At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial initiatives and partner performance while analysing data to boost growth.
- Company: YouLend, a fast-growing FinTech backed by EQT, serving top global partners.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, private medical insurance, and a vibrant work culture.
- Why this job: Take ownership of impactful projects and shape the future of embedded financing.
- Qualifications: 2-4 years in a data-driven role with strong analytical and people skills.
- Other info: Join an award-winning workplace with a supportive team and endless growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 85000 ÂŁ per year.
YouLend is a rapidly growing FinTech that is the preferred embedded financing platform for many of the world’s leading e-commerce platforms, tech companies, and Payment Service Providers. Our software platform enables our partners to extend their value proposition by offering flexible financing products in their own branding, to their merchant base, without capital at risk.
We are owned by the leading Private Equity company, EQT, and have grown +100% year-on-year since 2020. We are headquartered in London, UK, but are also present in several European countries as well as the United States where we service our partners, including eBay, Amazon, Just Eat, Shopify, and Stripe.
As a Commercial Strategy Associate, you’ll own high-impact problems end to end, from spotting opportunities in the data, to influencing internal teams, to getting buy-in from external partners and making things happen. You’ll sit at the intersection of data, partnerships, and execution, working on special projects that materially shape how YouLend grows. One day you might be deep in partner performance analysis; the next you could be leading a cross-functional initiative, supporting a major commercial negotiation with a global partner, or building the business case for launching in a new European market.
This role requires both:
- Strong people skills: Influencing, persuading, and presenting with confidence, often without formal authority.
- Strong analytical horsepower: Comfortable working deep in the data, building models, spotting patterns, and turning messy information into clear commercial judgement and action.
It’s a partner-facing role, and you’ll regularly work directly with senior stakeholders at some of YouLend’s most important partners. You need to be credible in front of them, able to tell a compelling story with data, and comfortable defending your recommendations. There is no rigid, predefined career ladder here at YouLend. The expectation and the opportunity is that you make the role your own. If you spot an opportunity for growth you’ll be encouraged to run with it. This role is ideal for someone who wants real responsibility early, thrives in ambiguity, and is excited by the idea of building rather than maintaining.
Responsibilities:
- Take full ownership of mission-critical commercial initiatives across partner performance, pricing, and market expansion, from identifying opportunities through to delivering measurable results.
- Help take new products, partners, and markets from zero to one and stepping in as the owner whenever something needs driving.
- Use commercial and partner data to diagnose problems, make judgement calls, and push through changes that improve growth, efficiency, and margins.
- Represent YouLend in senior partner conversations, owning business reviews, RFPs, pricing discussions, and key commercial negotiations.
- Cut across Product, Risk, Capital Markets, Operations, and Partnerships to align priorities, unblock teams, and get things shipped without relying on formal authority.
- Build and own the commercial models, forecasts, and dashboards which leadership relies on to run the business.
The ideal candidate will have the following skillset:
- A strong interest in fintech, lending, and commercial strategy.
- 2–4 years of experience in a data-driven, analytical, and commercial role (e.g. fintech, tech, consulting, banking or any other relevant role).
- Ownership mindset: You take responsibility for outcomes, not tasks, and drive work to completion without needing direction or oversight.
- Strong analytical judgement: You’re deeply data-driven, comfortable in the numbers, and able to make sound decisions with imperfect information.
- Commercial instinct: You understand how businesses actually make money and can balance growth, risk, and margin in real-world trade-offs.
- Credibility and presence: You can confidently convince senior internal stakeholders and external partners, even in high-stakes or ambiguous situations.
- Ability to influence without authority: You align and mobilise cross-functional teams through clarity, trust, and persistence rather than hierarchy.
- Bias to action and learning: You move fast, thrive in ambiguity, and pick up new concepts, products, and markets at pace.
Salary: ÂŁ60,000.00- ÂŁ85,000 OTE depending on experience.
Benefits:
- Award-Winning Workplace: YouLend has been recognised as one of the “Best Places to Work in 2024 and 2025” by the Sunday Times for being a supportive, diverse, and rewarding workplace.
- Award-Winning Fintech: YouLend has been recognised as a “Top 250 Fintech Worldwide” company by CNBC.
- It’s just getting fun: We have developed powerful solutions, won some significant partnerships, and are growing at a rapid pace.
- Lots of upsides: High-growth (>100% growth during 2022 and 2023), so clear outlook to compensation (bonus or share option appreciation) and career growth (through growth with business).
- Well-capitalised with supportive private equity backing.
- Part of Banking Circle Group with a fully licensed Luxembourg bank, which can provide a balance sheet and support European expansion in otherwise complex regulated markets.
- Motivating work environment: A high-quality team that pushes each other to succeed through direct feedback and aligned incentives.
- Strong and transparent team culture, we have each other’s backs.
- Independent work environment where results matter.
- Data-driven culture and emphasis on speed (anti-red tape).
- We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Stock Options
- Private Medical insurance via Vitality and Dental Insurance with BUPA
- EAP with Health Assured
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
- Modern and sophisticated office space in Central London
- Free Gym in office building in Holborn
- Subsidised Lunch via Feedr
- Deliveroo Allowance if working late in office
- Monthly in office Masseuse
- Team and Company Socials
- Football Power League / Paddle and Yoga Club
At YouLend, we champion diversity and embrace equal opportunity employment practices. Our hiring, transfer, and promotion decisions are exclusively based on qualifications, merit, and business requirements, free from any discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, nationality, or any other protected basis under applicable law.
Commercial Strategy Associate employer: YouLend
Contact Detail:
YouLend Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Strategy Associate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fintech space, especially those connected to YouLend. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into YouLend's business model and recent news. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for fintech and how you can contribute to our growth story.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! When discussing your experiences, frame them in a way that highlights your analytical prowess and ability to influence others. We want to see how you can turn data into action.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Strategy Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for FinTech: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the FinTech industry shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about lending and commercial strategy, so share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight this passion.
Be Data-Driven: Since this role is all about data, make sure to showcase your analytical skills in your application. Use specific examples where you've turned data into actionable insights or made decisions based on your findings. We love a good story backed by numbers!
Highlight Your Ownership Mindset: We’re looking for candidates who take responsibility for outcomes. In your application, mention instances where you’ve driven projects from start to finish without needing much direction. Show us how you can own your work and deliver results!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the Commercial Strategy Associate role. We appreciate when candidates put in the effort to connect their background with what we’re looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at YouLend
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Strategy Associate, you'll need to be comfortable with data. Brush up on key metrics relevant to YouLend and the fintech industry. Be ready to discuss how you’ve used data in past roles to drive decisions or influence outcomes.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
You’ll often need to present complex data in a compelling way. Practice telling a story with your data—how did you identify a problem, what actions did you take, and what were the results? This will help you demonstrate your analytical judgement and commercial instinct.
✨Showcase Your Ownership Mindset
YouLend values candidates who take responsibility for outcomes. Prepare examples from your previous experience where you took initiative and drove projects to completion without needing direction. This will highlight your ownership mindset and bias to action.
✨Prepare for High-Stakes Conversations
Since this role involves influencing senior stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about potential scenarios you might face in partner discussions and prepare your responses. This will help you build credibility and presence during the interview.