Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships in Toronto

Our client is an established Canadian technology and business services company with over 25 years of experience helping major organizations securely manage payments, data exchange, fraud prevention and business process automation.

Position Scope

The Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships is responsible for identifying, structuring, and managing strategic relationships that accelerate innovation, expand the organization’s market reach, and support Horizon 2 & 3 initiatives.

This role is focused on building a high-impact partner ecosystem that complements the organization’s capabilities, unlocks new business models, and delivers measurable business outcomes.

This is a highly strategic and externally focused role, leading partnership initiatives end-to-end from opportunity identification through to negotiation, execution, and ongoing relationship management.

This is a hybrid role with flexible onsite expectations, typically 2 days per week.

Accountabilities

• Developing and executing a comprehensive partnership strategy aligned to the organization’s business priorities across current products and future growth areas.
• Building and maintaining a strong pipeline of high-value external partnerships that drive innovation and revenue opportunities.
• Leading end-to-end partnership lifecycle activities including sourcing, structuring, negotiating, and closing strategic agreements.
• Engaging and influencing external partners to drive shared outcomes and long-term value creation.
• Designing and implementing partnership frameworks, governance models, and processes to enable scalable and repeatable success.
• Driving cross-functional alignment with internal stakeholders across product, legal, risk, and delivery teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Strengthening the organization’s position within the broader financial services and fintech ecosystem.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Strategy, Finance, or a related field is preferred.
• MBA or equivalent is an asset, particularly with a focus on strategy, innovation, or business development
• 8-10 years in strategic partnerships, corporate development, or business strategy.
• Progressive experience in strategic partnerships, corporate development, or business strategy, ideally within financial services or a highly regulated environment.
• Demonstrated success in leading complex partnership negotiations and successfully closing commercial agreements.
• Experience working with or within Tier 1 and/or fintech ecosystems, including engaging with both established institutions and emerging partners.
• Experience building or scaling partnership programs, including establishing operating models, governance, and performance frameworks.
• Background operating at a senior leadership level (Director or Senior Director equivalent) with accountability for external relationships and business outcomes.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Strategic & Commercial Acumen

• Strong understanding of business models, market dynamics, and strategic growth levers.
• Ability to assess partnership opportunities for strategic fit, financial impact, and long-term value.

Partnership Development & Deal Execution

• Expertise in identifying, negotiating, and managing strategic relationships across diverse ecosystems.
• Skilled in building governance models, joint planning frameworks, and performance metrics.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Ability to influence and align internal stakeholders across product, legal, finance, and delivery teams.
• Strong facilitation and collaboration skills to drive execution across departments.

Communication & Relationship Building

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including executive-level presentations and external representation.
• Skilled in building trust-based relationships with partners, vendors, and industry leaders.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies, innovation ecosystems, and Horizon 3 thinking.
• Ability to support transformational initiatives through external collaboration.

AI Disclosure

AI will not be used in the recruitment process.

Vacancy Disclosure

This is a new position.

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm.

We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.

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