Hiring Manager

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Job Description

About us Aave Labs began with a simple question: how do we make financial services like borrowing, saving, and earning more accessible globally? We built the Aave Protocol, now the world’s largest and most trusted onchain lending market, connecting decentralized finance with individuals, traditional finance, and fintech. Today, we build trusted, high-quality products that expand access to lending, credit, and savings globally Our culture We build trusted products that help people access and discover economic opportunities. We hold a high bar for quality and craftsmanship. No detail is too small. Trust depends on it. We’re a global team building products people can actually use, turning complex technology into something simple and reliable. We stay aligned, move quickly, and think long term, while keeping teams lean and focused on impact. About the role: We are looking for a highly driven Strategy & BD Associate to work closely with Aave Labs’ leadership team on high-impact strategic initiatives across ecosystem growth, product expansion, and institutional adoption. This is a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of strategy, business development, and execution within one of the most influential organizations in decentralized finance. The role is designed for someone who thrives in fast-moving environments, enjoys solving complex problems, and is excited to help shape the future of onchain finance. You will support and help drive a broad range of initiatives across Aave Labs, reporting to the Chief Strategy & Business Officer, working cross-functionally with product, engineering, legal, marketing, ecosystem, and external partners. This role is intentionally designed with broad exposure across strategy, ecosystem growth, and execution. For the right person, it represents a significant opportunity to grow within Aave Labs’ business development and strategic functions over time, take ownership of key initiatives, and help shape the evolution of the team as the organization continues to scale.

How you can make an impact:

Become a leading expert in Aave’s DeFi product suite including both the Aave Protocol, Horizon and GHO

Develop and execute Aave’s institutional DeFi business development strategy, balancing near-term commercial opportunities with longer-term market development

Partner closely with the CSBO, leadership, growth, product, engineering, risk, and marketing teams to shape institutional offerings, support go-to-market plans, and bring new products to market

Build and deepen relationships with financial institutions and institutional partners, translating their needs into meaningful commercial, product, and ecosystem opportunities

Work with key large scale collaborators within the ecosystem including DeFi projects, CeFi exchanges, blockchain protocols and other key industry players to grow distribution and market share

Represent Aave Labs at key industry events and conferences, enhancing its presence in the ecosystem. Serve as a PR representative and spokesperson for Aave in the region with institutional partners

Let's connect if you have:

7+ years of business development, partnerships, or strategic growth experience within financial services, digital assets, fintech, or a related industry

Demonstrated success building and managing strategic partnerships, including structuring and negotiating complex commercial agreements with senior stakeholders across business, legal, product, and technical teams

Strong understanding of DeFi, digital assets, and blockchain technology, with a genuine passion for the role decentralized infrastructure can play in the future of financial services

Knowledge of institutional DeFi and the evolving regulatory landscape affecting digital asset adoption by financial institutions

Ability to identify, prioritise, and execute against high-impact opportunities, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution

Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to advance deals and projects

Strong reputation and extensive network with industry leaders across capital markets

Haven’t quite met all the criteria? Let’s not miss out on the chance to speak. Whilst you might not meet every single requirement, you might bring other, more exciting skills to the companies!

Equal opportunities statement:

Aave Labs celebrates diversity and views each and every team member as a separate individual with their own unique identity. No matter your race, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation or even the wallet you use, we welcome you at Aave Labs. As an equal opportunities employer, we take accountability and believe in everyone's potential to build, create and inspire changes. With a mission to build a diverse workforce, we are proud to foster a working environment in which everyone can feel safe and valued for who they are.

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