Emerging Markets Lead – CIS (Russian speaking)

Column is seeking an Emerging Markets Lead – CIS (Russian speaking) to spearhead strategic international expansion initiatives. This role is based in Dubai and focuses on driving 0-to-1 growth for a new banking product by building and nurturing relationships with prospective partners and customers in select markets, with a specific focus on CIS and Eastern Europe. Join the founding team for a new business line with significant autonomy and direct impact on Column’s global expansion strategy.

Column is a bank and a software company built from the ground up, offering technology-forward banking solutions that simplify the banking supply chain. We aim to provide a safer, more transparent, and less costly banking experience for builders and developers.

Looking for a general business athlete who thrives on networking and executing complex partnerships. Apply now to be part of this exciting opportunity!

Company Overview

Column is a nationally chartered bank built to enable developers and builders to create new financial products. We are a bank and a software company offering technology-forward banking solutions, simplifying the banking supply chain by cutting out hundreds of vendors, middleware providers, and abstraction layers. Our mission is to create a safer, more transparent, and less costly banking supply chain.

Quick Details

• Job Type: Full-time
• Experience: Mid-Senior level
• Qualifications: Not Specified

Key Responsibilities

• Lead regional market development: Own the end-to-end process of identifying, evaluating, and executing on high-value partnerships with banks across international markets.
• Build and maintain key relationships: Serve as the primary relationship owner for prospective and existing customers, conducting regular in-person meetings and managing ongoing partnership development.
• Own partnership execution: Lead complex deal processes from initial outreach through contract signature, working collaboratively with Legal, Compliance, and Product teams.
• Develop market intelligence: Gather and synthesize insights on local market conditions, regulatory developments, competitive landscape, and customer needs.
• Market expertise and network: Become an expert on the correspondent banking space in key emerging markets and build an extensive network within their banking and fintech ecosystems.
• Drive operational excellence: Build scalable processes for onboarding, relationship management, and ongoing support.

Requirements

• 6+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, growth, operations or strategy in a high-caliber environment.
• 4+ years of business experience specifically in CIS and Eastern European markets.
• Native fluency in Russian and experience managing business relationships with Russian-speaking clients and stakeholders.
• Track record of successfully managing complex partnerships and high-value deals with executive stakeholders.
• Natural networker who thrives on building trust and long-term relationships with senior executives, market experts and decision-makers.
• Strong strategic thinking and hyper-organized approach to project management.
• Scrappy, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude with zero ego when it comes to getting hands dirty to build a business.

Benefits

• Opportunity to be on the founding team for a new business line.
• Significant autonomy and direct impact on Column’s global expansion strategy.
• Work with a diverse team with different perspectives, educational backgrounds, and life experiences.
• Regular travel throughout the region and occasional travel to Column’s headquarters in San Francisco.