H-1B Visa Strategic Partnerships Manager Jobs
Strategic Partnerships Manager roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field. Employers in tech, healthcare, and finance sponsor these positions regularly. The H-1B cap lottery applies unless your employer is a university or nonprofit research organization.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Upgrade helps customers move in the right direction with affordable and responsible financial products. Since 2017, we've helped over 7.5 million customers access over $42 billion in consumer credit. With a relentless focus on improving our customers' financial well-being, we build products that put more money in their pocket and support their journey toward a better financial future. We're backed by some of the most prominent technology investors and were most recently valued at $7.3B.
We're consistently recognized for our collaborative and inclusive culture. Most recently, we were named one of the World's Top Fintech Companies by CNBC, Best Places to Work by Built In, Best Places to Work by the San Francisco Business Times, America's Greatest Workplaces by Newsweek, Best Startup Employer by Forbes, and Healthiest Employers by Phoenix Business Journal.
We're looking for new team members who get excited about designing and delivering new and better products. Come join us and help build a better financial future for millions of people.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for a strategic, commercially driven leader to join Upgrade as our VP, Strategic Partnerships, playing a pivotal role in expanding our personal lending business through high-impact enterprise partnerships.
In this role, you will lead the development of strategic white-label partnerships with financial institutions, fintechs, and major consumer-facing brands, enabling them to offer personal loans under their own brand, powered by Upgrade's lending platform. You will be responsible for identifying and engaging high-value partners, building relationships with senior decision-makers, and independently structuring and negotiating complex commercial agreements. With a strong understanding of partnership economics and P&L impact, you'll evaluate opportunities that drive meaningful revenue growth and long-term profitability for Upgrade's personal lending business.
Working closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams across Finance, Product, Engineering, Legal, Compliance, and Risk, you'll help shape partnership strategies, navigate technical integrations, and bring new opportunities to market. This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who thrives on building executive relationships, negotiating strategic deals, and turning commercial opportunities into scalable businesses. You'll have significant autonomy to shape a growing partnership channel, with opportunities to collaborate directly with senior leadership and contribute to emerging AI-driven products and initiatives.
This is a remote-flexible position for candidates based in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, or Delaware, and requires occasional travel for partner meetings.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
Sourcing & Pipeline
- Build and manage a pipeline of prospective white-label partners.
- Develop and prioritize a target list based on strategic fit, reach, and revenue potential.
- Represent Upgrade at industry events and in outbound outreach to build a network of decision-makers at prospective partners.
- Source potential partnerships to support Upgrade's emerging AI-driven product initiatives beyond personal loans.
Deal Structuring & Negotiation
- Lead commercial negotiations for partnership agreements, including economics, exclusivity, SLAs, and branding terms.
- Partner with Legal, Finance, and Risk to structure deals that meet Upgrade's compliance and margin requirements.
- Own the business case and internal approval process for each partnership, from term sheet through signed contract.
Onboarding & Launch
- Own the end-to-end onboarding of signed partners — project-managing integration, compliance review, branding/marketing/UX approvals, and go-live.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for partners during implementation, coordinating Engineering, Product, Compliance, and Ops to hit launch dates.
- Build repeatable onboarding playbooks and SLAs to shorten time-to-launch as the partner roster grows.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR:
- 10+ years in strategic partnerships, business development, or a related deal-making role, with a track record of sourcing and closing complex commercial agreements.
- Experience in fintech, consumer lending, or financial services — comfortable with regulatory, compliance, and risk considerations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a deal from first outreach through signed contract and through live launch.
- Strong cross-functional leadership: proven ability to align Legal, Compliance, Risk, Product, and Engineering around a partner launch timeline.
- Excellent negotiation and executive presence; comfortable representing Upgrade large enterprise partner leadership.
NICE TO HAVE:
- Direct experience structuring white-label or embedded finance partnerships (co-branded cards, private-label lending, BaaS-style programs).
- An existing network of relationships at financial services companies or consumer-facing brands that could become Upgrade partners.
