About the job
About Column
At Column, we understand that for financial technology companies, the growth and innovation they seek can often be hindered by outdated banking infrastructures. Our team has a wealth of experience, having built and scaled successful companies like Plaid, Square, Meta, Blend, and Affirm. We've witnessed the challenges faced by builders and developers who must partner with traditional banks and navigate a convoluted system of APIs and vendors. This complexity results in an inefficient banking supply chain involving users, fintechs, middleware providers, banks, and regulatory bodies like the Federal Reserve.
Our mission at Column is to streamline this process. As both a bank and a software company, we're dedicated to providing technology-driven banking solutions that eliminate the need for numerous third-party vendors and middleware. This leads to a more secure, transparent, and cost-effective banking experience. Join us in redefining the future of finance!
Your Role
As the Emerging Markets Lead at Column, you will spearhead one of our most vital international expansion efforts. This role is pivotal in driving the growth of a new banking product, focusing on cultivating and managing strategic relationships with potential partners and clients in key markets, specifically in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. You will blend global expansion strategy with business development and hands-on relationship management, making it essential for you to be a versatile business professional who excels in networking and forming complex partnerships. This is an exceptional opportunity to be part of the founding team for a new business line, granting you substantial autonomy and direct influence over Column’s global growth strategy.
This position allows for flexibility, being based in Dubai or another key international financial hub, with regular travel across the region and quarterly visits to our headquarters in San Francisco.
Key Responsibilities
Regional Market Development: Take charge of the complete process of identifying, evaluating, and executing high-value partnerships with banks in various international markets.
Relationship Management: Act as the primary point of contact for prospective and existing clients, conducting regular in-person meetings, participating in local industry events, and fostering ongoing partnership growth.
Partner Strategy: Develop and implement strategic initiatives to maximize the value of partnerships, aligning them with Column’s overall business objectives.

