Director, Sales & Partnerships - Home Improvement Lending

Company: LendKey
Location: Cincinnati
Posted on: February 17, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Description: LendKey Technologies, Inc. is a pioneer in digital network lending, dedicated to simplifying the lending process for both financial institutions and borrowers. With more than 15 years of experience, LendKey has facilitated more than $8 billion in loans through hundreds of credit unions and community banks nationwide. Our mission is to empower local lenders with innovative, reliable technology that upholds community values while enabling access to national markets. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director, Sales & Partnerships – Home Improvement Lending to lead our growth and relationship strategy within the Home Improvement channel. This leader will oversee the Account Management team, build out a Contractor Sales team, and take ownership of driving channel performance through strategic partnerships and effective team leadership. The ideal candidate has deep experience in home improvement lending and a proven track record of driving revenue through both relationship management and new sales initiatives. This person will bring a mix of strategic thinking and hands-on execution — capable of managing enterprise partnerships, developing sales programs, and coaching a high-performing team to deliver results. What You'll Do: Leadership & Team Development Lead, mentor, and develop the Account Management team to maximize retention, partner satisfaction, and portfolio growth. Build and scale a Contractor Sales team focused on new partner acquisition and channel expansion. Define performance expectations, set goals, and establish commission plans aligned with company objectives. Sales Strategy & Revenue Growth Support the development and execution of the go-to-market strategy for LendKey’s Home Improvement channel in collaboration with senior leadership. Demonstrate a consistent history of meeting or exceeding sales goals through deep engagement with partners and expansion of high-performing relationships. Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Product, and Operations to create scalable sales campaigns and partner programs. Establish sales processes, KPIs, and reporting to drive predictable growth and accountability across the team. Strategic Partnerships & Enterprise Account Management Take lead on managing and growing relationships with large enterprise accounts, ensuring strong alignment on objectives and consistent business growth. Work with senior management to launch and scale strategic partnerships that drive new business and expand LendKey’s footprint in the home improvement financing market. Identify and pursue new partnership opportunities with large contractors, manufacturers, and distribution partners. Account Management & Partner Success Oversee ongoing relationships with key home improvement and fintech partners, ensuring alignment on growth objectives. Develop and implement account plans, renewal strategies, and performance reviews for top-tier accounts. Partner with marketing to launch co-branded campaigns and promotional initiatives targeting B2B contractor audiences. Collaboration & Influence Collaborate with Product and Marketing to provide partner feedback and shape go-to-market initiatives. Work closely with Finance to design and manage incentive programs, pricing structures, and sales compensation plans. Represent the Home Improvement business at industry events and conferences. Requirements: What We're Looking For: 5 years of experience in home improvement lending, point-of-sale lending, or related financial services. 3 years of sales management experience, including direct oversight of account management or business development teams. Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets through direct sales and relationship expansion. Experience managing large enterprise accounts and developing long-term B2B partnerships. Strong understanding of sales process design, forecasting, and pipeline management. Hands-on experience using Salesforce (or similar CRM) to manage pipelines, track performance, and forecast results. Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills. Data-driven approach to decision-making with a focus on accountability and measurable outcomes. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time. Strong desire to work for a mission-based organization that emphasizes the importance of providing exceptional customer service and aligned with our core values: Truthful at all times; Helpful to teammates, clients, and customers; Present , committed & engaged to their teams and work; Driven to be courageous to make an impact; and Diligent & conscientious in executing every element of work. Preferred Experience launching or scaling a contractor or dealer network within the home improvement or point-of-sale lending space. Familiarity with marketing campaign development and B2B lead generation. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-functional fintech environment. Why Join LendKey? Growth & Opportunity: Be part of a company that values professional development and encourages new ideas. Community Impact: Join a team that supports local communities and social responsibility. Creative & Transparent Culture: An open, collaborative environment that values innovation and honest communication. Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and additional wellness coverage for your overall well-being. Unlimited PTO: Flexible time off to support work-life balance. Stock Options: Opportunity to share in the company’s growth and success. The base salary range for this role is $120,000–$150,000 , depending on your experience, skills, and location. This role also includes a commission plan tied to performance and client growth. What We Do: LendKey offers a comprehensive digital platform for private student loans, student loan refinancing, and home improvement loans, allowing community-based financial institutions to expand their portfolios and serve more borrowers without increasing infrastructure. Through our ALIRO platform, lenders can efficiently participate in, buy, and sell loans, streamlining portfolio diversification and capital deployment. For financial institutions, LendKey provides turnkey solutions that include: End-to-end loan origination and servicing expertise Seamless access to a national network of lending partners Advanced risk mitigation and compliance support Opportunities to efficiently deploy capital and diversify portfolios For borrowers, LendKey delivers: Access to affordable, competitive student loan products from trusted local lenders A simple, transparent digital application and servicing experience The benefits of community-focused lending with the convenience of modern technology LendKey’s network lending model empowers both lenders and borrowers, bridging the gap between local values and national reach. LendKey is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable state or federal law. LendKey offers reasonable accommodations to candidates with physical or mental disabilities. If you need accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process due to a disability, please let us know at HR@lendkey.com. Visit Lendkey.com for more information.

Keywords: LendKey, Kettering , Director, Sales & Partnerships - Home Improvement Lending, Sales , Cincinnati, Ohio