At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow strategic partnerships in fintech, driving innovation and collaboration.
- Company: Join Cleo, a fast-growing fintech startup on a mission to revolutionise money management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, flexible work arrangements, and health support.
- Other info: Inclusive culture encouraging diverse applicants and offering clear career progression.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance while making a real impact in people's lives.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in enterprise partnerships, strong negotiation skills, and data literacy.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Cleo
At Cleo, we’re not just building another fintech app. We’re on a mission to fundamentally change humanity’s relationship with money. Imagine a world where everyone, regardless of background or income, has access to a hyper‑intelligent financial advisor in their pocket. That’s the future we’re creating.
About the Role
We’re looking for a Partnerships Lead who will own and elevate Cleo’s most critical strategic partnerships, drive cross‑functional alignment, and shape the partner ecosystem that powers our product.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and grow Cleo’s key enterprise partnerships across payments, fraud, data and embedded finance.
- Negotiate independently and achieve above‑benchmark outcomes.
- Build trusted relationships quickly with internal and external stakeholders.
- Align Product, Engineering, Data, Compliance, Risk, and Operations around shared partnership goals.
- Act as the connector between internal teams and external partners, ensuring clarity of requirements and smooth delivery.
- Build scalable processes for partner onboarding, contracting and operational collaboration.
- Translate partner and user requirements into clear, actionable product specifications.
- Identify new product opportunities unlocked through partner capabilities.
- Define partner KPIs and design data strategies to track performance.
- Own commercial and operational reporting for enterprise partners and communicate insights proactively.
- Manage day‑to‑day partnership operations across payments, fraud, data and new opportunities, driving efficiency improvements across the partner ecosystem.
- Maintain deep understanding of fintech trends, competitor products and regulatory changes, coaching internal teams and shaping Cleo’s product and partnership strategy.
What We’re Looking For
- 5+ years managing enterprise partnerships in tech or fintech.
- Strong negotiator with a track record of exceeding industry benchmarks.
- Excellent requirements‑gathering and analytical skills.
- Deep critical‑thinking ability and comfortable diving into complex problems.
- Strong data literacy and experience with Excel or analytics tools.
- Effective communicator who can simplify complex issues.
- Experienced in collaborating cross‑functionally.
- Experience in the US and/or UK open banking ecosystem, including data aggregation platforms, regulatory environments and standards.
Nice to Haves
- Experience managing stakeholders across multiple countries and timezones.
- Background in B2C embedded finance, consumer lending, payments or cards.
- Experience in high‑growth, VC‑backed startups.
- Proven success driving business impact through vendor or partner relationships.
- Experience improving operational processes and project management.
What You Get for All Your Hard Work
- A competitive compensation package (base + equity) with bi‑annual reviews, aligned to our quarterly OKR planning cycles.
- Work at one of the fastest‑growing tech startups backed by top VC firms, Balderton & EQT Ventures.
- A clear progression plan with support to grow, lead others and own your impact.
- Flexibility and support for health and wellbeing, including global distribution options and travel coverage.
Welcoming Everyone
We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socio‑economic backgrounds. If there’s anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know.
Partnerships Lead employer: cleo
Cleo is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets inclusivity. As a Partnerships Lead, you'll thrive in a fast-paced fintech startup that prioritises employee growth with clear progression plans and bi-annual reviews, all while fostering a culture of collaboration and support for health and wellbeing. Join us in shaping the future of finance, backed by top VC firms, and be part of a mission-driven team that values diverse perspectives and empowers every individual to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Partnerships Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at Cleo or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Cleo’s partnerships and recent news in fintech. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since the role involves negotiating partnerships, think of scenarios where you can showcase your ability to achieve above-benchmark outcomes. Role-play with a friend if you can!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Cleo.
We think you need these skills to ace Partnerships Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Partnerships Lead role. Highlight your experience in managing enterprise partnerships, especially in tech or fintech, and showcase how your skills align with Cleo's mission.
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills:Since negotiation is key for this role, share specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated partnerships in the past. We want to see your track record of exceeding benchmarks and achieving great outcomes!
Communicate Clearly:Effective communication is crucial, so ensure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain complex ideas, and don’t forget to demonstrate your ability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Cleo!
How to prepare for a job interview at cleo
✨Know Your Partnerships Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Cleo's existing partnerships and understand their impact on the business. Be ready to discuss how you can elevate these partnerships and what strategies you would implement to drive cross-functional alignment.
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you exceeded benchmarks. Highlight your approach and the outcomes achieved. This will demonstrate your strong negotiation skills and your ability to deliver results that align with Cleo's mission.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice simplifying complex issues related to fintech and partnerships. During the interview, focus on clear communication, especially when discussing how you would translate partner requirements into actionable product specifications.
✨Stay Updated on Fintech Trends
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in fintech, especially around open banking and regulatory changes. Being knowledgeable about the industry will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you can coach internal teams effectively.
