Director, Strategic Brand Partnerships

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director, Strategic Brand Partnerships

🔹 Company: Grindr

🔹 Location: New York, NY, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (Tuesdays & Thursdays in-office)

🔹 Category: Sales & Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: July 17, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years of experience, 3+ years of Sales Management experience

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading and scaling Grindr’s premium sponsorship business across travel, media & entertainment, lifestyle, and luxury sectors.
• Managing and mentoring a team of Brand Sales Executives to achieve goals and OKRs.
• Building deep, bold partnerships with challenger brands and big players in authentic queer marketing spaces.
• Personally closing high-value, complex, long-term deals with major clients and agencies.
• Representing Grindr at high-profile industry events to elevate brand awareness.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic, creative, and fearless mindset to unlock bold, high-impact brand stories and challenge conservative approaches.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Manage and mentor a team of national and international Brand Sales Executives, setting strategy and ensuring goals and OKRs are met.

✅ Partner with internal stakeholders to understand company goals and objectives, creating a successful roadmap for the team.

✅ Build deep, bold partnerships with brands willing to step into authentic queer marketing spaces.

✅ Personally close high-value, complex, long-term deals with major clients and agencies.

✅ Represent Grindr at high-profile industry events to elevate brand awareness among brands and agencies.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of closing large, complex sponsorship or media deals and strong relationships with key decision-makers at major brands and agencies.

🎯 Required Qualifications

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

Experience: 10+ years of experience as a front-line seller with 3+ years of Sales Management experience, with a proven track record of consistently closing large, complex sponsorship or media deals.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of closing large, complex sponsorship or media deals.
• Deep, established relationships with key decision-makers at major brands and agencies.
• Fearless, creative, and strategic mindset.
• Comfortable selling in edgy and culturally nuanced environments.
• Passionate about authentic queer representation.
• Strong energy, curiosity, and hustle.
• Strategic vision for category and customer prioritization.
• Eager to find allies and champions inside big companies.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in the LGBTQ+ community or related industries.
• Fluency in additional languages.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong understanding of the global gay and bi men’s community and be fluent in the values, experiences, and nuances of this community.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $185,000 - $250,000 per year (based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)

Benefits:

• Family Insurance: Insurance premium coverage for health, dental, and vision for you and partial coverage for your dependents.
• Retirement Savings: Generous 401K plan with 6% match and immediate vest in the U.S.
• Compensation: Industry-competitive compensation and eligibility for company bonus and equity programs.
• Queer-Inclusive Benefits: Industry-leading gender-affirming offerings with up to 90% cost coverage, access to Included Health, monthly stipends for HRT, and more.
• Additional Benefits: Flexible vacation policy, monthly stipends for cell phone, internet, wellness, food, and commuting, breakfast/lunch provided onsite, and yearly travel & leisure stipend.

Working Hours: Full-time, with a flexible work arrangement requiring in-office presence on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as skills, qualifications, and business needs.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Grindr operates in the dating and social networking industry, with a focus on the LGBTQ+ community.

Company Size: Grindr is a mid-sized company with around 100-200 employees, providing a collaborative and dynamic work environment.

Founded: Grindr was founded in 2009 and has since grown to become a fundamental part of the LGBTQ+ community, with over 13.5 million monthly active users.

Company Description:

• Grindr is building the global gayborhood in your pocket, connecting LGBTQ+ people around the world.
• The company is committed to making the world more free, equal, and just for the LGBTQ+ community through its products and initiatives.
• Grindr offers a range of features, including messaging, photo sharing, and location-based services, to help users connect and build relationships.

Company Specialties:

• Dating and social networking for the LGBTQ+ community.
• Global community building and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
• Innovative use of technology to connect and empower users.

Company Website: grindr.com

ASSUMPTION: Grindr's mission and impact on the LGBTQ+ community make it an attractive place to work for individuals passionate about social change and community engagement.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring a strategic and experienced sales professional to lead and mentor a team.

Reporting Structure: The Director, Strategic Brand Partnerships will report directly to the Chief Revenue Officer and oversee a team of Brand Sales Executives.

Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, requiring in-office presence on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the remainder of the workweek being flexible.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow within the sales organization or explore other areas of the business as Grindr continues to expand.
• Opportunities to mentor and develop junior team members, fostering a culture of growth and learning.
• Chance to make a significant impact on Grindr's commercial success and the company's mission to support the LGBTQ+ community.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to combine commercial success with a strong social impact, making it an attractive choice for candidates passionate about both business and community engagement.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Grindr's New York office is a collaborative and inclusive workspace, designed to foster creativity and productivity.

