Nasdaq is looking for a Business Development and Partnerships Director to lead the creation and execution of a strategic partner program. This role blends enterprise relationship management, structured execution, and strong product thinking to secure and scale lighthouse customers, converting early feedback into repeatable playbooks for the digital assets space.

What You'll Do

Manage and lead execution of multiple major cross-functional digital assets initiatives across Nasdaq.
Lead negotiations with potential external partners and ecosystem participants while engaging with various internal colleagues.
Build a pipeline of customers and partners (issuers, broker-dealers, custodians, fintech platforms, infrastructure providers, blockchain networks) and close agreements.
Define mutual success criteria: use cases, milestones, KPIs, integration scope, security/compliance requirements, and resourcing.
Create a repeatable design partner playbook: intake, discovery, feedback cadence, roadmap mapping, escalation paths, and launch readiness.
Lead structured discovery (workshops, journey mapping, workflow deep dives) and convert insights into PRDs, user stories, and prioritized feature asks.
Run feedback loops: steering calls, usability reviews, sandbox testing, and post-implementation retrospectives.
Establish a mechanism to separate must-have requirements (regulatory/operational) from nice-to-have, and validate what generalizes across customers.
Orchestrate concept-to-production execution with Product, Engineering, Legal/Compliance, Risk, InfoSec, Operations, and GTM.
Own the program management for early deployments: timelines, dependencies, integration readiness, and issue resolution.
Ensure pilots generate reusable artifacts: reference architectures, implementation guides, onboarding checklists, and security/compliance narratives.
Build sales enablement: demo scripts, objection handling, ROI narratives, and customer case studies.
Create and refine the launch plan for GA: rollout phases, partner ecosystem needs, and support model.

What We're Looking For

Must have experience in the digital assets space.
8–12+ years in business development, partnerships, strategy, solutions, or customer success in fintech, capital markets, crypto, payments, or enterprise SaaS.
Demonstrated success securing and expanding strategic design partners or lighthouse customers and converting pilots into scaled programs.
Strong product orientation: ability to write crisp requirements, prioritize tradeoffs, and partner effectively with Engineering.
Comfort with blockchain and market infrastructure concepts (tokenization, custody models, settlement flows, identity/controls).
Excellent cross-functional leadership and executive communication skills.

Nice to Have

Experience operating in regulated environments and navigating security/compliance reviews.
Background in implementation, solutions engineering, or product-led partnerships.
Familiarity with institutional buyer personas and procurement cycles.

Benefits & Compensation

Compensation: $112,000 - $207,000 + equity
401(k) program with 6% employer match
Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount
Student loan repayment program up to $10k
Company paid life and disability plans
Generous paid time off
Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage
Health spending account with employer contribution
Paid flex days to support mental wellbeing
Gym membership discounts
Paid parental leave
Fertility benefits
Paid bereavement leave
Company gift matching program
Employee resource groups
Paid volunteer days
Education Assistance Program
Robust job skills training
Professional development opportunities

Work Mode

This is a hybrid position based in New York. Hybrid home/office schedules are available for most positions.

Nasdaq is an equal opportunity employer. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, color, disability, national origin, ancestry, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.