VP of Strategic Partnerships

Zilch is a payment tech company on a mission to create the most empowering way to pay for anything, anywhere. Combining the best of debit, credit and savings, we give our customers the option to earn instant cashback or spread the cost of pricier purchases, completely interest free and with no late fees. Pretty great, right?

We started in 2018 with a small team and a big dream - to make credit accessible to all. Since then, we've achieved double unicorn status and taken on more than 5 million customers. There are some exciting projects coming up and we've got big growth plans.

Want to join us?

About the role

We are seeking a commercially driven, strategic, and execution-focused VP of Strategic Partnerships to define and scale Zilch's global partnership strategy. This executive will own the end-to-end partnership lifecycle - from strategy and origination through negotiation, launch, and long term value creation - driving measurable revenue growth, distribution expansion, and ecosystem advantage. This is a high impact leadership role requiring a blend of fintech expertise, commercial structuring capability, and startup operator mindset.

What you'll do

• Develop and own Zilch's global partnerships strategy aligned to company growth objectives
• Identify high impact opportunities across issuing banks, card networks, merchants, platforms, and embedded finance ecosystems
• Translate corporate strategy into actionable partnership roadmaps

Revenue & Commercial Ownership

• Drive significant revenue contribution through partner channels
• Structure complex commercial agreements (revenue share, interchange splits, incentive structures, risk sharing models)
• Own partnership P&L impact, performance tracking, and optimisation
• Establish scalable, repeatable partner programs rather than one off deals

Deal Origination & Negotiation

• Source and close strategic, enterprise level partnerships
• Lead executive negotiations with banks, networks, major merchants, and technology platforms
• Navigate regulatory, compliance, and risk considerations in partnership structures

Cross Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Product, Risk, Operations, Legal, Compliance, Marketing, Finance, and Engineering teams
• Translate partner requirements into product and operational deliverables
• Ensure seamless partner integration and launch readiness
• Align internal incentives to maximise partner performance

Ecosystem Development

• Build and maintain senior relationships across fintech, payments, retail, and platform ecosystems
• Represent Zilch externally at industry events, conferences, and executive forums
• Monitor competitive landscape and emerging embedded finance trends
• Build and lead a high performing partnerships organisation
• Establish KPIs, governance, and performance accountability
• Coach and develop senior partnership leaders
• Implement scalable processes and partnership infrastructure

What we're looking for

• Proven senior level experience in fintech, payments, consumer lending, BNPL, or financial services
• Proven track record of building and scaling strategic partnerships that drive revenue growth
• Experience negotiating complex, multi million pound enterprise agreements
• Deep understanding of payments economics (interchange, network incentives, merchant acquiring)
• Exposure to consumer credit, underwriting models, and regulatory frameworks preferred
• Experience in high growth or venture backed environments strongly preferred

Skills

• Exceptional commercial acumen and financial modelling capability
• Strategic thinker with strong execution bias
• Influential executive communicator with board level presence
• Strong cross functional leadership skills
• Data driven decision maker with operational rigour

What Success Looks Like

• Meaningful revenue growth driven through partnership channels
• New strategic distribution channels unlocked
• Scalable partner programs embedded into Zilch's operating model
• A best in class partnerships function built for long term growth

Benefits

Compensation & Savings

• Income Protection
• Permanent employees enjoy access to our Share Options Scheme
• 5% back on in app purchases
• £200 for WFH setup
• Private Medical Insurance including GP consultations (video, telephone or face to face), prescribed medication, inpatient, day patient and outpatient care, mental health support, physiotherapy, advanced cancer cover
• Employee Assistance Programme including unlimited mental health sessions, 24/7 remote GP & physiotherapy, 24/7 helpline for emotional & practical support
• Savings & discounts on everyday shopping
• 1:1 personalised well being consultations

Family Friendly Policies

• Enhanced maternity pay
• Enhanced paternity pay
• Enhanced adoption pay
• Enhanced shared parental leave

Learning & Development

• Professional Qualifications
• Professional Memberships
• Learning Suite for e courses
• Internal Training Programmes
• FCA & Regulatory training
• Hybrid Working
• Casual dress code
• Workplace socials

To apply for this role

Please submit your CV along with a cover letter.

Zilch Technology is an equal opportunities employer and we encourage all applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.