At a Glance
- Tasks: Launch and manage partnerships to revolutionise money movement in emerging markets.
- Company: Join a dynamic fintech startup backed by unicorn founders and top investors.
- Benefits: Central London office, global exposure, and a front-row seat to innovation.
- Other info: Fast hiring process with a paid work trial to ensure a great fit.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that shapes the future of payments with real impact.
- Qualifications: 1-4 years in fintech or a strong graduate with ownership and drive.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
We’re building the global payment network for money moving into, across, and out of the world’s emerging markets: instant, transparent, and affordable, with stablecoin rails under the hood. We’re backed by multiple unicorn fintech founders and some incredible investors like EWOR, Triple A, Digital Currency Group, Entourage, and Raba. We’re early enough that the people joining today define how this company works, and proven enough that the work is real from day one: live partners, live corridors, real money. The problems are hard, the surface area is global, and the prize is a rebuild of how money moves between the fastest-growing markets on earth.
About the role
We are looking for a Partnerships Associate to sit at the centre of Zuba's partner network: the banks, payout partners, and liquidity providers that move our money across emerging markets, from Africa to the Gulf to Asia. You will help scope, onboard, and manage those partners, working directly with the CEO and the Head of Network. This is an early-career role with an unusually steep curve. Within your first months you will be inside live partner negotiations, running onboarding processes that gate real money movement, and building the analysis that decides which corridors we open next. In a small team there is nowhere to hide and no ceiling on what you can take on. People who do this role well end up owning corridors.
What you’ll do
- Launch corridors: Scope the market, research counterparties, model deal economics, and negotiate commercials.
- Run partner onboarding end to end: Due diligence packs, KYB coordination, documentation, and integration tracking, from first call to first live transaction. You keep every thread moving.
- Track partner performance: Rates, SLAs, capacity, and settlement timeliness across the live stack. Spot the problem before it becomes an incident, and escape with the facts already assembled.
- Own the source of truth: Know what good pricing looks like in every corridor, and keep the comparison current on status, terms, and contracts. Every negotiation starts from your evidence, and every partner question is answered by your data.
- Do what the corridor needs: Small team, real money, moving fast. Some weeks that means chasing a stuck integration; others it means flying to a new market and building our partner stack there from scratch.
Who you are
- You’re early in an impressive career: 1-4 years in fintech, consulting, IB, PE, or a high-growth startup, or an exceptional graduate who can show us evidence of ownership and drive.
- You’re operationally relentless: You run multiple threads without dropping any, spot what’s broken, and fix it without being asked. People trust that anything handed to you gets done.
- You’re numerate and analytical: You’re comfortable in spreadsheets, you sanity-check figures instinctively, and you can turn messy data into a clear comparison.
- You're an exceptional communicator: Much of this role is crisp communication with the team and partners. You write clearly, build relationships quickly, and can represent Zuba externally with confidence.
- You thrive in ambiguity: You’re comfortable structuring problems, building the playbook from scratch, and balancing multiple priorities in real time, with real stakes.
- You are genuinely curious about emerging markets, payments infrastructure, and stablecoin rails, because you will be learning constantly.
- Bonus: Exposure to African markets. Familiarity with stablecoins or crypto infrastructure. A second language relevant to our corridors.
What we offer
- Central London office
- Global exposure from week one: real partners, real money, real stakes
- A front-row seat to building payment infrastructure, working directly with the founders
Our hiring process
- Intro chat (30 mins) with Josiah (CEO & Co-Founder). An informal conversation about your background, what draws you to payments, and what you are looking for.
- Case deep dive (45 mins). A practical working session on a realistic partner or corridor problem. We care about how you think, structure, and communicate, not whether you know our industry yet.
- Work trial (2 days, paid). The best way to see if we are a good fit is to work together, and we pay for your time. You'll spend two days with us at our Central London office, working on real problems alongside the team.
- Offer. If all goes well, we will extend an offer and cannot wait to welcome you aboard!
Partnerships Associate in London employer: Zuba
At Zuba, we are redefining the global payment landscape, and as a Partnerships Associate, you will be at the forefront of this transformation. Our vibrant Central London office fosters a dynamic work culture where innovation thrives, and every team member has a direct impact on our mission. With unparalleled opportunities for growth and exposure to real-world challenges from day one, you will not only develop your skills but also play a crucial role in shaping the future of money movement across emerging markets.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Partnerships Associate 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 Zuba. 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 Partnerships Associate 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 Zuba.
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 Zuba'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 Zuba
✨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 Zuba.
✨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 Zuba 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 Zuba 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.
