📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Partnerships Manager
🔹 Company: Forethought
🔹 Location: Remote USA, San Francisco
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Software Development
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-15
🔹 Experience Level: 6-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK (with preference for candidates in Austin, Denver, Portland, Seattle, or Toronto)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Spearheading the partnerships function to turn trusted relationships into a scalable go-to-market channel
- Sourcing, pitching, and closing new partnerships with PE firms, CX consultants, BPOs, and technology partners
- Onboarding and enabling partners with scalable collateral, training, processes, and engagement
- Managing day-to-day partner operations and relationships
- Generating partner-sourced sales opportunities for the sales team to close
- Collaborating with internal teams to activate partnerships
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain relationships with various stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Source, pitch, and close new partnerships with PE firms, CX consultants, BPOs, and technology partners
✅ Onboard and enable partners with scalable collateral, training, processes, and engagement
✅ Manage day-to-day partner operations and relationships (deal flow, follow-ups, tracking)
✅ Generate partner-sourced sales opportunities for the sales team to close
✅ Collaborate with marketing, sales, product, and executives to activate partnerships
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, relationship building, and operational tasks to drive partnership success.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 6-10 years in partnerships, growth, sales, customer success, or product marketing
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of hitting revenue or pipeline targets
- Experience managing cross-functional stakeholder relationships
- Comfortable writing decks, outreach emails, and guides from scratch
Preferred Skills:
- Deep personal relationships and experience working with PE firms, BPOs, or CX consultants
- Background in SaaS, AI, and/or the Customer Experience industries
- Familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM systems for pipeline reporting
- Experience with partner management tools like Crossbeam or PartnerStack
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in partnerships, sales, or customer success are likely to succeed in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Comprehensive benefits including full medical, dental, vision, and more
- Competitive compensation package, including base salary, variable pay tied to performance, and equity
- Access to executive team for strategic support in partnerships
- Collaborative environment working closely with sales, marketing, CX/implementations, and founders
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a Partnerships Manager role with 6-10 years of experience in the Software Development industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Forethought operates in the Software Development industry, specializing in AI-native customer support platforms.
Company Size: Forethought is a mid-sized company with 51-200 employees, providing a collaborative and dynamic work environment.
Founded: Forethought was founded in 2017 and has since grown to become a leading provider of AI-powered customer support solutions.
Company Description:
- Forethought is the first AI-native platform for enterprise customer support, built on a multi-agent architecture for omnichannel resolution
- Trusted by leading companies like Upwork, Grammarly, Airtable, and Datadog
- Recognized by G2 as a High Performer and Mid-Market Leader in Customer Support for 2025
Company Specialties:
- AI-native customer support platform
- Multi-agent architecture for omnichannel resolution
- Customer experience (CX) improvement
- AI-powered automation and troubleshooting
Company Website: http://www.forethought.ai
ASSUMPTION: Forethought's focus on AI and customer support provides opportunities for growth and innovation in the customer experience space.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-career level, requiring a significant amount of experience in partnerships, sales, or a related field.
Reporting Structure: The Partnerships Manager will report directly to the CEO and work closely with various internal teams, including sales, marketing, product, and CX/implementations.
Work Arrangement: This is a remote-first role with a preference for candidates in Austin, Denver, Portland, Seattle, or Toronto.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role as the partnerships function expands
- Opportunity to work closely with executives and founders to drive strategic initiatives
- Chance to gain experience in a fast-growing AI startup and make a significant impact on the company's success
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to expand the partnerships function and take on more responsibility over time.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote-first with a preference for candidates in specific locations
Office Location(s): San Francisco, California (with remote work flexibility)
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco is a major tech hub with a vibrant startup ecosystem
- The Bay Area offers a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and culinary experiences
- The remote work arrangement provides flexibility and the opportunity to work from various locations
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible hours and the ability to work remotely
ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement offers candidates the opportunity to balance work and personal life more effectively, while still being part of a dynamic and collaborative team.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications
- In-depth interview with the CEO to discuss the role, responsibilities, and expectations
- Case study or project presentation to demonstrate problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
- Final interview with key stakeholders to assess fit and make a hiring decision
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and partnership development skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience in partnerships, sales, or customer success
- Demonstrate your understanding of Forethought's business and the AI customer support industry
- Prepare a case study or project presentation that showcases your ability to develop and execute strategic partnerships
ATS Keywords: Partnerships, growth, sales, customer success, product marketing, cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder management, revenue generation, onboarding, training, CRM systems, partner management tools
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and ability to build and maintain relationships with various stakeholders.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Salesforce or other CRM systems for pipeline reporting
- Partner management tools like Crossbeam or PartnerStack
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Jira)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with CRM systems and partner management tools will be beneficial for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Data-driven
Work Style:
- Remote-friendly and flexible work arrangements
- Dynamic and collaborative team environment
- Focus on strategic thinking and problem-solving
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment?
- Are you comfortable working remotely and collaborating with a distributed team?
- Do you have a proven track record of building and maintaining strategic partnerships?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are comfortable working remotely, have strong communication skills, and can thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment are likely to be a good fit for Forethought's culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple partnerships and stakeholders simultaneously
- Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day operational tasks
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment
- Working remotely and collaborating with a distributed team
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, effective time management, and the ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Partnerships Manager vs. Business Development Manager: Both roles focus on building relationships and driving revenue, but the Partnerships Manager role is more focused on strategic partnerships, while the Business Development Manager role may involve a broader range of sales and marketing activities
- Partnerships Manager vs. Customer Success Manager: While both roles involve managing relationships, the Partnerships Manager role focuses on external partners, while the Customer Success Manager role focuses on internal customers (i.e., the company's own clients)
- Partnerships Manager vs. Account Executive: Both roles involve managing relationships and driving revenue, but the Partnerships Manager role is more focused on strategic partnerships, while the Account Executive role may involve a broader range of sales activities and a larger portfolio of clients
ASSUMPTION: The Partnerships Manager role at Forethought is unique in its focus on strategic partnerships and collaboration with internal teams to drive growth and success.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a strategic partnership plan to drive revenue and expand market reach
- Onboarding and enabling a new partner with scalable collateral, training, and processes
- Managing day-to-day partner operations and relationships, including deal flow, follow-ups, and tracking
- Generating partner-sourced sales opportunities and collaborating with the sales team to close deals
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and tasks involved in the Partnerships Manager role at Forethought.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the top priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Forethought support the growth and success of its partnerships?
- What is the company's long-term vision for the partnerships function, and how does this role contribute to that vision?
- How does the Partnerships Manager role collaborate with other internal teams, such as sales, marketing, and product?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will success be measured?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates better understand the role, the company's priorities, and the expectations for success in this position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience in partnerships, sales, or customer success
- Prepare a case study or project presentation that showcases your ability to develop and execute strategic partnerships
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after 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.
