Country Lead Italy
Senior
Swan
Milano, Milano, Lombardia, Italia
Hybrid
Contratto a tempo indeterminato
Fintech
Descrizione della Posizione Lavorativa
About Swan
Swan is a European embedded banking specialist that enables software companies to integrate accounts, cards and payments into their products under their own brand. The company processes large monthly transaction volumes for over 150 clients and is a licensed financial institution regulated by the French banking authority.
Our mission
We believe banking should be embedded into business software so that critical financial workflows are executed inside the tools companies already use, rather than across spreadsheets, emails and bank portals.
Role overview
We are looking for a Country Lead Italy, based in our Milan office, to lead Swan’s commercial expansion in Italy. In the first 1–2 years your success will be measured by your ability to source and close strategic partnerships and then grow those relationships to realise their full potential. Over time the role will gradually shift toward managing and expanding existing strategic clients.
In this position you will also act as Swan’s public representative in Italy, including events, press and LinkedIn presence. You will serve as Swan’s Legal Representative locally and, together with the Italian MLRO, handle dealings with the local regulator. Internally you will advocate for Italian product localisation and bring partner and end-user requirements into Swan’s roadmap.
Main tasks
- Own new business revenue and enterprise client acquisition, using a consultative, solution-oriented sales approach.
- Act as local Strategic Account Management representative to ensure partners are supported and product localisation aligns with partner needs.
- Design and run outbound strategies with support from sales and growth teams to generate and nurture opportunities.
- Be the internal and external point of contact for marketing and PR activities in Italy.
- Develop Swan’s offering for new verticals and identify opportunities to expand our market footprint.
- Represent Swan publicly at industry events and in media to build awareness and source prospects.
- Manage relationships with local regulators to ensure compliance with Italian requirements (with support from MLRO).
- Collaborate cross-functionally with product, compliance and other teams to shape solutions and improve onboarding.
Preferred experience
You’re a great fit if you have:
- 6+ years of sales experience, ideally selling technical products in Fintech or Payments within an international/European context.
- Proven ability to prospect outbound and to manage long, complex enterprise sales cycles.
- Experience selling to and growing large accounts and navigating complex organisations.
- Comfort with technical product details and the ability to translate them into business value.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
- Fluency in Italian and professional proficiency in English.
- Passion for startups and new technologies; curious and eager to learn.
We encourage candidates who don’t meet every single criterion to apply — we value diversity and potential.
Additional responsibilities and team context
You will collaborate with our Head of Sales (based in Barcelona) to lead the Milan office. Initially you will be the sole hire on-site, with the possibility to expand the team over coming years. The role requires enjoying individual contributor work: actively hunting, closing deals and leading on larger opportunities with team support.
Recruitment process
- 30-minute video call with the Talent Acquisition Manager
- Interview with Head of International
- Peer interview
- Interview with Head of Sales
- Business case and final interview with the CRO
Diversity & inclusion
Swan is committed to an inclusive workplace and hires regardless of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. Recruitment focuses on experience, skills and personality.