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Column is a developer-first bank and financial infrastructure platform founded in 2019 and headquartered in San Francisco. The company simplifies banking for fintech builders by offering technology-forward banking solutions that eliminate the complexity of traditional banking supply chains.
As Emerging Markets Lead for MENA, you will spearhead Column's strategic international expansion into the Middle East and North Africa region. This is a 0-to-1 growth opportunity where you will own the end-to-end process of identifying, evaluating, and executing high-value partnerships with banks across select MENA markets. You will serve as the primary relationship owner for prospective and existing customers, conducting in-person meetings, attending local industry events, and managing ongoing partnership development.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading regional market development and owning the complete partnership lifecycle from initial outreach through contract signature
- Building and maintaining strategic relationships with senior banking and fintech executives across the region
- Collaborating with Column's Legal, Compliance, and Product teams on complex deal execution
- Developing market intelligence on local conditions, regulatory developments, competitive landscape, and customer needs
- Becoming an expert on correspondent banking in key emerging markets and building an extensive regional network
- Building scalable processes for onboarding, relationship management, and ongoing support
This role is based in Dubai with regular travel throughout the MENA region and occasional travel to San Francisco headquarters. You will have significant autonomy and direct impact on Column's global expansion strategy as part of the founding team for this new business line.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 6+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, growth, operations, or strategy in a high-caliber environment
- 4+ years of business experience specifically in MENA
- Native fluency in Arabic with experience managing business relationships with Arabic-speaking clients and stakeholders
- Proven track record of successfully managing complex partnerships and high-value deals with executive stakeholders
- Strong networking ability and talent for building trust and long-term relationships with senior executives and decision-makers
- Strategic thinking capability to assess market opportunities, evaluate potential partners, and provide recommendations to senior leadership
- Excellent project management and organizational skills with ability to coordinate across multiple teams and manage competing priorities
- Scrappy, hands-on attitude with willingness to roll up sleeves and execute on all aspects of business building
About Column
Fintech — developer-first bank and financial infrastructure platform.