- Experience at a high-growth fintech or consumer lending company.
WHAT WE OFFER YOU:
- Competitive salary & stock option plan
- Paid coverage of medical, dental and vision insurance
- Flexible PTO
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Paid parental leave
Health & wellness initiatives
The base salary range for this position is $250k-$275k annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual performance-based bonus as well as equity and other benefits as part of Upgrade's total compensation package.
INTRODUCTION
Upgrade helps customers move in the right direction with affordable and responsible financial products. Since 2017, we've helped over 7.5 million customers access over $42 billion in consumer credit. With a relentless focus on improving our customers' financial well-being, we build products that put more money in their pocket and support their journey toward a better financial future. We're backed by some of the most prominent technology investors and were most recently valued at $7.3B.
We're consistently recognized for our collaborative and inclusive culture. Most recently, we were named one of the World's Top Fintech Companies by CNBC, Best Places to Work by Built In, Best Places to Work by the San Francisco Business Times, America's Greatest Workplaces by Newsweek, Best Startup Employer by Forbes, and Healthiest Employers by Phoenix Business Journal.
We're looking for new team members who get excited about designing and delivering new and better products. Come join us and help build a better financial future for millions of people.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for a strategic, commercially driven leader to join Upgrade as our VP, Strategic Partnerships, playing a pivotal role in expanding our personal lending business through high-impact enterprise partnerships.
In this role, you will lead the development of strategic white-label partnerships with financial institutions, fintechs, and major consumer-facing brands, enabling them to offer personal loans under their own brand, powered by Upgrade's lending platform. You will be responsible for identifying and engaging high-value partners, building relationships with senior decision-makers, and independently structuring and negotiating complex commercial agreements. With a strong understanding of partnership economics and P&L impact, you'll evaluate opportunities that drive meaningful revenue growth and long-term profitability for Upgrade's personal lending business.
Working closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams across Finance, Product, Engineering, Legal, Compliance, and Risk, you'll help shape partnership strategies, navigate technical integrations, and bring new opportunities to market. This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who thrives on building executive relationships, negotiating strategic deals, and turning commercial opportunities into scalable businesses. You'll have significant autonomy to shape a growing partnership channel, with opportunities to collaborate directly with senior leadership and contribute to emerging AI-driven products and initiatives.
This is a remote-flexible position for candidates based in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, or Delaware, and requires occasional travel for partner meetings.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
Sourcing & Pipeline
- Build and manage a pipeline of prospective white-label partners.
- Develop and prioritize a target list based on strategic fit, reach, and revenue potential.
- Represent Upgrade at industry events and in outbound outreach to build a network of decision-makers at prospective partners.
- Source potential partnerships to support Upgrade's emerging AI-driven product initiatives beyond personal loans.
Deal Structuring & Negotiation
- Lead commercial negotiations for partnership agreements, including economics, exclusivity, SLAs, and branding terms.
- Partner with Legal, Finance, and Risk to structure deals that meet Upgrade's compliance and margin requirements.
- Own the business case and internal approval process for each partnership, from term sheet through signed contract.
Onboarding & Launch
- Own the end-to-end onboarding of signed partners — project-managing integration, compliance review, branding/marketing/UX approvals, and go-live.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for partners during implementation, coordinating Engineering, Product, Compliance, and Ops to hit launch dates.
- Build repeatable onboarding playbooks and SLAs to shorten time-to-launch as the partner roster grows.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR:
- 10+ years in strategic partnerships, business development, or a related deal-making role, with a track record of sourcing and closing complex commercial agreements.
- Experience in fintech, consumer lending, or financial services — comfortable with regulatory, compliance, and risk considerations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a deal from first outreach through signed contract and through live launch.
- Strong cross-functional leadership: proven ability to align Legal, Compliance, Risk, Product, and Engineering around a partner launch timeline.
- Excellent negotiation and executive presence; comfortable representing Upgrade large enterprise partner leadership.
