We are looking for a hands-on Strategic Partnership Manager to own and grow our referral partner channel from the ground up. This role is the engine behind day-to-day partner relationships - keeping accounts healthy, optimizing the processes that drive referral volume, and overseeing the programs that make our partnership channel a competitive advantage in small business lending.
You'll work closely with partners who refer small business clients to us for lending solutions, so a deep understanding of referral and affiliate program mechanics is a major plus. Experience in financial services - especially small business lending - is strongly preferred. If you've built or operated within a referral network in the lending space, you'll feel right at home.
What you will do:Account Management & Day-to-Day Partner Operations- Serve as the primary point of contact for a dedicated portfolio of strategic and referral partners.
- Own the full partner lifecycle: onboarding, activation, ramp-up, and ongoing retention.
- Establish consistent engagement routines and proactive touchpoints to drive partner loyalty and production.
- Resolve partner issues quickly and decisively, positioning the company as the preferred, easiest-to-work-with lending partner.
- Maintain a pulse on each account's health, flagging at-risk relationships early and intervening with targeted support.
Process Improvement & Program Optimization- Continuously audit and improve the workflows, tools, and communication cadences that govern the partner channel.
- Identify friction points in the referral submission and funding pipeline and work cross-functionally to eliminate them.
- Design and refine scalable partner enablement programs: training materials, product guides, co-marketing resources, and incentive structures.
- Leverage CRM data (Salesforce) to surface insights on partner behavior and program performance, translating findings into operational improvements.
Referral Program Oversight- Oversee the day-to-day operations of our referral and affiliate programs, ensuring partners understand the mechanics, expectations, and incentives.
- Monitor referral pipeline health - lead quality, submission consistency, conversion rates - and work with partners to close gaps.
- Collaborate with marketing and product teams to evolve program structure as market dynamics shift.
- Ensure program compliance with company policies and industry standards.
Performance Reporting- Track and report on key partner KPIs: referral volume, activation rates, funding conversion, and portfolio growth.
- Deliver regular performance updates to the Director of Strategic Partnerships with data-driven recommendations.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of all partner activity in Salesforce.
What We're Looking For:- 3-6 years of experience in account management, partner/channel management, or business development.
- Strong understanding of referral program mechanics - how they're structured, what drives partner engagement, and how to optimize them.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a large portfolio of accounts simultaneously with a high degree of organization and follow-through.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills; comfortable engaging with partners of all sizes and sophistication levels.
- Analytical mindset: comfortable pulling and interpreting CRM and performance data to drive decisions.
- Self-starter who thrives in an individual contributor role with autonomy.
- Background in financial services, fintech, alternative lending, or banking preferred.
- Hands-on experience with referral or affiliate programs in small business lending specifically - this is a significant differentiator.
- Familiarity with affiliate/partner management platforms (e.g., Impact.com or similar).
- Working knowledge of small business lending products: term loans, lines of credit, revenue-based financing, etc.
- Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM.
Kapitus Total Rewards Package Includes: - Competitive Base Salary Range of $89,700-$143,900. Kapitus is providing this as a good faith salary range to comply with applicable law. The applicant's final salary will depend on a number of factors including the applicant's geographic location, skills, and experience.
- Quarterly Incentive Compensation Eligibility - based on meeting KPI's and metrics
- Health Insurance: We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and employer-paid vision plans through UnitedHealthcare (UHC), with various coverage levels available to meet the needs of our employees and their families.
- 100% Company Paid Insurances: Kapitus fully covers the cost of basic short-term and long-term disability insurance, as well as vision insurance, ensuring our employees have comprehensive protection without any personal expense.
- Voluntary Insurance: Supplemental life insurance as well as enhanced short- and long-term disability coverage are available through Mutual of Omaha, providing additional security for our employees. Additionally, Colonial Accident and Hospitalization insurances are also available, offering further protection against unforeseen events.
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave: Beyond state-mandated leave policies, Kapitus provides company-paid maternity and parental leave, supporting our employees during important family milestones.
- LifeBalance Program: Enhance your lifestyle with our LifeBalance membership, which offers discounts on outdoor activities, the arts, health, and fitness. Additional benefits include:
- Pet and car insurance discounts.
- Financial services such as LegalShield.
- Relaxation and stress management tools, including a fully covered annual subscription to The Calm App.
- Plum Benefits Discount Program: Access exclusive discounts on shows, travel, car rentals, and more, enriching your personal and family life.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Pursue further education with up to $5,000 annually in tuition reimbursement, plus opportunities to attend relevant conferences and career development events.
- Transit Reimbursement: We also offer transit reimbursement for all work-related travel, supporting your involvement in career and personal development activities.
- Paid Time Off and Sick Time
- Retirement Benefits: Our 401K plan is managed through Fidelity, featuring a 25% match on employee contributions, helping you plan for a secure financial future.
Consideration will be given to qualified remote candidates residing in states where Kapitus and/or one of its subsidiaries has an established physical presence.
