# Strategic Partnerships Manager, Bank & Program Launch

**Company:** [Cardless](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/cardless)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA
**Role:** Partnerships
**Salary:** $150k – $200k/yr
**Experience:** 10+ years
**Skills:** Partnership Management, Account Management, Program Management, Fintech, Banking, Compliance, Legal, Product Management, Engineering, Program Governance, Third-Party Risk Management, Card Issuing, Credit Cards, Due Diligence
**Posted:** 2026-08-31

> Manages issuing-bank relationships and coordinates co-brand financial product launches from signed agreement through go-live. The role requires 10+ years in partnerships, account or program management, strong cross-functional communication, and experience in regulated environments.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Own ongoing relationship management with issuing bank partners as the primary contact for program status, open issues, and escalations.
- Manage partner expectations across active programs by proactively communicating risks, delays, and open items.
- Lead or support new co-brand program launches from kickoff through go-live, including partner materials, legal and compliance milestones, and launch timelines.
- Translate internal workstreams into clear, partner-ready updates in collaboration with Compliance, Legal, Product, and Engineering.
- Build and maintain trackers, status reports, and governance cadences such as partner check-ins and steering committees.
- Represent Cardless in partner meetings, including meetings with senior bank stakeholders, and prepare internal teams for those conversations.
- Identify and resolve friction involving rewards, payments, disputes, and other program mechanics before escalation.
- Support due diligence and onboarding for new bank and brand partners.

## Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in partnerships, account management, program management, or a related client-facing role, ideally in fintech, banking, or another regulated industry.
- Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder relationships involving technical, legal, and business considerations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex cross-functional work into clear partner updates.
- Proactive communication and risk-management skills.
- Experience working cross-functionally with compliance, legal, product, and engineering teams.
- Comfort operating in ambiguity and building processes from scratch.
- Based in or willing to work onsite in San Francisco.

## Nice-to-haves
- Experience with card issuing, co-brand credit card programs, or issuing banks.
- Familiarity with regulatory considerations for bank-fintech partnerships, including third-party risk management and program governance.
- Experience launching products or programs from contract signing through go-live.

## Compensation and Benefits
- Annual starting salary: **$150,000–$200,000**, plus equity and benefits.
- Meaningful startup equity.
- Health, vision, and dental coverage.
- Catered lunches.
- $250/month commuter benefit.
- Parental leave.
- Team-building events and happy hours.
- Flexible PTO with a minimum of 15 days off per year.
- Apple equipment.
- 401(k) plan.

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