The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Partnership Manager (L2) within our organisation
2-3 years as an L2Skills to master
- Successfully managing a portfolio of 5-10 Tier 2/3 partners, consistently hitting pipeline targets, developing strong internal relationships, and demonstrating a knack for problem-solving.
You're ready to move on when
- You've consistently exceeded your partner-sourced pipeline and influenced revenue targets for mid-tier partners.
- You've successfully led several joint go-to-market initiatives from conception to execution.
- You're regularly sought out by junior colleagues for advice and guidance.
- You've demonstrated the ability to independently resolve complex partner issues without constant oversight.
- 2
Senior Business Development Manager (from another fintech firm)
5-7 years in a similar BD roleSkills to master
- A strong track record of closing complex deals, deep understanding of the fintech landscape, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to build strategic relationships from scratch.
You're ready to move on when
- You've consistently exceeded individual sales or BD targets in a complex B2B fintech environment.
- You've successfully negotiated and closed multi-year, high-value contracts.
- You can articulate a clear understanding of the partnership lifecycle and its strategic importance.
- You've demonstrated an ability to influence internal product and sales teams to support your initiatives.
- 3
Product Manager (with a strong GTM focus)
6-8 years in Product ManagementSkills to master
- Deep product knowledge, experience with API integrations, strong commercial acumen, and a proven ability to drive go-to-market strategies for new features or products.
You're ready to move on when
- You've successfully launched products or features that required significant external partnerships or integrations.
- You have a strong understanding of product-market fit and commercialisation strategies.
- You're comfortable engaging with external partners and representing product interests.
- You've demonstrated an ability to balance technical feasibility with commercial opportunity.