Senior Manager, DeFi Partnerships

Interested in working on cutting-edge blockchain technology and creating equitable access to the global financial system? Since 2014, the mission-driven team at the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) has helped fuel the tremendous growth of the Stellar blockchain network, an open-source platform that operates at scale today. Developers and companies around the world build on it, and the SDF team is expanding to support the rapidly growing and changing Stellar DeFi ecosystem.

In this business development role, you will engage with a wide variety of organizations important to growing Stellar’s DeFi ecosystem. As a key member of the DeFi team, you will drive partnerships with wallets, DeFi protocols, yield aggregators, crypto & FinTech apps, as well as DeFi infra and security providers. As these companies become part of the Stellar ecosystem and throughout their journey, you will act as SDF's primary point of contact and enhance our partners’ experience by facilitating introductions with other Stellar ecosystem companies with the goal of accelerating growth in TVL and value on-chain. This role offers an opportunity to have a direct positive impact on SDF’s ambitious goals for DeFi growth.

In this role, you will:

• Source, qualify, and close partnerships with protocols, vault builders, and platforms that add value to the Stellar DeFi ecosystem, with particular focus on engaging with leading providers from the broader DeFi world (i.e. EVM protocols, Solana, etc.) and with an eye for opportunities in priority regions (e.g., LatAm, APAC, Africa, Middle East, EU).

• Drive forward DeFi projects on Stellar and support ecosystem integration and partnership needs, as well as the overall growth strategy for each project.

• Foster strong relationships within Web3 to support the launch and growth of Stellar-based DeFi (i.e. security firms, bridges, exchanges, oracles).

• Work closely with product and engineering to develop new business opportunities.

• Serve as an internal leader to drive initiatives and advocate for ecosystem partners.

• Work with the ecosystem and marketing teams to support the launch and execution of new programs and initiatives for our global partners.

• Develop innovative strategies to support the Stellar ecosystem and their businesses.

• Represent SDF at conferences and events around the world.

You have:

• 5+ years of relevant crypto, web3, and/or DeFi experience with at least 1 year working in (or closely with) the decentralized finance space.

• Existing relationships with curators, protocols, and DeFi builders

• DeFi knowledge: you’re an adaptable self-starter and self-learner in crypto, DeFi, and the Stellar network.

• Significant experience working with internal and external stakeholders to execute projects and/or business negotiations.

• Demonstrated ability to execute complex projects through successful completion.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English.

• Capacity to thrive in a collaborative team environment with multiple stakeholders while having a high degree of accountability and autonomy.

Bonus Points if:

• You have experience in non-EVM DeFi

• You have a background in capital markets, trading, or complex financing

• You are fluent in another language besides English

• You live within 30 miles of our NYC Union Square office

We offer competitive pay with a base salary range for this position of $145,000 - $205,000, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, we offer lumen-denominated grants paid monthly, along with the following perks and benefits:

USA Benefits/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 the office

• Company retreats

About Stellar