Head of Strategy (FinTech Startup)

ABOUT NEXTSTEP

NextStep is an AI-powered career platform designed to support top consulting talent through career transitions. Our platform uses smart matching technology to pair consultants with high-potential opportunities, helping companies access world-class talent.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our client is a well-funded FinTech startup based in San Francisco, operating in the payments infrastructure space. They have reached a level of scale where anecdotal decision-making no longer works, and they are building the strategic function from the ground up. The leadership team is experienced, the product has proven traction, and the next phase of growth, both organic and through potential M&A, will be shaped by whoever takes this role.

THE ROLE

As Head of Strategy, you will be the primary architect of how the company thinks about its future. You will work directly with the CEO to define the strategic roadmap, evaluate market opportunities, and drive the internal processes that turn high-level direction into executable plans. This is not an advisory role. You will own the output, lead the analysis, and be expected to make calls.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Define and maintain the company's strategic roadmap, ensuring it is grounded in market reality, competitive dynamics, and internal capabilities.

• Lead strategic planning cycles, including annual planning, board narrative development, and long-range forecasting.

• Evaluate organic growth opportunities and potential partnerships or acquisitions, including business case development and executive-level recommendations.

• Translate strategy into cross-functional priorities, working with Product, Finance, and Commercial leadership to ensure alignment.

• Build and manage a lean strategy team; set standards for analytical rigor and output quality across the function.

• Serve as a key thought partner to the CEO and senior leadership on market positioning, pricing strategy, and competitive response.

• Own special projects and CEO-level initiatives that do not fit neatly into existing functions.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 8+ years of experience in strategy, with a meaningful portion in management consulting at a top-tier or specialist firm.

• Demonstrated ability to move from complex, ambiguous problems to structured, executive-ready recommendations.

• Experience in or strong exposure to FinTech, payments, or financial services, either from a client or operator perspective.

• Strong financial modeling skills and comfort with data-heavy environments.

• Excellent communicator and storyteller, able to hold a room with a CEO as comfortably as with a board.

• Track record of building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and influencing without authority.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment where structure is built, not inherited.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Base salary of $220,000 - $265,000, determined based on experience and scope.

• Meaningful equity stake commensurate with the role's seniority and strategic importance.

• Additional benefits, including health, dental, 401(k), and PTO, are detailed as part of the full offer package.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this role, please create your profile at nextstep.com https://getnextstep.com/candidate/landing?utm_medium=job-board&utm_source=job-board. Once your profile is complete, our matching system will evaluate your background against the criteria for this role. If your profile is a strong fit, you will be surfaced to the hiring team directly. No cover letter required.

This role is listed by NextStep on behalf of our client. All applications are handled with confidentiality.