Office Location(s): 915 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10010

Geographic Context:

• New York City offers a vibrant and diverse cultural scene, with numerous attractions, events, and neighborhoods to explore.
• The city is known for its fast-paced and dynamic business environment, providing ample opportunities for networking and professional growth.
• New York is also home to a large and active LGBTQ+ community, making it an ideal location for a company focused on serving this demographic.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a flexible work arrangement requiring in-office presence on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and flexible work schedule allow for a healthy work-life balance, while the in-office days provide opportunities for collaboration and team building.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager to discuss the role and assess cultural fit.
• In-depth interview with the Chief Revenue Officer to discuss strategic vision and commercial acumen.
• Final interview with a panel of stakeholders to assess skills, experience, and alignment with Grindr's mission and values.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Sales experience and track record of closing complex deals.
• Strategic vision and ability to develop and execute a successful roadmap for the team.
• Cultural fit and alignment with Grindr's mission and values.
• Relationship-building skills and ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience, strategic vision, and passion for queer representation.
• Prepare examples of successful partnerships and deals you've closed, demonstrating your ability to build and execute high-impact brand stories.
• Research Grindr's mission, values, and initiatives to show your understanding of and alignment with the company's goals.

ATS Keywords: Sales Management, Brand Partnerships, Strategic Vision, Commercial Acumen, Queer Representation, LGBTQ+ Community, High-Value Deals, Agency Relationships, Event Representation

ASSUMPTION: Grindr's interview process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, ensuring they are well-suited to the role and the company's mission.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
• Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard in the sales and marketing industry, and candidates should be comfortable using them to manage their workload and collaborate with their team.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Inclusive: Grindr is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
• Bold: Grindr encourages employees to take risks, challenge the status quo, and push the boundaries of what's possible.
• Curious: Grindr fosters a culture of learning and continuous improvement, encouraging employees to ask questions, seek out new information, and stay curious.

Work Style:

• Collaborative: Grindr values teamwork and encourages employees to work together to achieve common goals.
• Adaptable: Grindr is a fast-paced and dynamic company, requiring employees to be flexible and adaptable to change.
• Results-driven: Grindr is focused on achieving results and delivering value to its users and partners, and employees are expected to be driven and motivated to succeed.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody Grindr's values in your daily work?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you took a bold approach to a sales opportunity and how it turned out?
• How do you stay curious and continue learning in a fast-paced and ever-changing industry?

ASSUMPTION: Grindr's values and work style are designed to foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive work environment, where employees are encouraged to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Balancing the demands of managing a team and closing high-value deals may require strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Working in a fast-paced and dynamic industry may present challenges in keeping up with market trends and adapting to change.
• Navigating the cultural nuances of the global gay and bi men’s community may require sensitivity, empathy, and a deep understanding of the community's needs and experiences.
• Building and maintaining relationships with major brands and agencies may require extensive networking and relationship-building efforts.

ASSUMPTION: The challenges associated with this role are outweighed by the opportunity to make a significant impact on Grindr's commercial success and the company's mission to support the LGBTQ+ community.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other sales positions in its focus on building and maintaining partnerships with brands and agencies in the LGBTQ+ community, requiring a deep understanding of the community's needs and experiences.
• In the broader sales industry, this role is comparable to a Director of Strategic Partnerships or Business Development role, with a focus on building and maintaining high-value, long-term client relationships.
• Career-wise, this role offers the opportunity to grow within the sales organization or explore other areas of the business as Grindr continues to expand.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of commercial success and social impact, making it an attractive choice for candidates passionate about both business and community engagement.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic roadmap for the brand sales team, including target sectors, key accounts, and tactical plans for achieving OKRs.
• Building and maintaining a strong relationship with a major brand or agency, resulting in a long-term partnership that delivers significant value to both parties.
• Successfully closing a high-value, complex deal with a major client or agency, demonstrating strong negotiation skills and a deep understanding of the client's needs and objectives.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, relationship-driven, and results-oriented nature of the Director, Strategic Brand Partnerships role at Grindr.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics, and how this role fits into the broader organization?
• How does Grindr support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the sales organization?
• Can you provide examples of how Grindr's values and work style have contributed to the company's success and growth?
• How does Grindr approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and employee development processes?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to understanding Grindr's mission, values, and culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Grindr careers page.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience, strategic vision, and passion for queer representation.
• Prepare examples of successful partnerships and deals you've closed, demonstrating your ability to build and execute high-impact brand stories.
• Research Grindr's mission, values, and initiatives to show your understanding of and alignment with the company's goals.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role.

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