Strategic Business Development Manager at Zola

London, England, United Kingdom

Zola Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
FinTech, Banking, Consumer FinanceIndustries

Requirements

  • Demonstrated success in national-level sales or partnerships, preferably within fintech, retail, or SaaS sectors (e.g., negotiating with leading grocery chains or coordinating SaaS launches with fashion retailers)
  • Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills (e.g., structuring revenue share agreements or troubleshooting contract terms)
  • Ability to influence (inferred from context of engaging senior executives and stakeholders)

Responsibilities

  • Set the strategic direction for product verticals in partnership with the leadership team (e.g., devising go-to-market strategies for retail finance products, balancing commercial objectives with long-term brand development)
  • Identify, engage, and secure partnerships with major national merchants generating over £50 million in GMV, managing the entire sales process from prospecting to contract negotiation (e.g., with high-street retailers or e-commerce platforms, developing relationships to multi-year agreements)
  • Craft tailored value propositions and commercial models, collaborating with internal teams (e.g., product, tech, marketing, design) to develop bespoke solutions like custom integration packages or flexible pricing models
  • Represent Zopa at industry events, delivering talks at conferences or roundtable discussions, networking with decision-makers, and staying abreast of emerging trends (e.g., Retail Week Live or FinTech Connect, applying insights to refine vertical strategy)
  • Work independently in the field, utilizing data and market insights to shape vertical strategies, serve as a thought partner to senior stakeholders (e.g., analyzing market reports, monitoring competitors, piloting new customer journeys)
  • Lead acquisition and expansion of high-value national partnerships, establish Zopa’s footprint in key verticals, set sales rhythm and strategy, oversee specific verticals, craft go-to-market plans, ensure successful launches and sustained relationships across all levels

Skills

Business Development
Strategic Partnerships
Sales Strategy
Go-to-Market Planning
Partnership Management
FinTech
POS Finance
Credit Checks
Vertical Management
Sales Leadership

Zola

Online wedding planning and registry platform

About Zola

Zola.com is an online platform designed for couples planning their weddings. It offers a variety of services including customizable wedding invitations, venue and vendor recommendations, and a gift registry that allows couples to manage gifts, experiences, and cash funds all in one place. The platform simplifies the wedding planning process by providing tools for managing guest lists, tracking RSVPs, and meal selections. Zola stands out from competitors by allowing couples to exchange gifts for credit before they are shipped, enhancing the gift-giving experience. The company generates revenue through commissions from vendors and venues booked through its platform, as well as from the sale of wedding-related products. Zola's goal is to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience for engaged couples, making wedding planning easier and more organized.

New York City, New YorkHeadquarters
2013Year Founded
$164.6MTotal Funding
SERIES_DCompany Stage
Consumer Software, Consumer GoodsIndustries
201-500Employees

Benefits

Hybrid Work Options
Flexible Work Hours

Risks

Emerging platforms offering similar services at lower costs threaten Zola's market share.
Economic downturns may reduce spending on weddings, impacting Zola's revenue.
Expansion into baby registries may dilute Zola's brand focus on weddings.

Differentiation

Zola offers a unique AI tool to balance wedding planning decisions.
Zola's comprehensive platform includes customizable invitations and vendor recommendations.
Zola's guest list management tool streamlines RSVP tracking and meal selections.

Upsides

Zola's AI tool aligns with the trend of integrating AI in wedding planning.
The rise of micro-weddings creates demand for Zola's tailored services.
Zola's digital marketing can leverage increased social media use for wedding planning.

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