Institutional BD – DeFi Lending

About the role

This position involves leading business development efforts for an institutional lending platform that bridges traditional finance and digital assets. The primary focus is on originating new institutional borrower relationships and overseeing the entire business development process. The role requires representing the platform externally, particularly within the New York financial community.

The successful candidate will be the main external representative for the platform in New York, engaging with potential borrowers and managing relationships. This includes attending industry events and meetings to expand the platform's reach. Collaboration with internal credit, capital markets, and leadership teams is essential to align business development strategies with overall company goals.

Success in this role means significantly scaling the institutional platform by securing new borrower relationships and closing large transactions. The role is critical during a growth phase, requiring a professional who can independently drive new business while integrating with various internal teams to ensure comprehensive support for client engagements.

The base salary for this position ranges from $175,000 to $250,000, complemented by meaningful performance-based incentives.

Skills that matter here

• institutional business development: This role requires originating new institutional borrower relationships and managing the full lifecycle of business development.
• capital markets: Experience in capital markets is necessary to understand the financial landscape and engage with institutional clients effectively.
• institutional lending, credit, or structured finance: Direct experience in these areas is crucial for understanding the products and client needs in DeFi lending.
• digital assets, blockchain finance, DeFi, or crypto-native institutions: Familiarity with digital assets and DeFi is essential given the platform's focus at the intersection of traditional and digital finance.
• networked in the NYC institutional finance community: Being well-networked in New York is key to identifying and engaging with potential institutional borrowers.
• originating and closing large transactions: A proven track record in this area is required to drive significant growth for the platform.

Who this role suits

• A professional with at least five years of experience in institutional business development or capital markets.
• Someone who has direct experience with institutional lending, credit, or structured finance.
• An individual who is well-networked within the New York institutional finance community.
• A candidate with a background in digital assets, blockchain finance, DeFi, or crypto-native institutions.

From the employer

• Act as the primary external face of the platform in New York.
• Originate new institutional borrower relationships.
• Own the full lifecycle of business development.
• Represent the platform at industry events and meetings.
• Collaborate with credit, capital markets, and leadership teams.

• 5+ years experience in institutional business development or capital markets.
• Direct experience in institutional lending, credit, or structured finance.
• Experience with digital assets, blockchain finance, DeFi, or crypto-native institutions.
• Well-networked in the NYC institutional finance community.
• Proven track record of originating and closing large transactions.

• Remote-first culture with optional access to a shared New York office space.
• No mandated in-office days, autonomy and trust are core to the culture.
• Competitive base salary plus meaningful performance upside.