Partnerships & Business Development Lead

About the jobDrive Modupay's growth and strategic objectives by identifying, nurturing and managing strategic partnerships and new business opportunities across Africa and beyond. The role spans market research, competitor insights, relationship management, pre-sales support, and strategic alignment across Modupay's full product suite — including card issuance, payment processing, payment orchestration, digital enablement, data analytics & intelligence and value-added services.The Partnerships & Business Development Lead works in close collaboration with the Partnerships & Business Development Director to execute on defined strategies, support senior-level engagements, and ensure continuity across the full partnership and sales lifecycle — from opportunity identification through to commercial close and post-launch relationship management.He / She shall develop compelling proposals and presentations to secure partnerships, participate in pre-sales and solutioning activities, and collaborate cross-functionally to execute partnership strategies with operational excellence.Key Responsibilities1. Market Research & Opportunity IdentificationConduct in-depth market analysis using CRM systems, industry reports, and data analytics tools.Evaluate emerging markets, competitive landscapes, and potential revenue streams across fintech, card issuance, payment processing, and orchestration verticals.Develop data-driven market entry and expansion strategies and present findings to leadership.Monitor scheme, regulatory, and ecosystem developments (Visa, Mastercard, central banks) relevant to Modupay's growth markets.2. Partner Engagement & Relationship ManagementStrengthen relationships with existing partners through regular communication, performance reviews, and joint initiatives.Coordinate partner workshops, meetings, and events to align on mutual goals and product roadmaps.Track partnership KPIs, pipeline milestones, and revenue contribution metrics; report to stakeholders.Support the Director in managing senior-level partner and scheme relationships, ensuring continuity and follow-through.3. Pre-Sales & Solutioning SupportParticipate in pre-sales activities including discovery calls, solution demonstrations, RFP/RFI responses, and commercial Q&A sessions.Develop working knowledge of Modupay's product stack — card manufacturing and personalization, credit/debit/prepaid/virtual card issuance, payment processing, payment orchestration, and VAS.Collaborate with Product and Technical teams to translate product capabilities into tailored partner and client value propositions.Support go-to-market activities for new product launches including emerging payment solutions such as BNPL and virtual card programs.4. Proposal Development & PresentationsDraft proposals, pitch decks, partnership agreements, and commercial documentation.Collaborate with Technical, Legal, Compliance, and Finance teams to ensure proposals meet regulatory and strategic standards.Tailor all materials to highlight Modupay's product value proposition and address partner-specific needs and pain points.Maintain a library of reusable pitch assets, case studies, and product positioning materials.5. Internal Coordination & Cross-Functional SupportFacilitate cross-departmental workflows to execute partnership deliverables including pilot programs and product launches.Maintain CRM records, pipeline dashboards, and documentation for transparency and accountability.Support project timelines, budgets, and risk mitigation plans for BD and partnership initiatives.6. Administrative & Operational TasksSchedule high-level meetings, prepare agendas, and document action items.Manage partner contracts, communication logs, and compliance records.Assist in preparing executive reports, memos, and post-engagement follow-ups.Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in business administration, Computer Science, Finance, or a related field.4–6 years in business development, strategic partnerships, or B2B sales, preferably in fintech / payments / financial services.Experience in pre-sales, solutioning, or product commercialization in a payments context is a strong advantage.Proven track record managing complex sales cycles and negotiating partnership terms.Experience in African financial markets is highly desirable.Working knowledge of card issuance lifecycle (credit, debit, prepaid, virtual), payment processing, and payment orchestration.Familiarity with card scheme ecosystems (Visa, Mastercard), issuer-processor dynamics, and payment value chain stakeholders.Proficiency in CRM software, data analysis tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.Exposure to BNPL, digital wallets, or emerging payment solutions is an advantage.Willingness to travel as needed for business engagements and partner events.