Director GTM & Partnerships (m/f/d)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director GTM & Partnerships (m/f/d)

🔹 Company: RIZM

🔹 Location: Germany (Remote)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Software Development

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-06-12

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Architecting and driving partnership strategy from hypothesis to execution
• Measurably accelerating ARR growth and market penetration
• Prioritizing opportunities for fastest, most cost-efficient growth
• Independently leading outreach, negotiation, and closing of partnerships
• Scaling successful models and partnerships for long-term success

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication abilities to succeed in a fast-paced, growing startup environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Identify relevant partnership fields (tech, consulting, energy)

✅ Create and test data-driven hypotheses to forecast GTM and ARR impact

✅ Evaluate opportunities for fastest, most cost-efficient growth

✅ Quickly test hypotheses to guide resource investment for maximum return

✅ Design contracts from concept to successful launch

✅ Independently lead outreach, negotiation, and closing of partnerships

✅ Scale successful models and partnerships

✅ Establish frameworks to monitor joined value creation

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple priorities and stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 3+ years of experience working with C-levels and/or consultancies at a partnership level

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of achieving goals and solving complex problems
• Professional fluency in German and English
• Excellent communication abilities with high-ranking stakeholders
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills
• Experience in project management and operational execution
• Expertise in creating and analyzing hypotheses and forecasts
• Experience in establishing evaluation and monitoring models
• Flexibility to adapt to new challenges and changing market conditions
• Strong data-driven and analytical mindset

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in Startup-Land (either as a Founder or Early Employee)
• Experience as Chief of Staff or in a similar role that requires strong communication skills, organization, and an execution focus

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the energy industry or relevant partnerships will have an advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €80,000 - €120,000 per year (AI-estimated, based on experience level and industry standards)

Benefits:

• Significant Shares: https://www.indexventures.com/rewarding-talent/esop-rules
• Investment in your Skill: Access to a network of the greatest minds in European business, significantly enhanced by our backers at Point Nine
• Impact: Opportunity to change the world and save Europe
• The Ride: Expect the craziest ride of your business life

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible hours and a results-driven work environment

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a Director-level role in the software development sector, with consideration for the company's size and location.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Software Development, specifically focused on energy systems optimization and AI-driven solutions

Company Size: 11-50 employees (Small to Medium-sized Enterprise)

Founded: 2020

Company Description:

• RIZM combines data from production, energy procurement, and infrastructure to enable holistic optimization of energy systems, procurement, operation, and production decisions with the help of algorithms
• Supports teams in realizing synergy effects and already in use by almost 10% of the DAX-40

Company Specialties:

• Energysystems
• Optimization
• Planning
• Cloud Platform
• Renewable Energies
• Hydrogen
• Sectorcoupling
• Energy Grid
• Energy
• Energy Transition
• Renewable Energy
• Carbon Neutrality
• Software Development
• AI
• Volatility
• and Operation

Company Website: https://www.rizm.de

ASSUMPTION: RIZM is a growing startup with a focus on innovation and impact in the energy sector, offering applicants the chance to make a significant contribution to the company's success.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Director-level, reporting directly to the founders

Reporting Structure: This role will have a team of partnership managers reporting to them

Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with a flexible and results-driven work environment

Growth Opportunities:

• As the company grows, there will be opportunities to expand the team and take on more responsibilities
• Potential for career progression into a VP or C-level role as the company scales

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential as the company continues to expand and gain market share.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Remote-first, with the option to work from the company's headquarters in Düsseldorf

Office Location(s): Düsseldorf, Germany

Geographic Context:

• Germany has a strong energy sector and is at the forefront of the global energy transition
• Düsseldorf is a major economic hub in Germany, with a vibrant startup ecosystem
• The remote work arrangement allows for flexibility and work-life balance

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible hours and a results-driven work environment

ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement and flexible hours allow for a better work-life balance and the ability to attract top talent from across Germany and Europe.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial chat with one of the founders to get to know each other and understand the current situation and expectations (30 minutes)
• Take-home challenge and technical interview with Joshua (120 minutes)
• Personal meeting with all the founders (Elias, Joshua, and Philipp) to determine if there's a good fit (approx. 45 minutes)

Key Assessment Areas:

• Problem-solving skills and ability to think strategically
• Communication and negotiation skills
• Analytical and data-driven mindset
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for the take-home challenge by demonstrating your ability to analyze data and create hypotheses
• Show enthusiasm for the company's mission and the energy sector during the interview process

ATS Keywords: Partnership Management, Negotiation, Project Management, Analytical Skills, Communication, Contract Management, Data-Driven Mindset, Flexibility, Problem Solving, Stakeholder Management

ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to assess the candidate's skills and cultural fit, with a focus on strategic thinking, communication, and analytical abilities.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
• Contract management tools (e.g., DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the candidate's preferences and the company's existing tech stack.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Focused Ownership: Every team member takes ownership of their work and prioritizes tasks that drive the most impact
• Agility and Fast Iteration: The company is agile and adaptable, embracing change while being intentional about its implementation
• We Win as a Team: The team works together with mutual respect, appreciating that different tasks require different mindsets
• Dynamic Growth Mindset: The company embraces a growth mindset, continuously learning and adapting to new challenges
• Direct but Empathetic Communication: The team communicates directly and respectfully without sugarcoating facts, with the intent to work effectively and efficiently

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic startup environment
• Results-driven and focused on achieving goals
• Collaborative and supportive team culture

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you take ownership of your work and prioritize tasks that drive the most impact?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment?
• Do you communicate directly and respectfully, with the intent to work effectively and efficiently?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with RIZM's values and work style will be more likely to succeed in this role and contribute to the company's success.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in a fast-paced, growing startup environment may require adaptability and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Dealing with high-ranking stakeholders and C-level executives may require strong communication and negotiation skills
• The remote work arrangement may present challenges in terms of communication and collaboration
• The energy sector is complex and rapidly evolving, requiring a strong understanding of the market and relevant technologies

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and a willingness to adapt and learn.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other partnership management roles in its focus on the energy sector and AI-driven solutions
• RIZM's focus on innovation and impact in the energy sector sets it apart from other companies in the industry
• Career progression in this role may follow a similar path to that of a VP or C-level role in a growing startup or energy-focused company

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of the energy and technology sectors, with a focus on innovation and impact.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a strategic partnership plan to accelerate ARR growth and market penetration
• Negotiating and closing a partnership with a major energy provider or technology company
• Establishing a framework to monitor joined value creation and ensure long-term success of partnerships

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and analytical nature of the role, as well as the importance of effective communication and negotiation skills.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current partnership landscape and how this role will help shape it?
• How does RIZM support its partners in achieving their goals and creating value?
• What are the key challenges and opportunities in the energy sector, and how does RIZM plan to address them?
• How does RIZM foster a culture of continuous learning and growth?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the energy sector, allowing them to make an informed decision about their application.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link: https://rizm.de/careers
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for the take-home challenge by demonstrating your ability to analyze data and create hypotheses
• Show enthusiasm for the company's mission and the energy sector during the interview process
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.