📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Head of Partnerships
🔹 Company: Loft Labs, Inc.
🔹 Location: New York City, New York, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Software Development
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-06-25
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic partnerships with data center infrastructure vendors, cloud providers, and Kubernetes-focused startups
- Building joint value propositions and technical integrations
- Ownership of relationship development and growth
- Collaboration with partners on marketing and sales efforts
- Staying close to the Kubernetes/CNCF/Infrastructure ecosystem
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of both technical and business aspects of partnerships, as well as experience in building and managing strategic relationships.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead Strategic Partnerships: Identify, initiate, and manage partnerships with data center infrastructure vendors, cloud providers, Kubernetes-focused startups, and major CNCF projects to drive product adoption and ecosystem growth.
✅ Build Joint Value Propositions: Co-design technical integrations, reference architectures, solution bundles, or go-to-market campaigns that demonstrate vCluster's value in real-world use cases.
✅ Own Relationship Development: From first outreach to signed OEM agreements, including long-term growth of the relationship and everything that contributes to mutual success—marketing, sales, engineering, and executive touchpoints included.
✅ Drive Awareness Through Collaboration: Collaborate with partners on blog posts, webinars, case studies, conference talks, and joint events to showcase what we’re doing together.
✅ Work Cross-Functionally: Partner with Product to explore technical integrations, with Marketing to amplify joint efforts, and with Sales to unlock channel or co-selling opportunities.
✅ Stay Close to the Ecosystem: You’ll be deeply plugged into what’s happening in the Kubernetes/CNCF/Infrastructure space, always looking for the next breakout tool, emerging trend, or commercial synergy.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive and hands-on approach, with the ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or a related role within the cloud-native or infrastructure space
Required Skills:
- Expertise in the Kubernetes ecosystem and CNCF landscape
- Strong technical and business acumen
- Proven track record in building and managing strategic partnerships
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
Preferred Skills:
- Existing relationships with Kubernetes ecosystem leaders at major hardware and cloud providers
- Experience in channel/solution sales, tech alliances, or field/partner marketing
- Background in infrastructure tools, platform engineering, and open source business models
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a well-rounded candidate with a strong technical background and proven business development experience within the cloud-native or infrastructure space.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $160,000 - $200,000 per year (based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience in the New York City area)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and equity
- Platinum-level health, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Flexible working schedule
- Workplace flexibility
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience in the New York City area. Benefits are subject to change and may vary depending on the candidate's location and employment status.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Software Development, specifically focused on Kubernetes and cloud-native technologies
Company Size: 11-50 employees (Small to Medium-sized company, allowing for more direct impact and growth opportunities)
Founded: 2020 (Relatively new company with a fast-paced, startup-like environment)
Company Description:
- Loft Labs is a venture-backed tech startup focused on enabling platform engineers
- The company is behind vCluster, an open-source technology for virtualizing Kubernetes
- Loft Labs has a remote-first work culture with headquarters in San Francisco
Company Specialties:
- Kubernetes
- vCluster
- DevPod
- JsPolicy
- Cloud-Native Technologies
- Multi-tenancy
- Platform Engineering
- Cloud Cost
- Virtual clusters
- FinOps
- Developer Self-Service
Company Website: loft.sh
ASSUMPTION: Loft Labs is a fast-growing startup with a strong focus on open-source technologies and a remote-first work culture.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid to Senior-level role with significant impact and growth opportunities
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the CEO and works cross-functionally with Product, Marketing, and Sales teams
Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with a flexible working schedule and workplace flexibility
Growth Opportunities:
- As a small company, Loft Labs offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate
- This role has the potential to grow into a VP or C-level position as the company expands
- The company is open to internal transfers and promotions based on performance and fit
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential and the opportunity to make a substantial impact on the company's success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote-first company with a headquarters in San Francisco
Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, United States
Geographic Context:
- New York City is a major tech hub with a large talent pool and numerous networking opportunities
- The city offers a diverse range of cultural, entertainment, and dining options
- New York City has a competitive job market, with many tech companies and startups based in the area
Work Schedule: Flexible working schedule with the option to work from home or in the office
ASSUMPTION: The remote-first work environment offers candidates the flexibility to work from anywhere, with the option to collaborate in person at the company's headquarters or other offices as needed.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- Technical interview with relevant team members
- Final interview with the CEO
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical expertise in the Kubernetes ecosystem
- Business acumen and negotiation skills
- Strategic thinking and partnership-building abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Loft Labs' values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements in strategic partnerships and business development
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your technical expertise and business acumen
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your partnership-building and negotiation skills
ATS Keywords: Kubernetes, Partnerships, Business Development, Cloud-Native, Infrastructure, Strategic, Negotiation, Open Source, CNCF, Ecosystem
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's technical expertise, business acumen, and cultural fit for the role and company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Kubernetes
- vCluster
- GitHub
- Slack
- Zoom
- Google Workspace
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of Kubernetes and familiarity with relevant open-source tools and technologies.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Technical Excellence
- Customer Obsession
- Impressive Speed
- Bold Innovation
- Open Source & Open Mind
Work Style:
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Fast-paced and agile
- Remote-first and flexible
- Focused on results and impact
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong understanding of the Kubernetes ecosystem and relevant open-source technologies?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, startup-like environment with a remote-first work culture?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, cross-functional work environment and enjoy working with diverse teams?
ASSUMPTION: Loft Labs values candidates who are passionate about technology, customer-focused, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, remote-first environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working remotely may require strong self-motivation and time management skills
- Managing partnerships with large corporations and vendors may involve complex negotiations and long sales cycles
- Keeping up with the fast-panging Kubernetes ecosystem and emerging trends may require continuous learning and adaptation
- Balancing multiple partnerships and projects simultaneously may be challenging at times
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require a proactive, adaptable, and well-organized candidate.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other partnership roles in the tech industry, this role offers a unique blend of technical and business responsibilities
- Loft Labs' focus on open-source technologies and a remote-first work culture sets it apart from more traditional companies
- This role offers significant growth potential and the opportunity to make a substantial impact on the company's success
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its blend of technical and business responsibilities, as well as its focus on open-source technologies and a remote-first work culture.
📝 Sample Projects
- Negotiating a strategic partnership with a major cloud provider to drive vCluster adoption and integration
- Collaborating with a Kubernetes-focused startup to develop a joint go-to-market campaign and technical integration
- Working with a data center infrastructure vendor to create a reference architecture and solution bundle for vCluster
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and collaborative nature of the role, as well as the opportunity to work with a wide range of partners.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the company's long-term vision for partnerships and ecosystem growth?
- How does the company support the work-life balance of remote employees?
- What are the most pressing challenges facing the partnerships team currently, and how can this role address them?
- How does the company measure the success of its partnerships, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are most important?
- What opportunities are there for growth and professional development within the partnerships team and the company as a whole?
ASSUMPTION: These key questions will help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the opportunities for growth and success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your partnership-building and negotiation skills
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and ask any remaining questions
- If selected for the final round, be prepared to present a strategic partnership plan or other relevant project during your final interview
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
