Growth Partnerships Lead
Leads building and scaling external partnerships from 0-1, owning business development, deal closure, contract negotiations, and stakeholder management for data/AI initiatives. Requires 5+ years in BD/partnerships with proven deal-making experience.
About the job
What You’ll Do
Build Partnerships from Scratch (0 → 1)
- Identify, outreach, design, and launch new partnership models with external organizations, networks, and institutions
- Test and iterate on partnership structures before scaling what works
- Create early frameworks and playbooks where none exist today
Business Development & Deal Ownership
- Lead outbound and inbound partnership conversations end-to-end
- Qualify partners, define mutual value, and drive deals to close
- Structure commercial terms that align incentives and support long-term collaboration
Contracting & Negotiation
- Own negotiations across pricing, scope, timelines, and obligations
- Work closely with Legal and Finance to move quickly without sacrificing rigor
- Balance speed, flexibility, and scalability in early-stage agreements
Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary point of contact for external partners and senior stakeholders
- Manage complex, multi-party relationships with clarity and credibility
- Align internal teams (Product, Research, Ops, Legal) around partnership priorities
Operate Scrappily, Then Systematize
- Start hands-on: build lists, run outreach, draft docs, close deals yourself
- Identify patterns and convert them into repeatable processes over time
- Help shape the tools, metrics, and systems needed as the function scales
What We’re Looking For
Experience
- 5+ years in Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, or Commercial Roles
- Proven experience negotiating and closing contracts
- Track record of managing high-stakes external stakeholders
- Direct experience working with data products
Mindset & Skills
- Builder mentality: excited by ambiguity and 0→1 problems
- Scrappy, resourceful, and comfortable doing unglamorous work early
- Strong commercial instincts and negotiation skills
- Clear, concise communicator with executive presence
- Able to operate independently while partnering closely with internal teams
Nice to Have
- Experience in marketplaces, platforms, or high-growth startups
- Exposure to data-driven products, AI, or technical stakeholders
- Background working cross-functionally with legal and finance teams
- Familiarity with compliance and data rights
Benefits
- Generous equity grant vested over 4 years
- A $20K relocation bonus (if moving to the Bay Area)
- A $10K housing bonus (if you live within 0.5 miles of our office)
- A $1K monthly stipend for meals
- Free Equinox membership
- Health insurance
Skills
Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, Contract Negotiation, Stakeholder Management, Data Products, Commercial Negotiation, Marketplaces, High-Growth Startups, Ai Exposure, Compliance
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