Branch Overview 

Branch delivers world-class financial services to the mobile generation. With offices in the United States, Nigeria, Kenya, and India, Branch is a for-profit, socially conscious company that uses the power of data science to reduce the cost of delivering financial services in emerging markets. We believe that everyone everywhere deserves fair financial access. The rapid spread of smartphones presents an opportunity for the world’s emerging middle class to access banking options and achieve financial flexibility. 

Branch’s mission-driven team is led by the founder and former CEO of Kiva.org. The company presents a rich opportunity for our team members to drive meaningful growth in rapidly evolving and changing markets. In 2019, Branch announced its Series C and has garnered more than $100M in funding with investments from leading Silicon Valley firms, including Andreessen Horowitz, Trinity Capital, Foundation Capital, Visa, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive working environment where human beings of all backgrounds can thrive. 

Job Overview.

The Head of Business Development leads the growth strategy of the neo-bank as it transitions from a digital lender into a full-service financial institution. The role oversees the expansion of revenue lines across telesales, SME banking, personal lending, trade finance, and strategic partnerships. 

This leader drives customer acquisition, product penetration, partner ecosystem development, and overall commercial performance while balancing fintech innovation with the operational rigour of traditional banking products

Key Responsibilities.

1. Commercial Strategy, Revenue Growth & P&L Ownership:

• Own and drive commercial performance across digital lending, SME banking, personal loans, and emerging trade finance products, with clear accountability for revenue, portfolio growth and unit economics.
• Translate strategy into execution by shaping go-to-market plans, product positioning, pricing, and sales targets, in partnership with Product, Marketing, Credit and Operations.
• Lead telesales and field sales teams to improve customer acquisition, conversion, retention, and portfolio quality, with disciplined performance management and clear OKRs.
• Design and continuously refine sales processes, funnels and pipelines, ensuring high-quality leads, efficient conversion and scalable growth.
• Track and report on core commercial metrics such as sales performance, CAC (Cost of Acquisition), yields, portfolio performance and customer outcomes, providing clear insights and recommendations to senior leadership.

2. Partnerships, Ecosystem Development and Product Support:

• Build and manage strategic partnerships with fintechs, SMEs, employers and ecosystem players to unlock distribution, funding and product opportunities.
• Lead commercial negotiations and structuring of partnerships, balancing growth, profitability, risk and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with Product teams to commercialise new offerings, ensuring market fit, pricing discipline, sales readiness and effective rollout.
• Develop and mentor high-performing Sales, Partnerships, SME and Business Development teams, fostering a culture of accountability, execution excellence and customer-centric.

• Ensure all commercial activities are fully aligned with banking regulations, internal policies, and risk appetite, working closely with other departments such as Credit, Risk, Compliance, Legal and Operations.
• Promote responsible selling practices, strong customer outcomes and sustainable portfolio growth.
• Actively identify and mitigate commercial and operational risks arising from growth initiatives.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in commercial roles within fintech, banking, or financial services, ideally with exposure to multi-product portfolios such as lending, SME banking, trade finance, or retail banking.
• Strong understanding of digital financial products, banking practices, credit and regulated financial services.
• Demonstrated experience managing or influencing a sales function P&L, including pricing, margins, CAC (Cost of Acquisition) and portfolio performance.
• Proven track record of leading and scaling sales and business development teams in a high-growth environment.
• Highly data-driven, commercially sharp and execution focused.

Core Attributes and Competencies

• Strategic and Commercial Leadership: Helps shape long-term commercial direction, keeps an eye on market shifts, and supports growth priorities as the business evolves from a digital lender into a broader neo-bank.
• Market Insight and Financial Acumen: Understands lending dynamics, SME needs, customer behaviour, and unit economics, using data and financial indicators to guide sustainable growth.
• Growth and Ecosystem Development: Supports acquisition, cross-sell, and product uptake across different portfolios. Builds partnerships with fintechs, telcos, aggregators, SMEs, and merchants to widen reach and unlock new opportunities.
• Customer-Focused and Data-Led Decisions: Keeps customer experience at the centre while using insights and analytics to refine strategies, improve processes, and strengthen performance.
• Operational Discipline and Risk Awareness: Helps build efficient, scalable, and compliant commercial operations, balancing growth with responsible lending and regulatory expectations.
• Leadership and Team Development: Leads teams with clarity and support, develops talent, and works collaboratively across functions to deliver results.

Why Join Us

• Purpose with impact: Be part of a mission-driven organization that’s redefining access to finance across Africa: fast-paced, data-led, and entrepreneurial in spirit
• Leadership that empowers: You’ll have the autonomy to shape strategy, influence outcomes, and drive meaningful growth.
• Reward for performance: We offer a competitive compensation package, including salary and equity, reflecting the value of your contribution.
• Collaborative culture: Work within a flat, inclusive environment that values ideas, transparency, and cross-functional teamwork.
• How we work: Our hybrid model supports focused, deep work time, while enabling in-person collaboration for innovation and alignment.
• Comprehensive wellbeing: Fully paid health insurance and a company-matched pension plan to give you peace of mind.
• Balance that’s real: 28 days of annual leave, 30 days of sick leave, and bereavement leave, because rest and recovery drive results.
• Family-first policies: Enjoy fully paid parental leave, 6 months maternity and 3 months paternity, to support what matters most.
• Continuous growth: Annual professional development budget to invest in your skills, knowledge, and leadership journey.
• Work your best: Monthly work-from-home stipend to help you stay productive and comfortable wherever you work.
• Connection beyond work: Team meals, virtual social events, and in-person meetups to strengthen bonds and celebrate achievements.
• Global exposure: Opportunities to collaborate with and travel to our offices around the world, supported by global travel medical insurance

Why This Role Matters

Branch is moving into a new stage of growth. What began as a digital lending business is evolving into a broader neo-bank with more products, a growing customer base, and new market opportunities. To support this momentum, we’re looking for a commercial leader who can guide multi-product growth with clarity and discipline.

The Head of Business Development will help drive our commercial efforts across telesales, partnerships, SME banking, personal lending, and trade finance, bringing these areas together to strengthen revenue and market reach.

This role will play an important part in shaping Branch’s next chapter and supporting our long-term commercial direction.

We’re looking for more than just qualifications -  if you’re unsure that you meet the criteria but identify with our vision of providing equal opportunity to everyone to access financial services, please do not hesitate to apply!

Branch International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The company does not and will not discriminate in employment on any basis prohibited by applicable law.