Business Development Specialist Jobs in California
Business Development Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, life sciences, financial services, and enterprise software, with openings at every level from entry-level account associates through senior strategic partnership roles. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, anchored by employers like Salesforce, Kaiser Permanente, and Qualcomm, which maintain substantial and ongoing business development functions across the state. The most in-demand specialties are SaaS sales development, healthcare partnerships, and enterprise account growth. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 256+ Business Development Specialist jobs
FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS
Payments Sector
Business Development Specialist
Location: San Francisco, CA
About Ft Partners
FT Partners is the only investment bank focused exclusively on the financial technology sector. We deliver world-class strategic and financial advisory services to the most innovative companies shaping the future of finance — with particular depth in Payments, the foundational layer of the global financial system.
Role Overview
As a Payments-focused Business Development Specialist, you will drive the firm's origination efforts across the payments ecosystem — spanning card networks, merchant acquiring, payment facilitators, B2B payments, real-time payments infrastructure, cross-border remittance, and embedded finance. You will identify strategic opportunities, lead deep sector research, develop client-facing materials, and build relationships with the leading payments companies globally.
Key Responsibilities
- Track industry trends, M&A activity, and emerging technologies across the payments value chain — including card-not-present, account-to-account (A2A), BNPL, open banking, and ISO 20022 modernization
- Leverage in-depth research and analysis of the payments sector to drive deal sourcing and pipeline development
- Lead analysts in developing client targeting strategies, analyzing prospective companies, and advancing the BD pipeline
- Work directly with leadership of leading payments companies to enhance the firm's diligence and assessment of each opportunity
- Collaborate with senior bankers across the firm to develop presentations and other materials to win new mandates
- Manage the maintenance and enhancement of internal databases for market intelligence, transaction activity, and target clients across merchant services, payment processors, issuer processors, and adjacent verticals
Required Qualifications
- 3–5 years of experience in investment banking, consulting, venture capital, corporate strategy, or a related field
- Strong knowledge of the payments ecosystem — including acquirers, issuers, networks, processors, payment facilitators, and next-generation rails
- Deep understanding of fintech market dynamics, including regulatory trends (Reg E, PSD2, FedNow, RTP) and competitive dynamics
- Superior research, writing, and presentation skills
- Bachelor's degree from a top-tier institution; advanced degree or MBA is a plus
Compensation
- Base Salary: $130,000 – $150,000
- Bonus potential and comprehensive benefits package
SELECTED PAYMENTS TRANSACTIONS
FT Partners Has Advised On Landmark Payments Transactions Including
- Intermex's $500 million Sale to Western Union
- SpotOn's $300 million Series F Financing at a $3.6 billion Valuation
- CloudWalk's $150 million Financing at a ~ $2.2 billion Valuation
- Divvy's $2.5 billion Sale to Bill.com
- AvidXchange's $2.2 billion Sale to TPG & Corpay
- Finicity's $1 billion Sale to Mastercard
- Bilt's $250 million Financing at a $10.75 billion Valuation
- Revolut's $1.3 billion Financing at a $33 billion Valuation
- Truebill's $1.3 billion Sale to Rocket Companies
- GreenSky's $2.2 billion Sale to Goldman Sachs
- Lumin Digital's $200 million Growth Financing
- Stash's $146 million Series H Financing
If you are passionate about the future of payments and bring a strong command of the sector's evolving landscape, we invite you to join FT Partners' mission to power the next generation of financial services.
Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment:
Financial Technology Partners is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, Aboriginal/Native American status, or any other legally protected factors.
FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS
Payments Sector
Business Development Specialist
Location: San Francisco, CA
About Ft Partners
FT Partners is the only investment bank focused exclusively on the financial technology sector. We deliver world-class strategic and financial advisory services to the most innovative companies shaping the future of finance — with particular depth in Payments, the foundational layer of the global financial system.
Role Overview
As a Payments-focused Business Development Specialist, you will drive the firm's origination efforts across the payments ecosystem — spanning card networks, merchant acquiring, payment facilitators, B2B payments, real-time payments infrastructure, cross-border remittance, and embedded finance. You will identify strategic opportunities, lead deep sector research, develop client-facing materials, and build relationships with the leading payments companies globally.
