Director of Payments & Financial Services Partnerships

Summary

Join Upwork as the Director of Payments & Financial Services Partnerships to lead and develop strategic relationships within the payment and financial services ecosystem. Enhance the platform's payment capabilities, ensuring seamless and secure payment solutions globally for freelancers and clients. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive payment volume and improve the platform experience. Negotiate commercial terms with partners and integrate new payment features. Ensure regulatory compliance and stay updated on industry trends. This role reports to the VP of Strategy, Corporate Development and Partnerships and involves close partnership with the GM of Payments and Work Management.

Requirements

• Proven experience (10+ years) in payments business development or partnerships roles, preferably within marketplaces and/or the payments industry
• Expertise in the payments and fintech ecosystem, including cross-border payments, digital wallets, payment orchestration, and embedded financial services
• Demonstrable track record of negotiating and managing complex partnership deals
• In-depth understanding of the payments landscape, including the regulatory environment
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate complex or ambiguous ideas into structured, actionable strategies and partnership initiatives
• Excellent leadership skills, with an ability to thrive, navigate and work collaboratively with executives and high-performing cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels
• Organized, structured and goal-driven “doer” with strong project management skills, a willingness to roll up sleeves, take initiative independently and have ownership accountability
• Ability to travel as required

Responsibilities

• Identify, establish, and nurture relationships with payment partners, fintechs, and relevant financial institutions
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement strategies that drive payment volume, P&L impact, and a delightful platform payments experience for clients and freelancers
• Negotiate commercial terms with partners, ensuring our platform and its users get the most favorable conditions
• Work closely with the product and tech teams to ideate, scope, and integrate new payment features and partners, ensuring ease of use and top-notch security
• Collaborate closely with legal and compliance to ensure all payment partners adhere to regional and global regulations
• Stay updated with industry trends, competitor actions, and advancements in payment and fintech technology to keep our platform at the forefront of innovation
• Stay plugged in and connected with payments and fintech leadership peers through conferences, and other events
• Translate trends and insights into perspective and payments and financial services strategy

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical insurance coverage for both you and your family
• Unlimited paid time off
• A 401(k) plan with matching contributions
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• An Employee Stock Purchase Plan