Head of Business Development

Avant is seeking a strategic and driven Head of Business Development to lead our efforts in unlocking new originations growth through partnerships. This senior leader will be responsible for building and executing a business development strategy across all of our products to support our growth targets.  The position will be heavily focused on working with external strategic partners and collaborating with internal stakeholders to cultivate, maintain and grow our business and existing partner relationships.  This is a unique opportunity to shape a critical new growth channel at Avant, working cross-functionally with Product, Credit, Operations, Legal, and our Executive team.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and Own the Partnership Strategy: Define the partnership categories that align with Avant’s credit card and loan business strategies, including direct and channel partnerships and spanning various integration types.

• Build and Execute Pipeline: Identify and prioritize top targets, drive outreach, relationship management, and deal structuring.

• Drive Deal Execution: Lead negotiations, diligence, and contract execution. Manage term sheets, coordinate internal stakeholders, and ensure legal and technical alignment for each deal.

• Validate and Iterate on Strategy: Test economic assumptions and unit economics for each deal type. Partner with Finance, Credit, and Analytics to pressure-test and refine models.

• Guide Technical Readiness: Partner with Product and Engineering to define requirements for integration and servicing infrastructure needed to support each partnership type.

• Align Executives and Teams: Facilitate executive alignment on target partners, go-to-market sequencing, and technical investment strategy. Provide regular updates to leadership on BD progress and impact.

• Hire and Build the BD Function: As the function matures, help shape and grow the team needed to scale our partnership strategy into 2026 and beyond.
   

What We’re Looking For

• 8–12+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, fintech strategy, or B2B sales—preferably in credit cards, personal lending, or embedded finance.

• Deep understanding of the fintech ecosystem and consumer credit products, including second-look lending and co-brand partnership structures.

• Proven ability to source, negotiate, and close complex commercial deals.

• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to drive strategy while executing tactically.

• Strong cross-functional collaborator with experience influencing senior stakeholders across product, tech, credit, and legal.

• Passion for innovation, financial inclusion, and building from zero to one.

This role is based on our downtown Chicago Office, located in the Merchandise Mart. We highly value collaboration and our hybrid schedule (M, T, Th in-office) enables flexibility to balance work and individual priorities.

Compensation Range:

The base salary range for this job is USD $195,000 - USD $245,000 / Year

Employees new to Avant typically come in below the midpoint of the pay range. The compensation range is based on the level outlined in the job posting, and compensation decisions are dependent on each applicant's experience, skills and abilities. 

[If an outstanding applicant's experience and skill level is above or below the qualifications outlined in the job posting, we reserve the right to make an offer at a different level than the one listed in this job posting, which may have a different compensation range.]

This role is eligible for additional incentives, including an annual bonus. These rewards are allocated based on level, impact and performance in the role.

Our benefits include:

• Choice of great Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plan options

• 401(k) match

• Flexible Time Off

• Flexible Work Environment - (i.e. Mon/Tues/Thurs in-person)

• Generous Paid Parental Leave, Adoption Assistance and Post-parental leave ramp-up program 

• Lunch Allowance (Fooda) and In-office Snacks

• Summer Fridays 

• Fun In-Office and Virtual Social Events

• And who doesn’t love the swag

Check out our Avant Blog!

We believe that a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences helps us create the most innovative solutions for our customers. We invite you to apply to our positions even if you do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed in the description. If you’re passionate about our mission and aligned to our values, we hope you’ll come contribute to our awesome culture.

Why Avant is the place for you:

At Avant, we believe our values make a difference:

Authenticity. We show up to work as our whole selves and make sure others can too.

Collaboration. We can only succeed when we do so as a team.

Problem-Solving. The harder the problem, the more satisfying the solution.

Customer. We are all owners of the customer experience.

Initiative. Plan. Adapt. Get Sh!t Done.

We believe that great ideas come from anyone and anywhere, that everyone is an owner who drives change, and that we have more fun when we work together. We're problem solvers who love collaborating with intelligent and highly-motivated people to reshape the face of digital banking. Avant offers terrific perks and benefits, fun social events with employees who actually like hanging out together, and a flexible growth environment where trying your hand at new projects and being the active owner of your career path is encouraged and supported.