Director and

Country: United States of America

Your Journey Starts Here

Santander is a global leader and innovator in the financial services industry. We believe that our employees are our greatest asset. Our focus is on fostering an enriching journey that empowers you to explore diverse career opportunities while nurturing your personal growth. We are committed to creating an environment where continuous learning and development are prioritized, enabling you to thrive both professionally and personally. Here, you will find ample opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented colleagues from around the world, sharing insights and driving innovation together. Join us at Santander, where you are supported by a culture of engagement and a commitment to your success.

An exciting journey awaits, if you are interested in exploring the possibilities We Want to Talk to You!

The Difference You Make

Santander has launched Openbank in the U.S. — a next-generation digital bank with branches, with the ambition to become the market leader. As Sr. Director, Strategic Partnerships and Commercialization, you will play a pivotal role in building the strategic partnerships portfolio from the ground up to accelerate Openbank’s expansion and growth.

Reporting to the Head of Partnerships and based within the Retail Banking and Transformation (RBT) division, this high-impact role combines ownership of new partner acquisition with the management of a large, existing Tier 1 partnership. You will lead the creation, negotiation, and activation of high-value partnerships across fintech, technology, and distribution channels — helping to scale Openbank into the leading digitally led, branch-enabled bank in the U.S.

• Partner with the Head of Partnerships to define and execute Santander’s U.S. partnership and commercialization strategy — with a focus on accelerating Openbank’s market growth.
• Own the development of a robust portfolio of strategic partnerships, sourcing and securing Tier 1 relationships across fintech, technology, digital platforms, and aggregators.
• Manage and grow Santander’s existing high-value partnership, ensuring commercial success and deepening long-term alignment.
• Lead a high-performing team that drives execution across the full partner lifecycle — including outreach, pitch development, deal negotiation, launch execution, and performance management.
• Drive the identification and commercialization of fintech capabilities that enhance Openbank’s digital product experience and time-to-market advantage.
• Collaborate with Openbank and global Santander teams to align platform capabilities with U.S. partnership opportunities.
• Represent Santander in external partner meetings, industry events, and executive forums — bringing executive presence, clear communication, and commercial fluency.

What You Bring

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bachelor’s degree required: Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or related fields – Required.

Master’s degree Business, Finance Economics, Engineering, or related fields – Preferred.

12+ years in financial services or fintech, including roles in business development, product commercialization, or strategic partnerships - Required.

• Extensive experience in business development, partnerships, or commercialization within financial services, fintech, or embedded finance.
• Track record of building a deal pipeline and closing Tier 1 partnerships that drive measurable growth.
• Fluency in financial product economics — including P&L management, CAC/LTV, and vintage performance metrics.
• Experience managing partnerships across aggregator and digital distribution ecosystems.
• Strong cross-functional leadership with the ability to influence stakeholders across legal, finance, product, marketing, and tech.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills — with executive presence and comfort in external-facing leadership roles.
• Experience managing and motivating high-performing teams in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.

Certifications

No Certifications listed for this job.

It Would Be Nice For You To Have

Established work history or equivalent demonstrated through a combination of work experience, training, military service, or education.

What Else You Need To Know

The base pay range for this position is posted below and represents the annualized salary range. For hourly positions (non-exempt), the annual range is based on a 40-hour work week. The exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, training, licensure and certifications and location.

Base Pay Range

Minimum

$150,000.00 USD

Maximum

$270,000.00 USD

Link To Santander Benefits

Santander Benefits - 2025 Santander OnGoing/NH eGuide (foleon.com)

Risk Culture

We embrace a strong risk culture and all of our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

EEO Statement

At Santander, we value and respect differences in our workforce. We actively encourage everyone to apply. Santander is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Working Conditions

Frequent minimal physical effort such as sitting, standing and walking is required for this role. Depending on location, occasional moving and lifting light equipment and/or furniture may be required.

Employer Rights

This job description does not list all of the job duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. You may be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and either you or the employer may terminate your employment at any time for any reason.

What To Do Next

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible application process for all candidates. If you require any assistance or accommodation due to a disability or any other reason, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss your needs.

Primary Location: Boston, MA, Boston

Other Locations: Massachusetts-Boston, New York-New York, Florida-Coconut Grove

Organization: Santander Bank N.A.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F/Vet/Disabled/SO