Strategic Partnership Manager

Role Overview

• Serve as the primary point of contact for a dedicated portfolio of strategic and referral partners.
• Own the full partner lifecycle: onboarding, activation, ramp-up, and ongoing retention.
• Establish consistent engagement routines and proactive touchpoints to drive partner loyalty and production.
• Resolve partner issues quickly and decisively, positioning the company as the preferred, easiest-to-work-with lending partner.
• Maintain a pulse on each account’s health, flagging at-risk relationships early and intervening with targeted support.
• Continuously audit and improve the workflows, tools, and communication cadences that govern the partner channel.
• Identify friction points in the referral submission and funding pipeline and work cross-functionally to eliminate them.
• Design and refine scalable partner enablement programs: training materials, product guides, co-marketing resources, and incentive structures.
• Leverage CRM data (Salesforce) to surface insights on partner behavior and program performance, translating findings into operational improvements.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of our referral and affiliate programs, ensuring partners understand the mechanics, expectations, and incentives.
• Monitor referral pipeline health — lead quality, submission consistency, conversion rates — and work with partners to close gaps.
• Collaborate with marketing and product teams to evolve program structure as market dynamics shift.
• Ensure program compliance with company policies and industry standards.
• Track and report on key partner KPIs: referral volume, activation rates, funding conversion, and portfolio growth.
• Deliver regular performance updates to the Director of Strategic Partnerships with data-driven recommendations.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of all partner activity in Salesforce.

Requirements

• 3–6 years of experience in account management, partner/channel management, or business development.
• Strong understanding of referral program mechanics — how they’re structured, what drives partner engagement, and how to optimize them.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a large portfolio of accounts simultaneously with a high degree of organization and follow-through.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills; comfortable engaging with partners of all sizes and sophistication levels.
• Analytical mindset: comfortable pulling and interpreting CRM and performance data to drive decisions.
• Self-starter who thrives in an individual contributor role with autonomy.
• Background in financial services, fintech, alternative lending, or banking preferred.
• Hands-on experience with referral or affiliate programs in small business lending specifically — this is a significant differentiator.
• Familiarity with affiliate/partner management platforms (e.g., Impact.com or similar).
• Working knowledge of small business lending products: term loans, lines of credit, revenue-based financing, etc.
• Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM.

Benefits

• Competitive Base Salary Range of $89,700-$143,900.
• Quarterly Incentive Compensation Eligibility – based on meeting KPI's and metrics
• Health Insurance: We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and employer-paid vision plans through UnitedHealthcare (UHC), with various coverage levels available to meet the needs of our employees and their families.
• 100% Company Paid Insurances: Kapitus fully covers the cost of basic short-term and long-term disability insurance, as well as vision insurance, ensuring our employees have comprehensive protection without any personal expense.
• Voluntary Insurance: Supplemental life insurance as well as enhanced short
• and long-term disability coverage are available through Mutual of Omaha, providing additional security for our employees. Additionally, Colonial Accident and Hospitalization insurances are also available, offering further protection against unforeseen events.
• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave: Beyond state-mandated leave policies, Kapitus provides company-paid maternity and parental leave, supporting our employees during important family milestones.
• LifeBalance Program: Enhance your lifestyle with our LifeBalance membership, which offers discounts on outdoor activities, the arts, health, and fitness. Additional benefits include:
• Pet and car insurance discounts.
• Financial services such as LegalShield.
• Relaxation and stress management tools, including a fully covered annual subscription to The Calm App.
• Plum Benefits Discount Program: Access exclusive discounts on shows, travel, car rentals, and more, enriching your personal and family life.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Pursue further education with up to $5,000 annually in tuition reimbursement, plus opportunities to attend relevant conferences and career development events.
• Transit Reimbursement: We also offer transit reimbursement for all work-related travel, supporting your involvement in career and personal development activities.
• Paid Time Off and Sick Time
• Retirement Benefits: Our 401K plan is managed through Fidelity, featuring a 25% match on employee contributions, helping you plan for a secure financial future.