Partnership Success Lead

About Us

At native, we're redefining student engagement. For over a decade, we've been building meaningful connections between universities, students, and advertisers. As a fast-growing startup, we bring together diverse stakeholders in a purpose-built ecosystem that empowers students, strengthens university partnerships, and drives impactful advertiser engagement.

We're looking for a Partnership Success Lead to spearhead the development and success of strategic partnerships across the US market. This is a pivotal role that combines leadership, strategy, and hands-on account management to drive the long-term success of our university partners.

As the Partnership Success Lead for the US market, you will be responsible for leading and scaling the team focused on delivering exceptional service and value to our key US Students' Union partners. You’ll guide and mentor a growing team, establishing the vision and strategic direction for partner success while driving high-impact initiatives that enhance engagement, retention, and growth.

Your primary focus will be to ensure that native’s product offerings are fully leveraged to meet the unique needs of our US partners, securing long-term partnerships and maximizing the impact of student-focused initiatives.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leadership & Team Development
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of Partnership Success Managers, setting clear goals and priorities.
• Drive a culture of excellence, collaboration, and results, while fostering an environment of professional development.
• Define and implement best practices for the team, ensuring consistent delivery of exceptional partner experiences.
• Strategic Partnership Management
• Develop and execute a strategic plan to engage, support, and grow key US Students' Union partnerships.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with senior stakeholders in US universities and their Students' Unions.
• Drive the overall success and retention of US partnerships, ensuring alignment with native’s mission and long-term goals.
• Account & Portfolio Management
• Oversee a portfolio of high-priority university accounts, ensuring the delivery of high-impact, tailored solutions.
• Lead contract negotiations, renewals, and pricing discussions to maximize partnership value and growth.
• Develop and implement success metrics for partner engagement, ensuring clear ROI and measurable outcomes.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Collaborate with internal teams (Sales, Product, GTM) to align on strategy and deliver a seamless partner experience.
• Provide thought leadership in partnership strategy, helping shape product development and roadmap based on partner feedback.
• Act as the voice of the partner internally, advocating for their needs and ensuring product fit.
• Market Leadership & Growth
• Own the growth strategy for the US market, identifying opportunities to expand and deepen relationships across the region.
• Develop a strong understanding of the US education landscape and stay up-to-date with industry trends and challenges.
• Partner with senior leadership to develop scalable solutions for the US market, driving forward our expansion strategy.
• Team Performance & Reporting
• Monitor and report on team performance, ensuring KPIs and goals are being met.
• Develop detailed reports for senior leadership, highlighting key successes, risks, and areas for improvement.
• Actively participate in leadership meetings, contributing to strategic discussions and initiatives.
  

What You’ll Need

• 8+ years of experience in a senior account or partnership management role, with a strong emphasis on leading teams.
• Demonstrated success in managing strategic partnerships in the education, technology, or digital media space.
• Proven track record of driving growth and retention, with expertise in developing and executing partnership strategies.
• Strong leadership capabilities, with the ability to inspire and mentor a diverse team of professionals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a consultative approach to relationship management.
• Commercial acumen and experience managing large accounts, contracts, and negotiations.
• Deep understanding of the US education sector and the challenges and opportunities within the Students' Union landscape.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence key internal stakeholders.
• Passion for student engagement and driving impact through digital innovation.
• Ability to travel within the US as needed.
  
  

What’s In It For You

• Competitive salary + equity options.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and 401(k) matching.
• Opportunity to shape the future of student engagement in the US.
• Be part of a fast-growing, dynamic team with a mission-driven culture.
  
  

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment for all employees. We celebrate diversity and strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, feels welcome and supported at native. We encourage applications from all individuals and provide equal opportunities to all qualified candidates.