Business Development Director -Startup Banking- Technology

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area with a hybrid work setup, First Citizens Bank leads the SVB Startup Banking initiative and seeks a seasoned leader to head business development. The role centers on building strategic relationships with technology investors, driving founder-focused initiatives, and accelerating client acquisition and cross-selling of SVB’s platform across the Bay Area startup ecosystem.

Details

• Location: San Francisco, CA (hybrid)
• Salary: USD 160,350 - 210,000 per year
• Experience: Minimum 6 years of Relationship Management / Business Development in the startup technology ecosystem
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or High School diploma/GED

Responsibilities

• Serve as an ecosystem partner and connector within the Bay Area innovation economy
• Support founder success through lead conversion, client connections, and value-add for premier clients and partners
• Build your own pipeline of new business through events, 1x1 referrals, and strategic outbound
• Collaborate with internal teams including later-stage commercial bank units, Wealth, sales ops, and marketing to drive new business efforts
• Analyze and coordinate data elements (post-event data, leads, CRM management) to narrate geographic performance and track KPIs toward goals
• Develop, maintain, and engage strategic relationships within the technology investor community to scale SVB’s businesses
• Act as an SVB ambassador
• Cross-sell the SVB platform by securing and retaining top opportunities
• Provide strategic insight and advice to critical investor relationships and internal bank stakeholders
• Drive client acquisition and growth by presenting SVB’s value proposition to clients and prospects
• Directly manage and develop key channel partnerships while serving as a visible SVB Startup Banking ambassador in the covered markets
• Work closely with SVB Startup Banking Relationship Managers to convert prospects into clients and support RMs by delivering market insights and founder-success initiatives to their clients, collaborating for a best-in-class client experience
• The Director position is designed to primarily engage with founders and future founders

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 6 years of Relationship Management / Business Development experience in the startup technology ecosystem
• Or High School diploma or GED with 10 years of experience
• Active in the Technology sector and engaged with the VC and startup communities (preferred)
• Target-driven and data-informed, able to blend analytics and intuition to deliver results and optimize processes
• Ability to cultivate authentic relationships with influential referral partners in the startup ecosystem; shares perspectives with colleagues to inform recommendations and ensures cohesion across SVB’s businesses with timely progress reviews
• Influential with gravitas and charisma; collaborates well with internal colleagues and can navigate difficult external discussions with key relationships when needed
• Persistent and resourceful, able to ideate new ways to engage clients and prospects; comfortable with pipeline development and accountable for results; capable of cross-selling SVB’s platform; handles tough client conversations and focuses on solutions
• Confidently represents SVB with a unique, informed POV and can connect with serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders, early- and late-stage investors, and stakeholders as needed