Partnerships Manager

Job description

ABOUT COW DAO CoW DAO is on a mission to build the most robust, user-protective, and efficient trading infrastructure in DeFi. We are the creators behind CoW Protocol (the engine behind CoW Swap). Operating as a dominant player in DeFi, CoW Protocol recently crossed a massive milestone of over $200 Billion in lifetime trading volume and consistently ranks as a top-two DEX aggregator by market share. Through combinatorial batch auctions, a competitive network of "solvers," and our unique Coincidence of Wants (CoW) matching engine, we protect traders from MEV bots and secure the absolute best execution prices on the market. Learn more https://cow.fi/cow-swap ABOUT THE ROLE Location: We are a fully remote team, and although we hire almost globally, there is a preference for this role to be based in Europe or remote +/- 4 hours CEST time Please note we’re not hiring from the US, Australia, or New Zealand Position: Full-time contractor CoW DAO is in a phase of active growth. As we scale our multi-chain footprint and expand heavily into the B2B and institutional landscapes, we are looking for a BD/Partnerships Manager to help take our ecosystem relationships to the next level. In this role, you will focus deeply on our existing partner network—streamlining, deepening, and scaling these current collaborations to unlock their full potential. At the same time, you will work on expanding our reach by bringing new strategic partnerships and institutional names into our pipeline. The ideal candidate is a true DeFi native—someone who lives and breathes decentralized finance, understands market structures, and brings a sharp understanding of financial markets. If you combine deep crypto fluency with exceptional partnership management skills, this is your opportunity to shape the B2B growth engine of a protocol processing billions in volume. WHAT YOU WILL DO - Focus on our existing partner network, using a methodical and thorough approach to streamline and expand current collaborations to unlock their full value, while smoothly bringing new strategic partners into the pipeline. - Identify and pursue partnership opportunities with: - Consumer-facing financial applications (wallets, neobanks, trading apps) - Institutional players (market makers, trading firms, fintechs) - Other DeFi protocols and ecosystem partners - Act as a technical expert when pitching CoW DAO’s core products - tailoring the narrative effortlessly for both technical developers and non-technical institutional executives. - Navigate complex enterprise sales processes, including managing RFPs, multi-stakeholder negotiations, and legal reviews - Develop sales enablement materials such as polished sales decks, target lists, and influence maps to support BD efforts - Act as the voice of our partners, bringing market insights, friction points, and industry trends back to the core team to help shape our product direction. - Attend conferences, industry events, and community panels to elevate our B2B presence and build meaningful industry connections. WHO YOU ARE - True DeFi native with a deep passion for decentralized finance, a solid grasp of market structures, and a sharp understanding of institutional financial markets. - 7+ years of business development, account management, or partnership management, including at least 3+ within the crypto/Web3 ecosystem - Highly methodical and detail-oriented approach, with the patience and strategic mindset needed to nurture, streamline, and scale existing ecosystem relationships. - Strong technical aptitude, with the ability to act as an expert when explaining complex primitives like intent-based routing, MEV mitigation, and batch auctions to developers and executives alike. - Exceptional communication skills, effortlessly tailoring complex narratives for both deeply technical engineering teams and non-technical institutional partners. - Comfortable navigating multi-stakeholder enterprise cycles, from initial alignment and technical integration checks to final operational reviews. - Self-driven operator who thrives in a fully remote, open-source, and flatly structured environment. WHAT WE CAN OFFER - Flexible work environment: Join our hub in Lisbon or work remotely - Token plan: Have a stake in our mission and shape the future of CoW DAO - Periodic gatherings: Enjoy opportunities to connect with the rest of the team through regular trips - Conference allocation: Stay up-to-date with ecosystem advancements using our conference budget - Learning budget: Use our learning budget to support your higher ambitions - Hardware budget: Take advantage of a hardware budget for acquiring necessary equipment - Make an impact: You are joining an organisation where you can make a huge difference. Your work matters! - Flat hierarchies mean fewer processes and bureaucracy - see more of your ideas come to life! - Flexible work and vacation times: Prioritize work-life balance through our robust flexible work policy and vacation allowance - Growth: If you’re someone who loves taking the initiative and getting things done, CoW offers lots of opportunities for your individual growth REFERRAL PROGRAM Earn 3000 USDC or USD with the refer-to-earn program. More details here https://cow.fi/careers/refer-to-earn. CULTURE Life within the CoW DAO is an incredible adventure! We take pride in our collaborative approach, embracing autonomy and fostering a culture of big thinking and continuous growth. We value impact, ownership, simplicity, and team spirit. Plus, we're all about feedback, coming together, and enjoying the journey along the way! At CoW DAO, we strive to create a space where everyone feels included and empowered. We believe that our products and services benefit from our diverse backgrounds and experiences. All qualified applicants are considered for positions regardless of race, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, marital status, gender identification, sexual orientation, or physical ability