📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Sr. Director Business Development - Issuer Channel Partnerships
🔹 Company: Early Warning®
🔹 Location: New York, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Financial Services
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-29
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago, or New York)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing strategic partnerships with major players in the issuer channel to drive adoption and growth of Paze.
- Leading and developing a team of business development professionals.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to execute strategic account plans.
- Negotiating and closing partnership agreements with senior-level decision-makers.
- Identifying and pursuing new business development opportunities.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record in business development and partnership management within the financial services industry.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key decision-makers at major partners, ensuring long-term growth and success of Paze.
✅ Lead and manage a team of business development professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
✅ Develop and execute strategic account plans in collaboration with cross-functional teams, aligning with overall business objectives.
✅ Negotiate and close partnership agreements, driving successful outcomes through influential and persuasive communication.
✅ Identify and pursue new business development opportunities, expanding the breadth of partnerships and driving revenue growth.
✅ Manage post-integration relationships with partners, tracking growth, and driving quarterly business reviews.
✅ Influence and negotiate with great latitude for successful outcomes, presenting and defending complex or delicate issues.
✅ Apply in-depth knowledge of partnership management, the financial services industry, and business expertise to differentiate Early Warning from the competition.
ASSUMPION: This role requires a high degree of autonomy and the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field.
Experience: 15+ years of experience in financial services and partnership management, with at least 5 years of experience managing a team.
Required Skills:
- Proven sales and senior-level partner management experience in technology solutions focused on payments, with an emphasis on revenue generation in the financial services sector.
- Consultative, conceptual, and strategic selling skills, with the ability to sell concepts internally and drive streamlined decision-making across partners at the senior level.
- Executive communication skills, including strong written communication, excellent presentation skills, and active listening.
- Proven ability to engage with senior-level executives at top-tier banks and build strong internal and external relationships.
- Strong analytical skills, capable of evaluating opportunities from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives and driving performance tracking.
- Expertise in building business cases for market opportunities and partnerships, including strategy development, market segmentation, competitive analysis, and financial analysis.
- Positive and collaborative team player who excels in goal setting and achievement for self and team members.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience structuring partnerships with issuer processors (legacy and modern) and other payment channel partners.
- Ability to develop senior-level collaborative relationships with a diverse portfolio of ecosystem providers to drive broad adoption of Paze services and functionality.
ASSUMPTION: While a master's degree or relevant certifications could be beneficial, they are not explicitly required for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $280,000 - $330,000 (Phoenix, AZ/Chicago, IL) or $330,000 - $395,000 (New York, NY) per year, depending on experience and qualifications.
Benefits:
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans, with company contributions to your Health Savings Account (HSA) or pre-tax savings through flexible spending accounts (FSA) for commuting, health & dependent care expenses.
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with a 100% Company Safe Harbor Match on your first 6% deferral immediately upon eligibility.
- Flexible Time Off for Exempt (salaried) employees, as well as generous PTO for Non-Exempt (hourly) employees, plus 11 paid company holidays and a paid volunteer day.
- 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.
- Maven Family Planning, providing support through your Parenting journey, including egg freezing, fertility, adoption, surrogacy, pregnancy, postpartum, early pediatrics, and returning to work.
Working Hours: Full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement, requiring occasional travel.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is subject to change and may not reflect the actual compensation that may be earned, nor is it a promise of any specific pay for any specific candidate. Early Warning Services takes into consideration a variety of factors when determining a competitive salary offer, including market rates and geographic location of a position, candidate’s education, experience, training, and specialized skills or certification(s) in relation to the job requirements and compared with internal equity (peers).
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Early Warning Services operates in the Financial Services industry, focusing on real-time payments, risk mitigation, and P2P solutions.
Company Size: Early Warning Services is a mid-sized company with 1,001-5,000 employees.
Founded: 1990, with headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Company Description:
- Early Warning Services, LLC, a financial services technology leader, has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial services ecosystem with cutting-edge risk, fraud, and payment solutions for more than three decades.
- The company is the driving force behind Zelle® and the Paze℠ online checkout solution, enabling real-time payments and enhancing the overall consumer experience.
- Early Warning Services partners with more than 2,500 bank and credit union brands, increasing access to financial services and products and protecting financial transactions.
Company Specialties:
- Real-time Payments
- Risk Mitigation
- and P2P
Company Website: Early Warning Services
ASSUMPTION: Early Warning Services is committed to delivering innovative payment and checkout solutions, driving growth and adoption for its partners and clients.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior director level, offering significant growth and leadership opportunities.
Reporting Structure: The Sr. Director reports directly to the Head of Business Development or another relevant senior leader within the organization.
Work Arrangement: This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring employees to be present in the office for a specified number of days per week, with the remaining days worked remotely.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career advancement to a Vice President or other senior leadership roles within the Business Development or related departments.
- Expanding the team and mentoring junior team members to develop their skills and careers.
- Gaining exposure to various aspects of the business, including product, marketing, risk, technology, and other functions critical to Paze’s success.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a high degree of visibility and influence, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Early Warning Services maintains offices in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, with a hybrid work model for most positions.
