Strategic Payments Program Manager

Blend is a premier AI services provider, committed to co-creating meaningful impact for its clients through the power of data science, AI, technology, and people. With a mission to fuel bold visions, Blend tackles significant challenges by seamlessly aligning human expertise with artificial intelligence. The company is dedicated to unlocking value and fostering innovation for its clients by harnessing world-class people and data-driven strategy. We believe that the power of people and AI can have a meaningful impact on your world, creating more fulfilling work and projects for our people and clients. For more information, visit www.blend360.com 

The Details:

• Location: New York City or Remote (US-based, East Coast time zone)
• Up to 15% travel, paid by client
• Duration: Approximately a 12-month consulting project with the possibility of extension
• Benefits: We do offer benefits to our full-time consultants, including Health, Vision, Dental, 401K plan, Life Insurance, Pretax Commuter Benefits, and an incredibly supportive team cheering you on!

Our client is hiring a Strategic Payments Program Manager to guide expansion efforts across the US market. This high-impact position centers on defining and implementing our US FinTech and Payments growth agenda, steering commercial initiatives, and establishing or deepening critical partnerships with major players. The work will directly enhance incremental revenue and contribute to a P&L-positive outcome for the FinTech division.

The preferred candidate will bring 8+ years of experience in Strategy and execution, including 4+ years concentrated in Payments. You will work in close coordination with leadership and various cross-functional teams to scale and refine our payments offerings in ways that create measurable value in the US market.

• Strengthen the US FinTech Strategy: Work jointly to design and implement a comprehensive plan for the US market, targeting market opportunity analysis, cost efficiency, revenue potential, and GTM initiatives.
• Lead Cost Optimization and P&L Results in the US: Drive efforts aimed at producing incremental revenue and achieving cost improvements (e.g., commercial agreements, acceptance strategies, fraud mitigation, and chargeback reduction).
• Realize Value Beyond Payments: Discover and structure opportunities to deliver impact across other departments—via marketing, sponsorships, distribution, and data-driven insights—particularly in collaboration with strategic partners.
• Foster Stakeholder Alignment: Partner with cross-functional groups (Product, Legal, Operations, Treasury, Fraud, FP&A, etc.) to ensure well-coordinated execution and shared priorities.
• Communicate Effectively with Executives: Prepare concise executive summaries, persuasive business cases, and performance insights for the US market. Translate complex payment topics into simple, visually engaging narratives to align leadership around strategic initiatives.

• 8+ years of experience in Strategy, Commercial Partnerships, and Business Development within FinTech or related tech/finance sectors.
• A minimum of 4 years in Payments, with a deep understanding of the end-to-end payment lifecycle (both pay-in and pay-out).
• Experience working in financial services and/or FinTech a must-have.
• MBA or equivalent advanced executive education, and/or prior experience in consulting or strategic roles, is highly valued.
• Demonstrated ability to build and execute strategies tailored to specific markets, including a track record of identifying, prioritizing, and delivering revenue-driving and cost-saving opportunities in the US—ideally within FinTech.
• Knowledge of how to extract value beyond payments through collaboration on initiatives involving Marketing, Distribution, Sponsorships, Personalization, and Data Insights.
• Strong experience working with cross-functional stakeholders and the ability to collaborate across teams like Product, Legal, Treasury, Fraud, and Operations.
• Experience working with an external partner in travel or hospitality, preferred.
• Deep expertise in the US FinTech environment, including industry movements, regulatory context, and consumer dynamics.
• A highly analytical mindset with the skills to assess opportunity, develop business cases, and anticipate potential risks.
• Exceptional communicator who can simplify complex subjects into strategic updates for executive audiences.
• Adept at storytelling and presentation development, with a clear ability to articulate business impact and strategic vision.

This role is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

The starting pay range for this role is $60/hr- $70/hr. Actual compensation within the range will be dependent on several factors including but not limited to relevant experience, skills, certifications, training, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range and determining factors for compensation are considered for each individual circumstance. BLEND360 also offers a competitive benefits program to meet the health and financial well-being of our team and their families. You can look forward to a range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401K, PTO, commuter benefits, spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, and EAPs.   

A diverse workforce is a strong workforce 
To deliver growth at BLEND360 and for our clients, we believe we have a responsibility and unique opportunity to positively impact the workforce. Diversity has played a critical role in our history, our growth, and continues to have a profound impact on our success.  We are determined to have equality in the workplace, within our team and as an extension of our clients’ team.  

This is not the work of the moment, and this requires continued learning and purposeful actions.  We are investing resources to understand and improve the sourcing, selection, and retention of the talent we hire, and ultimately the workforce we provide for our clients. We will communicate our journey in the spirit of transparency and shared learning.