This role exists to drive growth and optimize revenue from NerdWallet’s SMB lending partnerships. The Business Development Lead will manage our SMB lending partnerships, identify and execute on growth opportunities, and collaborate across internal teams to unlock value through scalable, data-driven initiatives.

This role is responsible for leading NerdWallet’s SMB lending partnerships. It includes managing existing relationships, identifying growth opportunities, negotiating with partners, and driving alignment across internal teams to scale partner performance.

Where you can make an impact:

• Accelerate SMB Lending growth: You will manage and grow a portfolio of high-revenue SMB lending partnerships and serve as the primary point of contact for operational success and revenue growth for a multi-million dollar portfolio of lending partners.

• New partner onboarding: You will be the primary point of contact for new partnerships, managing their onboarding experience to ensure a successful integration and performance ramp.

• Performance reporting: You will regularly monitor and analyze partner performance, preparing and delivering insights and performance performance reports for business reviews meetings with partners and internal stakeholders.

• Identify and pitch growth opportunities: You will leverage your analytical skills to identify partnership growth opportunities and strategic initiatives. You will pitch growth opportunities to partners by highlighting qualitative and quantitative insights and leading negotiations.

• Ensure cross-functional alignment : Maintain collaboration and stakeholder execution with Product, Sales, and Engineering, ensuring smooth and efficient execution of partnership initiatives and campaigns.

Your experience:

• 6–7+ years in business development, partnerships, or strategic account management, with at least 2-3 years of experience being directly in SMB lending

• Bachelor’s degree required

• Experience managing large, complex partnerships with multi-million dollar revenue impact

• Strong project management and organizational skills

• Proven success in stakeholder management, negotiation, and building internal consensus

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, tailored to different audiences

• Natural ability to final common ground and balance between partner needs and business drivers

• Highly proficient in Excel and skilled at creating data-informed presentations and reports

• Demonstrated ability to use data to influence decision-making and negotiations

• Comfortable working in ambiguous, dynamic, high-growth environments with a bias for action

• Experience collaborating with legal teams on partner contracting

• Expert communicator - with the ability to tailor your messaging to different audiences ranging from sales reps to executives

Preferred Qualifications (Bonus Points):

• Proximity to or flexibility to frequently travel to the NerdWallet New York office as partner site visits arise

• Experience working with lending marketplaces

• Familiarity with CRM and partner reporting tools (e.g., Salesforce, Jira, Mode)

• Experience launching new partnerships & programs

• Experience project managing API integrations for partnerships

• MBA or advanced degree

Where:

• This role will be remote (based in the U.S.).

• We believe great work can be done anywhere. No matter where you are based, NerdWallet offers benefits and perks to support the physical, financial, and emotional well being of you and your family.

What we offer:

Work Hard, Stay Balanced (Life’s a series of balancing acts, eh?)

• Industry-leading medical, dental, and vision health care plans for employees and their dependents

• Rejuvenation Policy – Vacation Time Off + 11 holidays + 4 Mental Health Days Off

• New Parent Leave for employees with a newborn child or a child placed with them for adoption or foster care

• Mental health support

• Paid sabbatical for Nerds to recharge, gain knowledge and pursue their interests

• Health and Dependent Care FSA and HSA Plan with monthly NerdWallet contribution

• Monthly Wellness Stipend, Cell Phone Stipend, and Wifi Stipend 

• Work from home equipment stipend and co-working space subsidy

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