Office Location(s): 5801 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona 85250, US; 222 2nd St, San Francisco, California 94105, US; 233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, Illinois 60606, US; 825 3rd Ave. at E. 50th St., New York, NY 10022, US
Geographic Context:
- Scottsdale, Arizona: A suburban city near Phoenix, offering a warm, desert climate and a mix of urban and rural environments.
- San Francisco, California: A major city known for its diverse culture, tech industry, and mild Mediterranean climate.
- Chicago, Illinois: A bustling city with a rich history, offering a mix of urban and suburban environments and a humid continental climate.
- New York, New York: A global hub for finance, culture, and entertainment, with a humid subtropical climate.
Work Schedule: The hybrid work arrangement requires employees to be present in the office for a specified number of days per week, with the remaining days worked remotely. The exact work schedule may vary depending on the specific office location and team needs.
ASSUMPTION: Early Warning Services' hybrid work model fosters a more collaborative working environment, encouraging team interaction and knowledge sharing.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the company's careers portal.
- Phone or video screening to assess communication skills and cultural fit.
- In-depth behavioral and situational interviews to evaluate problem-solving skills, leadership potential, and business acumen.
- Final round interviews with senior leadership to discuss the role, company culture, and long-term career prospects.
- Background and reference checks before extending an offer.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Business development and partnership management experience.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Communication and presentation skills.
- Leadership and team management abilities.
- Industry-specific knowledge and understanding of Early Warning's products and services.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience, skills, and achievements that match the required qualifications for this role.
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and how they demonstrate the required skills and qualities for this position.
- Research Early Warning Services' products, services, and industry presence to showcase your understanding of the company and its offerings.
- Be prepared to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your professional development plan.
ATS Keywords: Business Development, Partnership Management, Strategic Planning, Account Management, Sales, Negotiation, Communication, Leadership, Team Management, Financial Services, Payments, Issuer Channel, E-commerce, Paze, Zelle
ASSUMPTION: Early Warning Services' hiring process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, ensuring the best possible match for the role and the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) for managing client relationships and pipeline.
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for creating and sharing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello) for tracking team progress and collaboration.
- Video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams) for remote communication and meetings.
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for analyzing and presenting data insights.
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the team's needs and the individual's role within the organization.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric: Prioritizing the needs and satisfaction of clients and partners.
- Innovative: Encouraging creativity, continuous learning, and improvement.
- Collaborative: Fostering teamwork, knowledge sharing, and mutual support.
- Accountable: Taking responsibility for one's actions, delivering on commitments, and maintaining high standards.
Work Style:
- Agile: Adapting quickly to changing circumstances and priorities.
- Data-driven: Making informed decisions based on data analysis and insights.
- Cross-functional: Collaborating with various departments and teams to achieve common goals.
- Results-oriented: Focusing on delivering measurable outcomes and achieving objectives.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with Early Warning Services' company values, and can you provide an example of when you demonstrated each value in a professional setting?
- Describe a situation where you had to adapt to a significant change in priorities or work arrangements, and how did you ensure the successful completion of your tasks?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and can you share an example of a successful collaboration or partnership?
ASSUMPTION: Early Warning Services seeks candidates who embody their core values and can thrive in a dynamic, agile work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The hybrid work arrangement may require occasional travel to office locations or client sites.
- This role involves managing multiple priorities and projects simultaneously, which can be challenging at times.
- Developing and maintaining strategic relationships with senior-level decision-makers may require extensive networking and relationship-building efforts.
- The financial services industry is subject to regulatory changes and market fluctuations, which can impact the role and its priorities.
ASSUMPTION: Early Warning Services provides the resources and support necessary for employees to overcome these challenges and succeed in their roles.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Director of Business Development or Strategic Partnerships in other financial services or technology companies, with a focus on driving adoption and growth for specific products or services.
- However, Early Warning Services' unique position in the market and its focus on real-time payments and risk mitigation set this role apart from similar positions in other organizations.
- Career paths for this role may vary depending on the specific company structure and growth opportunities.
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other senior business development positions, its unique context within Early Warning Services requires a tailored approach to career progression and development.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic account plan for a major issuer partner, driving Paze adoption and integration across their platform.
- Negotiating and closing a partnership agreement with a digital commerce platform, expanding Paze's online acceptance and usage.
- Managing post-integration relationships with partners, tracking growth, and driving quarterly business reviews to ensure successful partnership outcomes.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and operational aspects of the Sr. Director's role, demonstrating the importance of both long-term planning and day-to-day management.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the company's long-term vision for Paze and how this role contributes to its success?
- How does Early Warning Services support the growth and development of its employees, and what opportunities exist for career advancement within the organization?
- Can you provide an example of a successful partnership or collaboration that Early Warning Services has cultivated, and what factors contributed to its success?
- How does Early Warning Services approach risk management and compliance, and what role does this play in the company's overall strategy?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the financial services industry today, and how is Early Warning Services addressing these issues through its products and services?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role, the company, and the industry, showcasing your engagement and enthusiasm for the opportunity.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Early Warning Careers portal.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience, skills, and achievements that match the required qualifications for this role.
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and how they demonstrate the required skills and qualities for this position.
- Research Early Warning Services' products, services, and industry presence to showcase your understanding of the company and its offerings.
- Be prepared to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your professional development plan.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
