Strategic Partnership Manager

Kapitus•Charlotte, NC

2d•$89,700 - $143,900

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.

Benefits

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.