NICE TO HAVE:
- Direct experience structuring white-label or embedded finance partnerships (co-branded cards, private-label lending, BaaS-style programs).
- An existing network of relationships at financial services companies or consumer-facing brands that could become Upgrade partners.
- Experience at a high-growth fintech or consumer lending company.
WHAT WE OFFER YOU:
- Competitive salary & stock option plan
- Paid coverage of medical, dental and vision insurance
- Flexible PTO
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Paid parental leave
Health & wellness initiatives
The base salary range for this position is $250k-$275k annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual performance-based bonus as well as equity and other benefits as part of Upgrade's total compensation package.
See all 1,761+ H-1B Visa Strategic Partnerships Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Strategic Partnerships Manager
Verify your role meets specialty occupation standards
Check the O*NET profile for Strategic Partnerships Manager to confirm the degree requirement language. USCIS scrutinizes business development roles, so your offer letter must tie specific partnership duties to a directly related field of study.
Target employers with consistent LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Strategic Partnerships Manager openings by employers who have filed H-1B Labor Condition Applications for this role. Past LCA filings signal an employer already understands the sponsorship process and has HR infrastructure for it.
Negotiate sponsorship terms before accepting an offer
Ask directly whether the employer covers I-129 filing fees and premium processing. Some companies sponsor but shift legal costs to you, which is prohibited for mandatory fees. Clarify this in writing during the offer stage, not after you've resigned.
Benchmark your salary against the prevailing wage level
Run your target metro and job title through the OFLC Wage Search before negotiations. DOL assigns a wage level to your role, and your offer must meet Level I through IV. Accepting below the prevailing wage invalidates the LCA and stalls your petition.
Time your application around the cap registration window
H-1B cap registrations open each March for an October 1 start date. If you're on OPT, calculate whether your EAD expiration aligns. A gap between OPT end and H-1B start requires cap-gap protection, which only applies if you're already in F-1 status when selected.
Request an employer's E-Verify enrollment status early
Employers who sponsor H-1B workers must be E-Verify enrolled for STEM OPT transfers, and enrollment signals compliance readiness. Ask your HR contact or recruiter to confirm E-Verify participation before you invest time in a lengthy interview process.
H-1B Visa Strategic Partnerships Manager: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Strategic Partnerships Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field such as business administration, marketing, or international relations. USCIS reviews the actual job duties, not just the title. Roles that accept any degree regardless of field can face RFEs, so your offer letter should explicitly connect partnership responsibilities to a specific academic discipline.
Which industries are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for Strategic Partnerships Manager positions?
Technology companies, enterprise software firms, healthcare networks, and financial services organizations sponsor these roles most frequently. These sectors rely on partnerships with vendors, platforms, and institutional clients, and they typically have dedicated immigration counsel and established H-1B programs. You can browse currently sponsoring employers by role on Migrate Mate.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new Strategic Partnerships Manager role without losing my place in the queue?
Yes. Under AC21 portability, you can transfer your H-1B to a new employer in the same or a similar occupational classification after your I-140 has been approved and your petition has been pending for 180 days. Strategic Partnerships Manager transfers to adjacent roles like Business Development Manager or Alliances Manager generally qualify, but your new employer must file a transfer petition before you start.
What happens if my employer sponsors my H-1B but later eliminates the partnerships team?
You enter a 60-day grace period from your last day of employment, during which you can find a new sponsoring employer and initiate a transfer petition. If no transfer is filed before the 60 days expire, you fall out of status. Start your job search immediately and prioritize employers who can file quickly, as premium processing can shorten USCIS review to 15 business days.
How do I know if an employer's H-1B sponsorship covers the full cost or just part of it?
USCIS prohibits employers from passing mandatory H-1B fees to the employee, including the base I-129 filing fee and the asylum program fee where applicable. Premium processing and legal fees above the statutory minimum are sometimes split or passed to the employee, depending on company policy. Ask HR for a written breakdown of which costs the company covers during the offer negotiation stage.