fintech, or banking
Required Skills:
- Deep experience/exposure to the payments industry, inclusive of pricing, network schemes, technologies, leading global players, emerging trends, and regulatory nuance
- Broad understanding of the fintech space and how Cross River can leverage the best-in-class solutions to grow its financial solutions offering
- Agility and adaptability in a rapidly growing, constantly changing environment
- Demonstrated ability to achieve high-performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision
- History working with cross-functional teams
- Ability to multitask without getting overwhelmed
- Extreme resourcefulness and excellent communication skills
- A learner’s mindset and the ability to pick up new information quickly
- A genuine excitement for solving client’s problems
- Willingness to travel
Preferred Skills:
- 5+ years of experience managing ISO/Payfac relationships
ASSUMPTION: Given the nature of the role, candidates should have a strong background in relationship management, payments industry knowledge, and experience working with Fintech clients.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $145,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels in the financial services sector in the New York City metropolitan area.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Cross River operates in the Financial Services sector, focusing on embedded payments, cards, and lending solutions for Fintech and technology companies.
Company Size: Cross River is a mid-sized company with 501-1,000 employees, providing a collaborative and growing work environment.
Founded: Cross River was founded in 2008 and has since grown to become a leading provider of financial technology infrastructure.
Company Description:
- Cross River powers the future of financial services by providing innovative and scalable embedded payments, cards, and lending products
- The company serves millions of businesses and consumers around the globe, backed by leading investors
- Cross River is committed to building the infrastructure that propels access, inclusion, and the democratization of financial services
Company Specialties:
- Marketplace Lending
- Small Business Loans
- FinTech
- Commercial Real Estate Loans
- Crowdfunding
- Payments
- Securitization
- Virtual Currency
- ACH / IAT
- Wallet (Custody)
- Core API Driven Banking
- Capital Markets
- Deposits/CDs
- Small Business Lending
- Banking as a Service
- Wire Transfers
- Real Time Payments
- and Compliance
Company Website: http://www.crossriver.com
ASSUMPTION: Cross River's focus on innovation and growth in the Fintech space makes it an attractive employer for candidates seeking to work at the intersection of finance and technology.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, with a focus on strategic partnerships and client management.
Reporting Structure: The AVP, Strategic Partnerships - Payments reports directly to the Head of Strategic Partnerships and works closely with various departments, including Sales, Product, and Operations.
Work Arrangement: This role is hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work. The specific work arrangement may vary depending on the needs of the client and the team.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a VP or Director role as the team and client base grow
- Opportunities to expand into new markets and product lines
- Chance to gain exposure to various teams and aspects of the business, driving personal and professional development
ASSUMPTION: Given Cross River's growth trajectory, there are ample opportunities for career advancement and professional development within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Cross River's headquarters is located in Fort Lee, New Jersey, with a modern and collaborative work environment.
Office Location(s): 2115 Linwood Ave, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024, US
Geographic Context:
- The New York City metropolitan area offers a diverse range of cultural, entertainment, and dining options
- The area is well-connected by public transportation, making it easy to commute to work
- Fort Lee is a suburban area with a mix of residential and commercial properties
Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for remote work and adjusted hours as needed.
ASSUMPTION: The Fort Lee office location provides easy access to New York City and its amenities, while offering a more suburban work environment.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and relevant team members
- Final interview with the Head of Strategic Partnerships
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Relationship management skills and experience
- Industry knowledge and understanding of the payments ecosystem
- Data analysis and interpretation abilities
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
- Problem-solving and strategic thinking
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements in relationship management and the payments industry
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your understanding of Cross River's business and the role's requirements
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and client management experience
ATS Keywords: Relationship Management, Payments Industry, Fintech, Client Advocacy, Data Interpretation, Contract Management, Strategic Planning, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Problem Solving, Communication Skills, Adaptability, Resourcefulness, Multitasking, Self-Starter, High-Performance Goals
ASSUMPTION: Cross River's interview process is designed to assess candidates' skills and cultural fit, with a focus on relationship management, industry knowledge, and problem-solving abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Slack)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the department and the role's requirements.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Customer Focus
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Focused on driving results and growth
- Adaptable and open to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment?
- Are you comfortable working with cross-functional teams to drive client success?
- Do you have a proven track record of managing high-profile relationships and driving growth?
- Are you excited about the opportunity to work at the intersection of finance and technology?
ASSUMPTION: Cross River values candidates who are collaborative, adaptable, and results-driven, with a strong focus on client success and growth.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require extensive travel to meet with clients and attend industry events
- The fast-paced and dynamic work environment may be challenging for candidates who prefer a more structured or predictable work environment
- The role may involve managing multiple priorities and deadlines, requiring strong organizational and time management skills
- The payments industry is subject to frequent regulatory changes, requiring candidates to stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices
ASSUMPTION: While the role presents unique challenges, it also offers significant opportunities for growth and professional development.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Strategic Partnerships Manager or Director role in the Fintech or Financial Services industry, with a focus on client management and growth
- Unlike other roles, this position requires a deep understanding of the payments industry and the ability to interpret data to drive decision-making
- Career progression in this role may lead to a VP or Director position, with the opportunity to expand into new markets and product lines
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on the payments industry and the requirement for data interpretation and analysis to drive client success and growth.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a strategic plan to retain and grow a key Fintech Banking client
- Conducting a competitive analysis of the payments industry to identify opportunities for Cross River to expand its offerings
- Leading a cross-functional team to resolve a complex client issue, ensuring client satisfaction and retention
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and collaborative nature of the role, requiring candidates to leverage their industry knowledge and problem-solving skills to drive client success.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical workweek for this role, and how much time is spent on client management versus internal tasks?
- How does Cross River support the professional development and growth of its employees in this role?
- Can you provide an example of a time when a team member went above and beyond to support a client, and how that was recognized and rewarded?
- How does Cross River approach data-driven decision-making, and what tools and resources are available to support this process?
- What are the most important qualities and skills for success in this role, according to the hiring manager?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the day-to-day responsibilities, work environment, and cultural fit of the role.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills, emphasizing your understanding of the payments industry and Cross River's business
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and client management experience
- Research Cross River's business and industry trends to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