Key Responsibilities
- Track industry trends, M&A activity, and emerging technologies across the payments value chain — including card-not-present, account-to-account (A2A), BNPL, open banking, and ISO 20022 modernization
- Leverage in-depth research and analysis of the payments sector to drive deal sourcing and pipeline development
- Lead analysts in developing client targeting strategies, analyzing prospective companies, and advancing the BD pipeline
- Work directly with leadership of leading payments companies to enhance the firm's diligence and assessment of each opportunity
- Collaborate with senior bankers across the firm to develop presentations and other materials to win new mandates
- Manage the maintenance and enhancement of internal databases for market intelligence, transaction activity, and target clients across merchant services, payment processors, issuer processors, and adjacent verticals
Required Qualifications
- 3–5 years of experience in investment banking, consulting, venture capital, corporate strategy, or a related field
- Strong knowledge of the payments ecosystem — including acquirers, issuers, networks, processors, payment facilitators, and next-generation rails
- Deep understanding of fintech market dynamics, including regulatory trends (Reg E, PSD2, FedNow, RTP) and competitive dynamics
- Superior research, writing, and presentation skills
- Bachelor's degree from a top-tier institution; advanced degree or MBA is a plus
Compensation
- Base Salary: $130,000 – $150,000
- Bonus potential and comprehensive benefits package
SELECTED PAYMENTS TRANSACTIONS
FT Partners Has Advised On Landmark Payments Transactions Including
- Intermex's $500 million Sale to Western Union
- SpotOn's $300 million Series F Financing at a $3.6 billion Valuation
- CloudWalk's $150 million Financing at a ~ $2.2 billion Valuation
- Divvy's $2.5 billion Sale to Bill.com
- AvidXchange's $2.2 billion Sale to TPG & Corpay
- Finicity's $1 billion Sale to Mastercard
- Bilt's $250 million Financing at a $10.75 billion Valuation
- Revolut's $1.3 billion Financing at a $33 billion Valuation
- Truebill's $1.3 billion Sale to Rocket Companies
- GreenSky's $2.2 billion Sale to Goldman Sachs
- Lumin Digital's $200 million Growth Financing
- Stash's $146 million Series H Financing
If you are passionate about the future of payments and bring a strong command of the sector's evolving landscape, we invite you to join FT Partners' mission to power the next generation of financial services.
Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment:
Financial Technology Partners is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, Aboriginal/Native American status, or any other legally protected factors.
See All 256+ Business Development Specialist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBusiness Development Specialist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Business Development Specialist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- USI Insurance Services22
- BD11
- State Farm7
- Purpose Financial6
- AltaMed Health Services5
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software44
- Insurance43
- Banking & Financial Services18
- Consulting & Professional Services17
- Education15
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in business development specialist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field required
- Two or more years of B2B sales or account development experience in California markets
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage a California regional pipeline from prospecting to close
- Proficiency with CRM platforms such as Salesforce or HubSpot to manage leads and report metrics
- Strong presentation and negotiation skills for enterprise and mid-market client engagements
- Familiarity with California's technology, life sciences, or financial services industry landscape
Business Development Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a business development specialist in California?
A bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, communications, or a related field is the standard entry point for business development specialist roles in California. No state-issued license is required for most positions. California employers, particularly in technology and life sciences, value candidates who pair that foundation with demonstrated CRM proficiency, a portfolio of measurable pipeline results, and familiarity with the specific vertical they hire for, whether SaaS, biotech, or financial services.
How much do business development specialists make in California?
Business development specialists in California earn a median of about $94,700 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $48,440 for the lowest 10% to over $181,600 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire business development specialists in California?
Employers hiring business development specialists in California right now include USI Insurance Services, BD, and State Farm, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, health systems, and enterprise software companies means demand is spread across both established multinationals and fast-growing regional firms.
Which California cities have the most business development specialist jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Irvine account for the most business development specialist openings in California. San Francisco leads because of the density of enterprise technology and SaaS headquarters there, Los Angeles draws volume from its mix of entertainment, media, and healthcare organizations, and San Diego reflects strong demand from its life sciences and defense contractor clusters.
Are there remote business development specialist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 21% of business development specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how much of the role revolves around calls, video demos, and digital outreach rather than in-person presence. Roles focused on outbound prospecting and inside sales tend to be the most consistently remote, while senior partnership and enterprise roles more often require periodic on-site time with clients or leadership.
How can I get hired as a business development specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a sales development representative or business development representative role, which California technology and SaaS companies hire for in volume and treat as a formal pipeline into senior business development positions. Employers like Salesforce and Oracle run structured new-graduate programs that train candidates on enterprise sales methodology before promoting into specialist tracks. A Salesforce Administrator credential or HubSpot certification gives candidates a concrete edge, and lateral moves from customer success or account coordination roles at California-based firms are a well-established route in.
Where can I find and apply to business development specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to business development specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 256+ Business Development Specialist Jobs in California
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