Director of Business Development

About the Role

Surlamer Investments is looking for a skilled leader to drive business development and sales for their AI-driven fintech startup. This key role involves launching the product in the market, establishing a sales pipeline, and accelerating customer acquisition and partnership growth. As an early team member, the position includes significant equity opportunities tied to performance and tenure.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote the company's product through innovative marketing and sales tactics targeting early adopters.
• Design and implement strategic plans for go-to-market, sales, and business development.
• Build and manage the entire sales funnel, from prospecting and outreach to relationship nurturing and deal closing.
• Identify and negotiate important partnerships in fintech, trading, financial services, market data, investment technology, and related sectors.
• Collaborate with product teams to relay customer feedback, offer market insights, influence product positioning, and assist with development, testing, launch, and enhancements.
• Market and sell the platform to financial institutions, investment firms, trading companies, family offices, and similar clients.
• Work with leadership on product positioning, pricing strategies, market entry, and commercialization efforts.
• Assist fundraising through outreach, presentations, managing investor relationships, and facilitating strategic connections.
• Collect and analyze customer and industry feedback to refine product-market fit.
• Travel as required to support client engagements, partnerships, investor meetings, and industry events.

Candidate Profile

• At least 7 years of experience in business development, enterprise sales, strategic partnerships, capital markets, fintech, or related financial technology sectors.
• Proven track record of independently generating leads, establishing executive relationships, and driving revenue growth in fast-paced, early-stage environments.
• Experience selling fintech solutions, trading platforms, capital markets software, market data, AI applications, SaaS, or associated financial services technology.
• Comprehensive understanding of financial markets, investment processes, trading, portfolio and wealth management workflows.
• Preferably experience selling to RIAs, wealth managers, broker-dealers, institutional investors, family offices, hedge funds, or financial institutions.
• Skilled in managing complex consultative enterprise sales involving various stakeholders and senior decision-makers.
• Experience with launching new products, entering new markets, or establishing commercial functions from scratch.
• Strong knowledge of AI, automation, and emerging fintech technologies.
• Start-up background, including experience with fundraising, commercialization, or strategic partnership development is highly desirable.
• Must be able to work full-time onsite in Newport Beach, CA.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive base salary based on qualifications.
• Discretionary performance bonuses.
• Equity or profit-sharing opportunities.
• Health insurance coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Paid vacation and time off.