Head of Payments, Business Development

About the role

Since 2014, the mission-driven team at the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) has helped fuel the tremendous growth of the Stellar blockchain network, an open-source platform that operates at high-scale today. Developers and companies around the world build on it, and the SDF team is expanding to support the rapidly growing and changing Stellar ecosystem. We are looking for a seasoned Head of Payments BD to drive our growth in active accounts and reaffirm Stellar’s position as the leading blockchain for payments.

Responsibilities

• Manage the team responsible for driving Monthly Active Account volume on Stellar. This includes strategizing around: (1) payouts and commerce, (2) ramps and wallet growth for the Stellar ecosystem, and (3) vertical specific strategies on Aid.
• Develop a priority target list and ensure execution against primary targets.
• Manage key strategic relationships with global payment service providers.
• Business development work related to our core priorities on expanding DeFi, increasing monthly addresses, and driving asset tokenization, in coordination with Leads of each partnership vertical to drive relevant outcomes.
• Surfacing opportunities based on Stellar’s needs, as well as helping to close deals brought by other members of BD and SDF.
• Aid in regulatory and government relations needs in-region, helping support the Legal, Policy and Government Relations teams.
• Assist the Ecosystem team to identify, plan, and run events in-region.

Requirements

• 10+ years of relevant experience with a proven track record of success in business development, with significant experience in payment processing, fintech, or blockchain/crypto-related roles.
• Crypto Knowledge: Strong understanding of crypto payment systems, including experience working with cryptocurrency exchanges, blockchain technology, and digital asset payments.
• Deep understanding of merchant payment systems and the ability for blockchain to enhance these, with a focus on understanding of global and local payments across different regions.
• Sales/Commercial Leadership: Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams to meet and exceed targets.
• Strategic Thinker: Experience in developing and executing go-to-market strategies, identifying new business opportunities, and managing complex sales cycles.
• Industry Expertise: Experience working with financial institutions, crypto companies, payment providers, or fintech startups.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a network of senior-level professionals, as well as sound judgment, poise in professional settings, and self-awareness.
• Self starter with an entrepreneurial drive.
• Communication & Negotiation Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and negotiate high-stakes deals.

Skills

• The ability to travel as needed, with frequent representation of Stellar at regional/global meetings and conferences.
• Bonus Points: Existing relationships within the crypto ecosystem, particularly with a focus on payments and decentralized finance. Existing relationships with payment companies and/or payment service providers.

Benefits

We offer competitive pay with a base salary range for this position of $255,000 - $370,000 depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, we offer lumen-denominated grants along with the following perks and benefits:

• USA Benefits/Perks: Competitive health, dental & vision coverage with most plans covered at 100% for the employee + any dependents
• Flexible time off + 15 company holidays including a company-wide holiday break
• Took 12 weeks of paid parental leave for both non-birthing and birthing parents, as well as up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy leave for birthing parents
• Gym reimbursement ($80 per month)
• Life & ADD (up to $50K)
• Short & Long term disability
• 401K with 4% match
• Health & Dependent Care FSA Accounts
• Commuter benefits with $250/month employer contribution
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with monthly employer contribution
• Family building benefits through Kindbody
• Wellbeing benefits (One Medical, Rightway, Headspace)
• L&D budget of $1,500/year
• Daily lunch and snacks in office
• Company retreats