Emerging Markets Lead

Responsibilities

• Lead regional market development: identify, evaluate, and execute high-value bank partnerships across selected African markets with potential expansion into Asia and Europe.
• Build and maintain key relationships: own relationships with prospective and existing customers, run regular in-person meetings and attend local industry events.
• Own partnership execution: manage complex deal processes from outreach through contract signature, coordinating with Legal, Compliance, and Product.
• Develop market intelligence: gather and synthesize insights on market conditions, regulations, competitors, and customer needs to inform regional strategy.
• Become market expert: develop deep knowledge of correspondent banking and build extensive networks within banking and fintech ecosystems.
• Drive operational excellence: create scalable onboarding, relationship management, and support processes for replication across markets.

Requirements

• 6+ years experience
• Business development
• Partnerships experience
• Strategic thinking
• Project management
• Executive engagement
• Travel flexibility
• Network building

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at top-tier technology company or management consulting firm
• Track record managing complex, high-value deals with executive stakeholders
• Direct experience in banking, correspondent banking, or fintech partnerships in emerging markets
• Strong regional network across African markets (or demonstrated ability to build one)
• Comfort operating with autonomy in a 0-to-1 expansion role

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans (options include employer-covered plans)
• Family medical insurance options
• FSA and HSA account options
• 401(k) plan options
• Flexible time-off / paid leave policy
• 100% paid parental leave (varied durations by caregiver type)
• Reimbursements for backup childcare and regular team events

About the Company

Column is a bank and software company building technology-forward banking infrastructure that simplifies the banking supply chain for fintechs and builders. Founded by leaders from companies such as Plaid, Square, Meta, Blend, and Affirm, Column provides integrated banking and software solutions that reduce complexity, cost, and vendor layers. This role is flexible to be based in Dubai or another international financial hub, with regular regional travel and periodic travel to Column’s headquarters in San Francisco.