📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Partnerships Manager, Strategic Alliances
🔹 Company: Instacart
🔹 Location: United States - Remote
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Business Development
🔹 Date Posted: May 12, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and managing strategic partnerships with industry players
- Negotiating and executing groundbreaking deals
- Cross-functional collaboration across Instacart's ecosystem
- Driving measurable results and operational oversight for partnerships
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, negotiation skills, and the ability to work effectively with various internal and external stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Design, evaluate, pursue, and scale new first-of-a-kind partnerships with various industry players
✅ Develop partnership strategies that include multiple impactful and interrelated workstreams across multiple Instacart business areas
✅ Own a portfolio of partners end-to-end, including delivering on core partnership objectives, operational oversight, escalation management, and identifying new opportunities
✅ Own the relationship with partners and maintain senior executive-level contacts
✅ Drive internal and external business reviews with partners to ensure the delivery of high impact results
✅ Play a key role as a strategic business thought partner to initiative leads, product/engineering teams, and other cross-functional organizations, helping them define and refine dynamic product goals
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to thrive in an environment where there may not be a clear template or playbook for success.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (MBA preferred but not required)
Experience: 10+ years of business development or partnerships experience in tech, media, or related industries
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in leading product partnerships or corporate development for a product area
- Track record in managing complex partners at senior executive levels
- Strong analytical skills and strategic acumen
- Demonstrated hands-on execution abilities
- Passion for technology, retail, food, and/or grocery
Preferred Skills:
- Loves fast-paced environments
- Curious and willing to go above and beyond
- Thrives in ambiguity and can chart a course with limited direction
ASSUMPTION: Given the nature of the role, candidates should have a strong background in business development, partnerships, and strategic thinking, with a proven track record of success in similar positions.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $157,000 - $210,000 USD per year, depending on the candidate's permanent work location (see breakdown below)
- CA, NY, CT, NJ: $189,000 - $210,000 USD
- WA: $182,000 - $202,000 USD
- OR, DE, ME, MA, MD, NH, RI, VT, DC, PA, VA, CO, TX, IL, HI: $174,000 - $193,000 USD
- All other states: $157,000 - $174,000 USD
Benefits:
- Stock Options
- Equity
- Market-Competitive Compensation
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on Instacart's market-competitive compensation structure and may vary depending on the candidate's location and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Instacart operates in the grocery technology sector, working with retailers to facilitate online shopping, delivery, and pickup services. The company partners with over 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners, serving more than 85,000 stores across North America.
Company Size: Instacart has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Instacart was founded in 2012 and has since grown to become a leading player in the grocery technology industry.
Company Description:
- Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, working with grocers and retailers to transform how people shop
- The company partners with more than 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery, and pickup services from more than 85,000 stores across North America on the Instacart Marketplace
- Instacart makes it possible for millions of people to get the groceries they need from the retailers they love, and for approximately 600,000 Instacart shoppers to earn by picking, packing, and delivering orders on their own flexible schedule
Company Specialties:
- Grocery Delivery and Online Grocery
- Grocery Technology
- E-commerce Platform
Company Website: www.instacart.com
ASSUMPTION: Instacart's focus on innovation and growth provides an exciting environment for professionals looking to make a significant impact in the e-commerce and grocery technology sectors.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior manager level, requiring a high degree of strategic thinking, negotiation, and leadership skills.
Reporting Structure: The Partnerships Manager will report directly to the Head of Strategic Alliances and work cross-functionally with various teams across Instacart's ecosystem.
Work Arrangement: This role is remote-friendly, offering flexibility for candidates who prefer to work from home or a co-working space.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand the portfolio of partnerships and take on additional responsibilities as the role evolves
- Opportunities to collaborate with and learn from experienced professionals across various teams within Instacart
- Possibility to transition into a leadership role as the company continues to grow and expand its partnerships
ASSUMPTION: Given Instacart's rapid growth and expansion, there are ample opportunities for career growth and development within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Instacart has offices in San Francisco, CA, and Toronto, ON, but this role is remote-friendly, allowing for flexibility in work location.
