Partnerships Manager

Company Overview:

uConnect is on a mission to help more people realize their potential by improving access to career services for all people - early in their lives and throughout their careers. Focused on the traditional higher education market, uConnect's All-In-One Virtual Career Center is used by a wide range of institutions including UCLA, MIT, and Baton Rouge Community College to radically improve utilization of career services, career readiness and student outcomes. We're a mission-driven team working in a fun and collaborative culture which puts people first. uConnect is backed by leading technology investors including Growth Street Partners, Strada Education and LearnLaunch.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a results-driven Partnerships Manager to lead the identification, development, and management of strategic partnerships that enhance our product ecosystem. The Partnerships Manager will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive partnership strategy that supports the company’s product strategy. This role will focus on driving strategic partnerships to enhance product development, strengthening existing product modules, sourcing and managing best-in-class content partnerships, and handling inbound business development requests. This role requires a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to sourcing and curating high-quality content providers, managing partnership opportunities, and supporting ongoing product development. The ideal candidate will possess a strong ability to navigate complex negotiations, build lasting relationships, and align partnership strategies with business objectives.

What a Typical Day Will Look Like:

• Standing meetings: daily Engineering standups, Product team meeting, Manager 1:1, Partnership and GTM teams, etc.
• Ad hoc meetings: work with cross-functional teams like product marketing, marketing, sales, CS, leadership
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard high-value content providers to enhance various products, ensuring breadth, depth and freshness of content
• Evaluate ongoing partnership health through contracted metrics and goals, incorporating customer feedback to ensure mutual goals are met
• Own the outbound and inbound partnership pipeline and execute business development opportunities
• Strengthen relationships with existing partners and, where applicable, introduce and institute strategic contractual elements that drive mutual value
• Support product development team in discovery through thought-leadership partnerships, where applicable
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment between partnership initiatives and company strategy

30-60-90 Day Plan:

• First 30 Days: Complete 2 week onboarding plan. Become an expert in the product and competitive space, as well as understanding our customer and customer needs. Understand historical product launches, recent launches, and what is in development. Build an understanding of the current partnership landscape and partners in the pipeline.
• Next 30 Days (31-60): Start to own partnership work, including supporting partner-based product modules and support. Become well versed in the current partnership strategy, and begin to develop key areas of the future partnership strategy.
• Final 30 Days (61-90): Fully own existing partnerships and important data feeds for product. Present partnerships strategy to support product growth, in concert with CPO and existing PM, inclusive of the following:
• Ways to expand the network of high-quality content partnerships while deepening relationships with existing partners, ensuring high retention and satisfaction
• Structured process for evaluating and prioritizing inbound partnership opportunities and for existing partners
• Drive key strategic alliances that contribute to product innovation and revenue growth
• Build internal best practices and documentation to scale partnership efforts effectively

Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, or strategic alliances
• Experience working in a product-driven organization, preferably within technology, SaaS, or digital content industries - edtech experience a plus
• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills
• Ability to evaluate and execute complex partnership deals
• Proven track record of developing and scaling partnerships that drive revenue and product innovation
• Experience negotiating and instituting partnership agreements that drive revenue, contracting minimums, operational execution of agreements
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base, performance-based bonus, equity
• Unlimited PTO
• 401k Matching
• Medical Plus plans
• Home Office Stipend
• Employee Stock Options