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Product Partnerships Manager

Middesk
Full-time
On-site
San Francisco, California, United States
🌐 Digital Marketing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Product Partnerships Manager

πŸ”Ή Company: Middesk

πŸ”Ή Location: San Francisco, California, United States (Hybrid: 2 days per week in office)

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full-time

πŸ”Ή Category: Technology, Information and Internet

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: May 12, 2025

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 2-5 years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Supporting Middesk's growth by building differentiated products through strategic partnerships
  • Leading vendor evaluations and managing existing product partners
  • Gathering market intel and identifying opportunities to stay ahead of the competition
  • Collaborating cross-functionally with Product, Operations, and Go-to-Market teams

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex partnerships.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Lead new vendor evaluations and support build vs. buy decisions

βœ… Manage a portfolio of existing product partners/vendors

βœ… Gather market intel and identify opportunities

βœ… Collaborate with internal teams to define strategy and evaluate, implement, and manage external vendors or data solutions

βœ… Lead commercial and contract negotiations for partnerships and vendor relationships

βœ… Provide input on product positioning and collaborate with Product Marketing to enable internal teams

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, relationship management, and cross-functional collaboration.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Marketing, or a related discipline)

Experience: 3+ years in Product Partnerships, Product Management, Strategic Partnerships, or Strategy in a B2B or data-driven environment

Required Skills:

  • Proven experience working directly with product teams to define strategy and evaluate, implement, and manage external vendors or data solutions
  • Strong business acumen and comfort navigating commercial agreements, vendor evaluations, and build vs. buy decisions
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly distill value to different parties and influence internal and external stakeholders
  • Customer-oriented mindset, with the ability to understand and anticipate needs and define product strategies and solutions to meet them
  • Cross-functional mindset, with experience working across Product, Engineering, GTM, and Operations teams

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in the business identity, compliance, or data infrastructure space
  • Familiarity with competitive landscapes and emerging trends in relevant markets
  • Ability to synthesize competitive intel and inform product strategy

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in relevant fields and a strong understanding of product strategy and vendor management will be most successful in this role.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on experience and industry standards for the role and location)

Benefits:

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Flexible time off
  • Parental leave
  • Professional development opportunities

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility for remote work

ASSUMPTION: Salary range is estimated based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and skills.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Technology, Information and Internet

Company Size: 51-200 employees (Mid-size company: Applicants can expect a structured yet flexible work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration)

Founded: 2019 (Middesk is a relatively young company with a strong focus on innovation and growth)

Company Description:

  • Middesk makes it easier for businesses to work together by transforming business identity verification
  • Offers a platform that helps companies across industries confidently verify business identities, onboard customers faster, and reduce risk
  • Backed by Sequoia Capital and Accel Partners, and named to Forbes Fintech 50 List and cited as an industry leader in business verification by Liminal

Company Specialties:

  • Business identity verification
  • Customer onboarding
  • Risk reduction

Company Website: https://www.middesk.com/

ASSUMPTION: Middesk is a growing company with a strong focus on innovation and customer success. Applicants should be comfortable in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level (This role offers opportunities for growth and career advancement within the company)

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Product and collaborates with cross-functional teams, including Product, Operations, and Go-to-Market

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2 days per week in the office, with flexibility for remote work)

Growth Opportunities:

  • Potential to take on more responsibilities and advance within the Product team
  • Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and drive meaningful change
  • Chance to learn from and collaborate with experienced professionals in the field

ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong growth potential for candidates looking to make a significant impact and advance their careers within the company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office spaces in San Francisco and New York

Office Location(s): 85 2nd St, Suite 710, San Francisco, California 94105, US and 85 Broad St, New York, NY 10004, US

Geographic Context:

  • San Francisco: A vibrant tech hub with a diverse range of industries and a strong startup culture
  • New York: A global financial center with a dynamic business ecosystem

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility for remote work

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable working in a hybrid environment and be able to commute to the office 2 days per week.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition team
  • Behavioral and technical interviews with cross-functional team members
  • Final interview with the Head of Product
  • Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
  • Communication and collaboration skills
  • Understanding of relevant markets and competitive landscapes
  • Ability to navigate complex partnerships and vendor relationships

Application Tips:

  • Highlight relevant experience and achievements in product partnerships, product management, or strategic partnerships
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences that match the required qualifications
  • Prepare for behavioral and technical interview questions by reflecting on past experiences and thinking through potential challenges in the role

ATS Keywords: Product Partnerships, Product Management, Strategic Partnerships, Vendor Evaluations, Commercial Negotiations, Product Positioning, Market Understanding, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer Orientation, Business Acumen, Communication Skills

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should tailor their application materials to highlight relevant skills and experiences and prepare for interviews by researching the company and role.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, or Trello)
  • Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Workspace)
  • Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, or Tableau)

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable using common project management, communication, and data analysis tools.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Customer-focused
  • Innovative
  • Collaborative
  • Adaptable
  • Trustworthy

Work Style:

  • Data-driven and analytical
  • Collaborative and cross-functional
  • Adaptable and responsive to change
  • Results-oriented and action-driven

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and are you comfortable navigating ambiguity?
  • Are you able to balance strategic thinking with strong communication and collaboration skills?
  • Do you have a customer-oriented mindset, and are you able to understand and anticipate their needs?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with Middesk's company values and work style to ensure a successful and fulfilling experience in the role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Managing multiple vendor relationships and priorities
  • Balancing short-term wins with long-term strategic goals
  • Navigating complex commercial agreements and contract negotiations
  • Keeping up with emerging trends and competitive landscapes in relevant markets

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to tackle these challenges and demonstrate their ability to do so in the interview process.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • Unlike traditional product management roles, this position focuses more on external partnerships and vendor management
  • This role requires a strong understanding of relevant markets and competitive landscapes, as well as the ability to synthesize competitive intel
  • Career progression in this role may lead to senior product management or strategic partnership roles within the company

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should understand the unique aspects of this role and how it compares to similar positions in the industry.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Conducting a comprehensive evaluation of potential vendors for a new product feature or service
  • Negotiating a strategic partnership agreement with a key player in the market
  • Developing and implementing a vendor management framework to ensure optimal performance and alignment with product needs

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they approached them.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • Can you describe the current vendor landscape and how this role will help shape our product strategy?
  • How does this role collaborate with other teams, such as Product, Operations, and Go-to-Market, to define strategy and evaluate, implement, and manage external vendors or data solutions?
  • What are the most significant challenges facing the company in the next 12-24 months, and how does this role help address them?
  • How does Middesk support the professional growth and development of its employees in this role?
  • What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the company.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through this link
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences, such as product partnerships, product management, or strategic partnerships
  • Prepare for behavioral and technical interview questions by reflecting on past experiences and thinking through potential challenges in the role
  • Follow up with the Talent Acquisition team 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.