📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Partnerships Manager - Independent Broker Dealers (IBDs)
🔹 Company: Zocks
🔹 Location: Remote US
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Business Development, Sales
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-29
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote (US only)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving business development into the Independent Broker-Dealer (IBD) channel
- Identifying, engaging, and closing partnership opportunities with IBD firms
- Building and managing a robust pipeline of IBD targets
- Collaborating with internal teams to ensure partner needs are met
- Staying current on market trends and competitor strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the IBD channel and proven experience selling financial products or platforms into it.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Identify, engage, and close partnership opportunities with independent broker-dealer firms
✅ Build and manage a robust pipeline of IBD targets across varying sizes and specialties
✅ Lead contract negotiations, due diligence, onboarding, and go-to-market planning with partner firms
✅ Serve as the primary point of contact for broker-dealer relationships
✅ Collaborate with internal teams to ensure partner needs are met and go-to-market strategies are aligned
✅ Develop customized pitches, proposals, and presentations to communicate value effectively
✅ Track, analyze, and report on partnership performance metrics
✅ Stay current on market trends, competitor strategies, regulatory changes, and the evolving needs of IBD firms
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of independence and cross-functional collaboration.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 5-10+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, or distribution within the financial services or fintech industry
Required Skills:
- Proven experience working with or selling into independent broker-dealers
- Strong network within the IBD community (highly preferred)
- Deep understanding of broker-dealer business models, compliance requirements, and selling cycles
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and cross-functionally in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
Preferred Skills:
- Fintech platform sales experience (e.g., investment platforms, financial planning software, insurance tech, or alternative investments)
- Asset managers or product distributors with broker-dealer channel experience
- SaaS sales or distribution experience into financial advisor networks
ASSUMPTION: While not required, having Series 6, 7, or 65/66 licenses would be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $130,000 base per year, depending on experience and location
Benefits:
- Performance Bonuses
- Equity
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Software Development (Financial Services)
Company Size: Small (11-50 employees)
Founded: 2022
Company Description:
- Zocks is a meeting assistant designed for financial advisors
- It captures financial details during client meetings, prepares follow-ups, and integrates meeting notes into advisors' CRM and task managers
- Zocks aims to streamline financial advisors' workflows and improve client relationships
Company Specialties:
- Financial Services
- Software Development
- Fintech
Company Website: https://www.zocks.io
ASSUMPTION: Zocks is a growing fintech startup focused on improving the efficiency of financial advisors' client interactions.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to Senior
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Business Development
Work Arrangement: Remote (US only) with a flexible schedule
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role as the company expands
- Opportunity to shape the company's partnership strategy and processes
- Chance to work closely with senior leadership and influence the company's direction
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential as Zocks continues to expand its partnerships and client base.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote (no physical office)
Office Location(s): N/A (Remote US)
Geographic Context:
- This role can be performed from any location in the United States
- Zocks has headquarters in San Francisco, CA, and Budapest, HU
- The company operates in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) for consistency and collaboration
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible hours
ASSUMPTION: While this role is remote, applicants should be comfortable working in the Eastern Time Zone and be available for meetings and calls during standard business hours.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- 30-minute initial call with the hiring manager
- Up to four 30-minute calls with key stakeholders of the role
- Offer pending references
Key Assessment Areas:
- Understanding of the IBD channel and broker-dealer business models
- Sales and negotiation skills
- Ability to work independently and collaborate with cross-functional teams
- Alignment with Zocks' mission and values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience working with or selling into independent broker-dealers
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of the IBD channel and its unique aspects
- Showcase your ability to build and manage a robust pipeline of targets
- Prepare for behavioral questions that assess your negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills
ATS Keywords: Independent Broker-Dealers, IBD, Partnerships, Business Development, Sales, Financial Services, Fintech, Negotiation, Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Pipeline Management, Market Trends, Competitor Strategies
ASSUMPTION: Zocks uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage and review applications. Including relevant keywords in your resume can help your application stand out.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, these tools are commonly used in similar roles and can be expected for this position.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Adaptable
Work Style:
- Entrepreneurial and fast-paced
- Cross-functional and collaborative
- Results-driven and focused on execution
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment?
- Are you comfortable working independently and managing your own pipeline?
- Do you have a strong understanding of the IBD channel and its unique aspects?
ASSUMPTION: Zocks values candidates who are self-motivated, adaptable, and have a strong understanding of the financial services industry.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large pipeline of IBD targets and maintaining a high close rate
- Navigating the unique compliance requirements and selling cycles of independent broker-dealers
- Working remotely and maintaining productivity in an entrepreneurial environment
- Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of the fintech industry and its constant evolution
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common in similar roles and can be overcome with strong organizational skills, a deep understanding of the IBD channel, and a results-driven approach.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on the IBD channel and requires a deep understanding of independent broker-dealers
- Compared to other business development roles, this position has a higher emphasis on relationship management and a lower focus on product development
- Career progression in this role could lead to leadership positions in business development or sales, depending on the company's growth and expansion
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other business development and sales positions, its focus on the IBD channel sets it apart.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a customized pitch and proposal for a target IBD firm
- Negotiating a partnership agreement with an IBD firm and leading the onboarding process
- Analyzing market trends and competitor strategies to inform partnership decisions
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are based on the key responsibilities and required qualifications listed in the job description.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Zocks differentiate itself from other meeting assistant tools in the market?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the IBD channel, and how does Zocks address them?
- How does Zocks support the growth and development of its employees in this role?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how are they tracked and reported?
- How does Zocks collaborate with internal teams to ensure partner needs are met and go-to-market strategies are aligned?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the company's products, culture, and expectations for the role.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience working with or selling into independent broker-dealers
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the IBD channel and your ability to build and manage a robust pipeline of targets
- Prepare for behavioral questions that assess your negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
