Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when tied to a directly related degree in business, international relations, or a related field. Employers file a Labor Condition Application before sponsoring, and most large technology, consulting, and enterprise software firms have active filing histories for this level.
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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 63+ Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Jobs
Align your degree to the role
VP of Strategic Partnerships requires a bachelor's degree in business administration, international relations, or a closely related field to meet the H-1B specialty occupation standard. A general degree in an unrelated discipline can trigger a Request for Evidence from USCIS.
Research prevailing wages before negotiating
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your location and role. Run the OFLC Wage Search using the correct business development or partnerships occupation category before you enter salary discussions.
Target companies with LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to identify employers who have already filed LCAs for strategic partnerships or business development roles at the VP level, so you're approaching companies with demonstrated sponsorship infrastructure rather than asking them to build it from scratch.
Expect PERM if pursuing permanent residence
VP-level roles often include green card sponsorship, but EB-2 and EB-3 paths require PERM labor certification from DOL. PERM timelines currently run 12 to 18 months or more, so raise this with your employer during offer negotiations, not after you've started.
Account for the H-1B lottery in your timeline
If you're not already in H-1B status, your employer must register you in the annual cap selection. The H-1B rules have changed recently, so confirm the current process with USCIS directly. Build at least 12 months of lead time into any career transition that depends on cap selection.
Document partnership revenue impact for RFE responses
USCIS sometimes questions whether a VP of Strategic Partnerships role truly requires a specific degree rather than general business acumen. Prepare quantified examples of strategic outcomes you've driven that required specialized academic training in finance, economics, or international business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a VP of Strategic Partnerships role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It qualifies when the employer can demonstrate the position normally requires a bachelor's degree in a specific, directly related field such as business administration, finance, or international relations. If the job description accepts any degree or emphasizes general management experience over specialized knowledge, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence. Employers strengthen the petition by tying partnership responsibilities to specific academic disciplines in the job requirements.
Which visa types realistically cover a VP of Strategic Partnerships role?
H-1B is the most common path for employer-sponsored VP roles. Australian nationals can use the E-3 visa, which carries a 10,500 annual cap that has never been exhausted and requires no lottery. Chilean and Singaporean nationals may qualify for the H-1B1 visa. TN visa is limited to specific USMCA-listed professions and does not cover VP of Strategic Partnerships. Each option requires the employer to file a certified LCA with DOL first.
How long does H-1B sponsorship take for a VP-level hire?
Standard H-1B processing at USCIS currently runs several months after the cap registration and selection period. If you're not already in H-1B status, factor in the annual registration window and selection outcome before your target start date. Employers can pay for premium processing to get a decision within a few business days once the petition is filed, but the registration and lottery step cannot be expedited.
Where can I find employers who actively sponsor VP of Strategic Partnerships roles?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA sponsorship history for strategic partnerships and business development roles at the VP level, so you can focus your search on companies that have already navigated the filing process for this type of position.
Will my employer need to run PERM for a VP of Strategic Partnerships green card?
Most EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based green card paths require PERM labor certification from DOL, which involves advertising the role to U.S. workers before sponsoring an international candidate for permanent residence. PERM timelines are currently lengthy, often exceeding a year. Some VP candidates with exceptional ability may qualify for EB-1 or an EB-2 National Interest Waiver, which bypass PERM entirely, though these are harder to meet at this role type.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Vice President of Strategic Partnerships jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.