Director: Strategic Partnerships & Business Development

About Planet 

Planet is a global provider of integrated technology and payments solutions for retail and hospitality customers.  

We create great experiences for the millions of people who use our payments, software, and tax-free solutions every minute of every day. 

Planet empowers its customers to deliver great customer experiences by combining payments and software in ways that drive greater loyalty, increase revenue and save time. 

Founded over 35 years ago and with our headquarters in London, today we have more than 2,500 employees located across six continents serving our customers in more than 120 markets. 

Role Overview:

Based on the East Coast of North America, this role will manage Strategic Partnerships between Planet and a range of in-store and online technology and solution providers across Retail and Hospitality. These partners will include third-party Property Management Software (PMS) providers, till systems, booking engines, and self-check-in kiosk providers. The position combines Business Development and relationship management: identifying new revenue opportunities, opening strategic conversations with target partners, converting partnership potential into qualified pipeline and measurable commercial growth, and developing existing partnerships over the long term.

We are looking for a candidate with strong knowledge of the North American technology-partnership ecosystem and established relationships across payments, Retail, Hospitality, and relevant software providers. The ideal candidate will combine a hunter mindset with disciplined relationship management: sourcing and signing high-potential partners, then building the governance, engagement, and joint commercial motions required to turn those relationships into sustainable growth. Strategic thinking is essential—the role requires someone capable of connecting technology, partnerships, and business growth to shape successful go-to-market initiatives.

What you will do: 

•  Manage a portfolio of existing Partners to drive engagement and grow commercial relationships, resulting in increased inbound leads.
• Analyze the wider payments ecosystem and make recommendations on potential new partners that would amplify Planet’s proposition, accelerate Go-to-Market, and increase the impact and visibility of our brand. You will then develop crisp and compelling business cases to champion the addition of these partners into Planet’s technical stack.
• Develop commercial partnerships and sign mutually advantageous agreements with these new partners.
• Build and execute partner development plans that define target segments, commercial objectives, lead-generation motions, conversion priorities, and success metrics for each strategic partner.
• Work with Partners to develop joint pipelines and prospect lists, always seekign to maximise the pipeline of deals we win together – both new logos and cross-sell.
• Lead proactive Business Development efforts by mapping target accounts, identifying whitespace opportunities, initiating partner-led commercial conversations, and building a qualified pipeline with clear revenue potential.
• Support partners to ensure they and the merchants they bring to Planet are onboarded and supported to the highest standard.
• Craft joint value propositions that are compelling for Planet, our Partners and our Customers. You will be able to confidently pitch the proposition in an exciting and inspirational way.
• Set, drive and be accountable for a core set of KPIs per Partner, both commercial and operational.
• Work closely with our regional Sales teams to ensure they are capturing ad successfully progressing all Partner opportunities.
• Work closely with our Product, Technology and Solution Consulting teams to ensure new developments and integrations for Partners are prioritized and delivered.
• Collaborate with our Partner Marketing team to drive partnership awareness and engagement campaigns to accelerate joint business growth.

Who you are:

•  Good understanding of the Hospitality/Retail and Payments industries.
• Experience managing sizable Partners up to a senior engagement level.
• Proven ability to challenge the status quo and challenge our thinking.
• Excellent and well evidenced commercial instincts. You can demonstrate a proven track of business delivery from the accounts/partners you have managed.
• Strategic thinking – understanding and articulating the big picture and how Planet fits into this picture. You monitor the changes in the competitive landscape and the reviews by the industry analysts to understand market trends.
• Ability to prioritize and focus on tasks that drive highest level of commercial value.
• Strong Business Development mindset, with the ability to source, qualify, structure, and progress opportunities from early-stage partner discussions through to commercial execution.
• Energy and drive – bouncing ideas off other people, asking questions, and being keen to learn.
• You collaborate, engage in a respectful manner focusing on customer needs.
• You are comfortable in a flexible, dynamic and high paced environment.
• Fluent English speaker, with a second language preferred. Experience working in and navigating a global company.

Why Planet: 

Planet is an equal opportunity employer where diversity is valued, and all employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. 

Come and grow your career in the most exciting, fast paced technology market, with a business that delivers feel-good connected commerce. We would love to hear from you – Apply now. 

At Planet, we embrace a hybrid work model, with three days a week in the office.
 

Reasonable accommodations may be made in order to allow for an individual to perform the essential functions of this role successfully.