At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow strategic partnerships with financial institutions to drive revenue and market reach.
- Company: Join Planet, a leading tech company revolutionising payments for a seamless customer experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Diversity is valued here; we want you to thrive in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fast-paced fintech world while collaborating with top executives.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in managing high-value partnerships and engaging with executive stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 99000 - 121000 £ per year.
About Us
Planet is a leading technology company transforming payments by putting customer experience first.
We offer integrated solutions that include payment processing, VAT refunds, dynamic currency conversion, and management services for merchants in the Retail and Hospitality sectors worldwide.
In recent years, we have experienced significant growth, expanding our services and global presence.
With strong private equity investors, Advent International and Eurazeo, we have the financial capital and expertise to grow our capabilities and reach through acquisitions.
Our mission is to create a world of connected commerce where payments are simple, secure, and seamless, enabling our partners to deliver exceptional experiences to their customers.
Role Overview
The VP, Strategic FI Partnerships is responsible for leading and growing a portfolio of Planet's most strategically important financial institution partnerships.
These relationships represent some of Planet's most significant partnership-led revenue opportunities and play a critical role in Planet's growth strategy.
The role requires executive-level relationship management, commercial leadership and the ability to drive complex cross-functional initiatives across multiple regions and business units.
This individual will own the commercial performance, operational delivery and long-term strategic development of these partnerships, ensuring Planet maximises growth opportunities while delivering against complex contractual, operational and commercial commitments.
The role is accountable for partnerships that represent a significant proportion of Planet's strategic partnership growth opportunity and requires executive-level engagement both internally and externally.
This is a highly visible role with significant exposure to executive stakeholders.
While the position has no direct reports, it requires leadership through influence across Product, Technology, Operations, Commercial, Finance, Legal and Risk teams globally.
What You Will Do
- Lead Strategic Financial Institution Partnerships
- Own and develop a portfolio of Planet's most commercially significant financial institution partnerships.
- Serve as Planet's senior commercial representative for assigned partners.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with executive and senior stakeholder groups across partner organisations.
- Lead strategic planning, executive governance and business review activities.
- Develop and execute long-term partnership strategies aligned to Planet's business objectives.
- Identify and deliver opportunities to increase partnership value, market reach and revenue contribution.
- Provide strategic recommendations and partnership insights to senior leadership.
- Act as the executive sponsor and escalation point for critical partnership initiatives.
- Drive Commercial Growth
- Deliver sustainable revenue growth across assigned partnerships.
- Develop and execute joint business plans with clear commercial objectives and measurable outcomes.
- Expand partner-generated pipeline and improve conversion performance.
- Identify opportunities to introduce new products, services and capabilities within existing partner ecosystems.
- Drive expansion into new markets, customer segments and growth opportunities.
- Shape commercial strategies that maximise the long-term value of strategic partnerships.
- Monitor industry trends and market developments to ensure Planet captures emerging opportunities.
- Deliver Strategic Programmes and Agreements
- Own the successful execution of high-value strategic agreements and commitments.
- Translate complex contractual obligations into actionable delivery plans and measurable outcomes.
- Lead large-scale cross-functional initiatives involving multiple products, business units and geographies.
- Coordinate internal stakeholders to ensure alignment, accountability and timely execution.
- Proactively identify risks, remove barriers and resolve issues that could impact delivery or partner success.
- Ensure all programmes are supported by robust governance, reporting and performance tracking.
- Maintain executive visibility of progress, risks and key decisions.
- Influence Across the Organisation
- Act as the senior partnership lead across Product, Technology, Operations, Finance, Legal, Risk and Commercial functions.
- Align internal stakeholders around shared strategic priorities and business outcomes.
- Lead and influence without direct reporting authority.
- Represent partnership priorities within executive discussions and strategic decision-making forums.
- Drive organisational focus and investment in areas that support long-term partnership success.
- Foster strong collaboration across teams to ensure delivery against strategic objectives.
- Optimise Partnership Performance
- Drive initiatives that improve customer acquisition, revenue generation and solution adoption.
- Support the growth of Planet's payments, acquiring and value-added services within partner portfolios.
- Establish scalable engagement models, processes and commercial frameworks.
- Monitor performance metrics and implement improvement plans where required.
- Identify opportunities to deepen existing relationships and unlock additional strategic value.
- Ensure partnerships continue to deliver meaningful commercial and competitive advantage to Planet.
- Governance and Compliance
- Maintain oversight of partnership performance, commercial commitments and contractual obligations.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, network requirements and Planet policies.
- Maintain accurate forecasting, reporting and performance visibility.
- Support executive governance forums with clear updates, recommendations and decision points.
- Ensure effective risk management across partnership activities and strategic programmes.
- Travel internationally as required to support strategic partner relationships and initiatives.
Who You Are
- Extensive experience managing high-value strategic partnerships within payments, financial services, fintech or related industries.
- Proven success growing revenue through complex partner ecosystems and commercially significant relationships.
- Experience engaging with executive stakeholders within large financial institutions, payment providers or enterprise organisations.
- Strong track record of leading complex commercial agreements involving multiple stakeholders, products and geographies.
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive outcomes without direct authority.
- Strong commercial acumen combined with excellent strategic judgement.
- Comfortable operating in complex, international and fast-moving environments.
- Highly effective at balancing long-term strategic priorities with operational execution.
- Strong programme management, governance and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Deep understanding of payments, acquiring, merchant services, acceptance solutions or related financial technology ecosystems.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity, solve complex business challenges and drive alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Willingness to travel internationally as required
- Why Planet
Planet is an equal opportunity employer where diversity is valued, and all employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
Come and grow your career in the most exciting, fast-paced technology market, with a business that delivers feel-good connected commerce.
We would love to hear from you. Apply now.
At Planet, we embrace a hybrid work model, with three days a week in the office.
Reasonable accommodations may be made in order to allow for an individual to perform the essential functions of this role successfully.
VP, Strategic FI Partnerships in London employer: Planet Payment
At Planet, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our diverse opportunities for professional development, particularly in the fast-paced technology sector. With our headquarters in London, we provide a hybrid work model that balances office engagement with flexibility, ensuring our team members thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP, Strategic FI Partnerships in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Planet Payment. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace VP, Strategic FI Partnerships in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Planet Payment.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Planet Payment's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Planet Payment
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Planet Payment.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Planet Payment will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Planet Payment employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
