Business Development Team Leader

About CoW DAO

CoW DAO is on a mission to protect Ethereum users from MEV and optimize trade execution across DeFi. We achieve this through the CoW Protocol, CoW Swap (a leading intent-based DEX aggregator), and the innovative MEV Blocker, which together help secure, aggregate, and route trades for optimal outcomes. We also fund values-aligned projects via the CoW Grants Program.

CoW Protocol is consistently ranked among the top DEX aggregators by monthly volume and is the largest intent-based exchange. Our MEV Blocker protects trades from harmful MEV extraction and is integrated across the Ethereum ecosystem. The CoW AMM is the only live AMM designed to protect liquidity providers from LVR (loss-versus-rebalancing).

With over 100 open-source repositories on GitHub, we're transparent, community-driven, and deeply committed to the open-source ethos. Our real-time Dune Analytics dashboard showcases billions in cumulative trading volume and a rapidly growing user base. As we continue to scale, CoW DAO remains at the forefront of DeFi innovation, prioritizing security, efficiency, and decentralization.

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About the Role

Location: We are a fully remote team, and although we hire almost globally, there is a preference for this role to be based in Europe or remote +/- 4 hours CEST time

Please note we’re not hiring from the US, Australia, or New Zealand

Position: Full-time contractor

Business Development is critical to expanding CoW DAO’s reach and forging strategic partnerships that drive growth across the DeFi ecosystem.

We’re looking for a Business Development Team Lead who combines a solid BD background with the ambition to step into a leadership role. This person will define and execute our BD strategy, manage and mentor a growing team, and personally own some of our highest-value relationships.

This is a high-profile role requiring a hands-on approach, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate technical concepts into compelling value propositions for diverse partners—from fintech giants to DeFi protocols.

If you’re hungry for impact, experienced in enterprise or institutional BD, and excited to shape the future of DeFi, we’d love to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and manage CoW DAO’s business development team, setting strategy, priorities, and scalable processes for growth

• Identify and pursue partnership opportunities with:

  • Consumer-facing financial applications (wallets, neobanks, trading apps)

  • Institutional players (market makers, trading firms, fintechs)

  • Other DeFi protocols and ecosystem partners

• Own and nurture key high-value relationships, maintaining active engagement and driving successful deal execution

• Pitch CoW DAO’s products; CoW Protocol, CoW Swap, MEV Blocker, and CoW AMM—to partners, tailoring narratives for technical and non-technical audiences

• Navigate complex enterprise sales processes, including managing RFPs, multi-stakeholder negotiations, and legal reviews

• Develop sales enablement materials such as polished sales decks, target lists, and influence maps to support BD efforts

• Track, analyze, and report on BD initiatives, both qualitatively and quantitatively

• Bring insights from partners and market trends back to influence CoW DAO’s product roadmaps

• Represent CoW DAO at conferences, talks, and industry events to elevate our presence and forge connections

• Appropriately manage a budget for travel, events, and business development activities

• Mentor and coach team members, fostering skill development and cross-functional collaboration

Who You Are

• Significant experience in business development, sales, or partnerships, ideally in larger fintech companies, DeFi, or Web3 ecosystems

• Proven success selling solutions into large fintechs or institutional organizations, with experience managing complex sales cycles and RFP processes

• Skilled at creating compelling narratives and translating technical concepts into business value for diverse audiences

• Hands-on approach, you’re excited to lead but equally willing to execute deals yourself

• Strategic thinker who can prioritize opportunities for the highest impact

• Collaborative mindset with a track r