Office Location(s): Blue Shield of California Building, 50 Beale St #600, San Francisco, CA 94105, US; 190 Liberty St, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario M6K 3L5, CA
Geographic Context:
- The United States is the primary market for Instacart, with a significant presence in major metropolitan areas
- Instacart's remote-friendly work environment allows for flexibility in work location, with opportunities to collaborate with team members across various time zones
- The company's focus on grocery technology provides unique insights into the evolving retail and e-commerce landscapes
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility for remote work and a focus on results-driven productivity
ASSUMPTION: Instacart's remote-friendly work environment offers candidates the opportunity to balance work and personal life, while still collaborating effectively with team members across the organization.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screen with a member of the talent acquisition team
- Behavioral and situational interviews with cross-functional stakeholders
- Final interview with the hiring manager and/or other senior leaders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Negotiation and communication abilities
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Cultural fit and alignment with Instacart's values and mission
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and accomplishments
- Research Instacart's company culture and values to ensure a strong cultural fit
ATS Keywords: Strategic Alliances, Partnerships, Business Development, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Negotiation, Strategic Thinking, Analytical Skills, Relationship Management, Operational Oversight, Product Partnerships, Corporate Development, Execution Abilities, Entrepreneurial Acumen, Innovation, Cost Efficiencies, Growth Opportunities, Communication
ASSUMPTION: Instacart's interview process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, negotiation skills, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for the role and the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
ASSUMPTION: While specific tools and technologies may vary depending on the role and team, candidates should be comfortable working with common business software and project management tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer Obsessed
- Inventive
- Tenacious
- Inclusive
- Humble
Work Style:
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Results-driven and focused on execution
- Adaptable and comfortable with change
- Entrepreneurial and innovative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with partners and stakeholders?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to navigate ambiguity or uncertainty to achieve a successful outcome?
- How do you balance the need for strategic thinking with the ability to execute and deliver results?
ASSUMPTION: Instacart values candidates who are customer-obsessed, inventive, tenacious, inclusive, and humble, with a strong work ethic and a results-driven mindset.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing complex partnerships with senior executive-level contacts may require significant time and effort
- Navigating a fast-paced and ever-evolving work environment may present challenges for candidates who prefer a more structured or predictable work environment
- Working remotely may require strong self-motivation and time management skills
- Instacart's focus on growth and expansion may lead to frequent changes and adjustments in the role and responsibilities
ASSUMPTION: While Instacart offers numerous opportunities for growth and development, candidates should be prepared to navigate the challenges that come with working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other partnership roles, this position focuses more on strategic thinking, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration, with less emphasis on day-to-day operational tasks
- Instacart's focus on grocery technology and e-commerce provides unique insights and opportunities compared to more traditional retail or technology roles
- Career paths in partnership roles can vary depending on the industry and organization, with opportunities for growth and development in various directions
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role and how it aligns with their career goals and interests when comparing it to similar positions in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic partnership with a major retailer to expand Instacart's grocery delivery services in a new market
- Negotiating and implementing a cross-promotional agreement with a complementary technology company to enhance the Instacart customer experience
- Managing a portfolio of partnerships with industry players, ensuring operational oversight and driving measurable results
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and cross-functional nature of the Partnerships Manager, Strategic Alliances role, with a focus on driving growth and expansion for Instacart.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics for the Strategic Alliances Partnerships team?
- How does Instacart support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in partnership roles?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Instacart measure the success of its partnerships, and how will my performance be evaluated in this role?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in a remote-friendly environment, and how does Instacart support its remote employees?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the organization's culture and priorities.
📌 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 by reflecting on your past experiences and accomplishments
- Research Instacart's company culture and values to ensure a strong cultural fit
- Follow up with the hiring manager or talent acquisition team 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.
