Head of Payments

Interested in working on cutting-edge blockchain technology and creating equitable access to the global financial system? Since 2014, the mission-driven team at the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) has helped fuel the tremendous growth of the Stellar blockchain network, an open-source platform that operates at high-scale today. Developers and companies around the world build on it, and the SDF team is expanding to support the rapidly growing and changing Stellar ecosystem.

We are looking for a seasoned Head of Payments BD to drive our growth in active accounts and reaffirm Stellar’s position as the leading blockchain for payments. The person in this role will serve as a key leader on the business team at Stellar and manage the business development team that is focused on growing active accounts on the Stellar network. Core areas are around building out Stellar’s payments and stablecoin ecosystem, growing wallets at a global scale, managing key verticals where we are strong like international aid, and growing into new verticals. This person will support the broader partnership team and company objectives, and will be the owner of primary OKRs focused on account growth and payment volume.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the team responsible for driving Monthly Active Account volume on Stellar. This includes strategizing around: (1) payouts and commerce, (2) ramps and wallet growth for the Stellar ecosystem, and (3) vertical specific strategies on Aid. This will also include a thorough analysis of the merchant payment ecosystem at a global scale and establishing a commercial engagement strategy to drive these onboarded to the Stellar network.
• Developing a priority target list and ensuring execution against primary targets.
• Managing key strategic relationships with global payment service provider.
• Business development work related to our core priorities on expanding DeFi, increasing monthly addresses, and driving asset tokenization, in coordination with Leads of each partnership vertical to drive relevant outcomes. These include surfacing opportunities based on Stellar’s needs, as well as helping to close deals brought by other members of BD and SDF. 
• Assist on regulatory and government relations needs in-region, helping support the Legal, Policy and Government Relations teams. 
• Assist the Ecosystem team to identify, plan, and run events in-region.

You have:

• 10+ years of relevant experience with a proven track record of success in business development, with significant experience in payment processing, fintech, or blockchain/crypto-related roles.
• Crypto Knowledge: Strong understanding of crypto payment systems, including experience working with cryptocurrency exchanges, blockchain technology, and digital asset payments.
• Deep understanding of merchant payment systems and the ability for blockchain to enhance these, with a focus on understanding of global and local payments across different regions
• Sales/Commercial Leadership: Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams to meet and exceed targets.
• Strategic Thinker: Experience in developing and executing go-to-market strategies, identifying new business opportunities, and managing complex sales cycles.
• Industry Expertise: Experience working with financial institutions, crypto companies, payment providers, or fintech startups.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a network of senior-level professionals, as well as sound judgment, poise in professional settings, and self-awareness. 
• Self starter with an entrepreneurial drive.
• Communication & Negotiation Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and negotiate high-stakes deals.
• The ability to travel as needed, with frequent representation of Stellar at regional/global meetings and conferences.

Bonus points if you have: