Head of Payments – Business Development

Stellar Development Foundation

Head of Payments at Stellar Development Foundation driving growth in the blockchain payment ecosystem. Managing business development team and strategic partnerships to enhance payment volume.

Posted 6/29/2026full-timeSan Francisco • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $255,000 - $385,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Managing the team responsible for driving Monthly Active Account volume on Stellar. This includes strategizing around: (1) payouts and commerce, (2) ramps and wallet growth for the Stellar ecosystem, and (3) vertical specific strategies on Aid. This will also include a thorough analysis of the merchant payment ecosystem at a global scale and establishing a commercial engagement strategy to drive these onboarded to the Stellar network.
Developing a priority target list and ensuring execution against primary targets.
Managing key strategic relationships with global payment service provider.
Business development work related to our core priorities on expanding DeFi, increasing monthly addresses, and driving asset tokenization, in coordination with Leads of each partnership vertical to drive relevant outcomes. These include surfacing opportunities based on Stellar’s needs, as well as helping to close deals brought by other members of BD and SDF.
Assist on regulatory and government relations needs in-region, helping support the Legal, Policy and Government Relations teams.
Assist the Ecosystem team to identify, plan, and run events in-region.

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of relevant experience with a proven track record of success in business development, with significant experience in payment processing, fintech, or blockchain/crypto-related roles.
Crypto Knowledge: Strong understanding of crypto payment systems, including experience working with cryptocurrency exchanges, blockchain technology, and digital asset payments.
Deep understanding of merchant payment systems and the ability for blockchain to enhance these, with a focus on understanding of global and local payments across different regions
Sales/Commercial Leadership: Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams to meet and exceed targets.
Strategic Thinker: Experience in developing and executing go-to-market strategies, identifying new business opportunities, and managing complex sales cycles.
Industry Expertise: Experience working with financial institutions, crypto companies, payment providers, or fintech startups.
Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a network of senior-level professionals, as well as sound judgment, poise in professional settings, and self-awareness.
Self starter with an entrepreneurial drive.
Communication & Negotiation Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and negotiate high-stakes deals.
The ability to travel as needed, with frequent representation of Stellar at regional/global meetings and conferences.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive health, dental & vision coverage with most plans covered at 100% for the employee + any dependents
Flexible time off + 15 company holidays including a company-wide holiday break
Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for both non-birthing and birthing parents, as well as up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy leave for birthing parents
Gym reimbursement ($80 per month)
Life & ADD (up to $50K)
Short & Long term disability
401K with 4% match
Health & Dependent Care FSA Accounts
Commuter benefits with $250/month employer contribution
Health Savings Account (HSA) with monthly employer contribution
Family building benefits through Kindbody
Wellbeing benefits (One Medical, Rightway, Headspace)
L&D budget of $1,500/year
Daily lunch and snacks in office
Company retreats

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Hard Skills & Tools

Payment ProcessingBlockchain TechnologyDigital Asset PaymentsGo-To-Market StrategiesComplex Sales CyclesMarket AnalysisAsset TokenizationRegulatory ComplianceEvent PlanningNegotiation

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsSelf-StarterEntrepreneurial DriveSound Judgment