FinTech / Payments Business Development Specialist
Financial Technology Partners (FT Partners) is seeking a Payments-focused Business Development Specialist to join their San Francisco team. This role is integral to the firm's efforts in the payments sector, encompassing areas such as card networks, merchant acquiring, payment facilitators, B2B payments, real-time payments infrastructure, cross-border remittance, and embedded finance. The specialist will play a pivotal role in identifying strategic opportunities, conducting in-depth sector research, developing client-facing materials, and fostering relationships with leading payments companies globally.
Key responsibilities include monitoring industry trends, mergers and acquisitions activity, and emerging technologies across the payments value chain, including card-not-present, account-to-account (A2A), Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), open banking, and ISO 20022 modernization. The specialist will leverage comprehensive research and analysis of the payments sector to drive deal sourcing and pipeline development. Additionally, the role involves leading analysts in developing client targeting strategies, analyzing prospective companies, and advancing the business development pipeline. Direct collaboration with leadership of leading payments companies will enhance the firm's diligence and assessment of each opportunity. The specialist will also work closely with senior bankers to develop presentations and other materials to secure new mandates and manage the maintenance and enhancement of internal databases for market intelligence, transaction activity, and target clients across merchant services, payment processors, issuer processors, and adjacent verticals.
Candidates should possess 3–5 years of experience in investment banking, consulting, venture capital, corporate strategy, or a related field. A strong knowledge of the payments ecosystem—including acquirers, issuers, networks, processors, payment facilitators, and next-generation rails—is essential. A deep understanding of fintech market dynamics, including regulatory trends such as Reg E, PSD2, FedNow, and RTP, as well as competitive dynamics, is required. Superior research, writing, and presentation skills are necessary, along with a bachelor's degree from a top-tier institution; an advanced degree or MBA is a plus.
Compensation for this role includes a base salary ranging from $130,000 to $150,000, complemented by bonus potential and a comprehensive benefits package.
FT Partners is the only investment bank focused exclusively on the financial technology sector, delivering world-class strategic and financial advisory services to the most innovative companies shaping the future of finance. The firm fosters a collaborative and innovative work environment, encouraging continuous learning and growth. Employees are provided with opportunities for career advancement and are valued for their proactive, adaptable, and excellence-driven approach.