Senior Manager, Strategic Payments Partnerships

About Sezzle:

With a mission to financially empower the next generation, Sezzle is revolutionizing the shopping experience beyond payments, blending cutting-edge tech with seamless, interest-free installment plans that make shopping smarter and more accessible. We’re not just transforming payments; we’re redefining how people discover, interact with, and purchase the things they love while driving real impact on merchant sales through increased conversions and higher order values. As we continue to shape the future of fintech and retail, we’re building an innovative, dynamic team passionate about creating more than just a transaction but a truly unique shopping journey. If you’re excited about pushing boundaries in tech and delivering a game-changing experience for consumers and merchants alike, come join us at Sezzle and help create the future of shopping!

Senior Manager, Strategic Payments Partnerships

About the Role

Sezzle is seeking a Senior Manager, Strategic Payments Partnerships to manage and grow relationships across a portfolio of critical payments, lending, and financial technology partners.

This role sits at the intersection of partnerships, product, technology, and operations. You will serve as the primary owner of assigned partner relationships, managing and growing existing partnerships while driving successful integrations, operational excellence, technical alignment, and ongoing partnership performance.

The ideal candidate combines strong relationship management and communication skills with deep technical fluency. You are equally comfortable leading business reviews, discussing APIs and integration requirements, coordinating cross-functional initiatives, and navigating complex operational challenges.

This is a high-autonomy individual contributor role with significant visibility across Product, Engineering, Risk, Finance, and executive leadership teams.

What You'll Own

Strategic Partnership Leadership

Serve as the primary relationship owner for Sezzle's most strategic payments, lending, and infrastructure partners

Lead executive business reviews, strategic planning sessions, and governance meetings with partner organizations

Identify and pursue opportunities to expand existing partnerships and unlock new revenue, product, and operational benefits

Represent Sezzle at partner meetings, executive briefings, and industry events

Product & Technical Partnership Management

Own strategic partner implementations end-to-end, from contract signing through integration, launch, and optimization

Serve as the internal subject matter expert on partner APIs, integration architecture, payment flows, and lending infrastructure

Drive alignment on integrations and product enhancements that improve customer, merchant, and operational outcomes

Monitor integration health, partner KPIs, and escalation paths, surfacing risks and resolving technical and operational issues

Commercial & Operational Leadership

Lead contract negotiations, renewals, and strategic expansion opportunities

Establish and monitor partnership KPIs, SLAs, operational health metrics, and performance scorecards

Build business cases and recommendations for partnership enhancements, operational improvements, and new integration opportunities

Identify, assess, and mitigate strategic, operational, and partner-related risks

Drive resolution of complex commercial, technical, and operational issues

Cross-Functional Influence

Align stakeholders across Product, Engineering, Risk, Finance, Legal, Revenue, and Operations around partnership priorities and initiatives

Serve as the internal expert on assigned partners, their capabilities, and strategic importance

Lead complex cross-functional initiatives spanning  executive, commercial, and technical stakeholders

Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of partnership initiatives and alignment on priorities, timelines, and deliverables

What We're Looking For

5+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, product management, payments, fintech, or a related field

Deep understanding of the payments ecosystem, including processors, gateways, acquiring, card networks, BNPL, lending infrastructure, and payment technology platforms

Strong technical fluency and the ability to comfortably discuss APIs, webhooks, integration architecture, payment flows, authentication, and technical implementation requirements

Proven experience managing complex strategic partnerships and executive-level relationships

Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional programs and influence stakeholders across multiple functions

Strong business acumen with exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship management skills

Highly organized, self-directed, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

AI fluency is required. We expect team members to actively leverage AI tools to increase productivity, accelerate research and analysis, improve communication, and enhance decision-making

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with payment processors, acquirers, lending platforms, card networks, or other financial technology infrastructure partners

Prior experience in fintech, payments, lending, consumer finance, or BNPL

Experience at a fast-paced, high-growth company

Background in technical account management, solutions engineering, product management, payments strategy, or platform partnerships

Proficiency with SQL and the ability to independently query, analyze, and interpret partner and transaction data to monitor performance and inform partnership decisions

Compensation:

The total compensation range for the role is $145,000 - $185,000 OTE (including base and variable). Our ranges are very broad to accommodate all types of candidates and encourage growth. Specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on factors such as education, experience, qualifications, and alignment with market data. Exceptional candidates may receive salaries outside of the posted ranges.

Success in This Role

Success in this role means building trusted relationships with Sezzle's most important partners, ensuring successful integrations and operational excellence, proactively identifying opportunities for improvement, and driving measurable value for both Sezzle and its partners.

Perks & Benefits:

Competitive salary

Unlimited PTO, volunteer hours and sabbatical

Life, STD/LTD, medical, dental and vision insurance

Highly discounted LifeTime gym membership

401k with match

Collaborative fun co-workers

The opportunity to join the fastest growing FinTech alongside a team of motivated and driven individuals

CCPA Disclosure: Sezzle Inc. is committed to protecting the privacy of our job applicants. In compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), we inform California residents about the personal information we may collect, the purposes for its collection, and your rights under the CCPA. For details about the categories of personal information we collect and your rights under the CCPA, please visit the California Office of the Attorney General's CCPA page. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this CCPA disclosure.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Sezzle Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status. Sezzle recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting our mission.

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