Senior Associate, Ad Platform Product Partnerships

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Associate, Ad Platform Product Partnerships

🔹 Company: Instacart

🔹 Location: United States - Remote

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Software Development

🔹 Date Posted: May 12, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and scaling innovative partnerships with major advertising platforms
• Driving advertising revenue growth through strategic partnerships
• Collaborating cross-functionally to turn strategic visions into actionable results
• Managing high-level partner relationships and leading business reviews

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of business development experience and a deep understanding of major advertising platforms. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of driving growth through partnerships and be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Design, pursue, and scale first-of-a-kind partnerships with major advertising platforms

✅ Develop partnership strategies for new advertising initiatives, with a key focus on retail media and off-site ads

✅ Manage a portfolio of partners end-to-end, including identifying opportunities, negotiating terms, signing agreements, and overseeing successful launches

✅ Own senior-level partner relationships, ensuring alignment and driving impactful collaboration

✅ Lead business reviews with partners while delivering measurable results

✅ Work as a strategic thought partner to internal teams across Product, Engineering, Sales, and more, providing insights to set clear product goals and roadmap priorities

ASSUMPTION: The responsibilities listed above are subject to change based on business needs and may evolve over time. The ideal candidate will be adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity.

🎯 Required Qualifications

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

Experience: 7+ years of business development and/or partnerships experience with major advertising platforms

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to ramp up quickly in new domains and craft effective strategies
• Strong analytical abilities paired with high-level strategic thinking
• Demonstrated track record of hands-on execution
• Established relationships at Google, Meta, Pinterest, TikTok, and/or Snap

Preferred Skills:

• Background in Retail, Grocery, or E-commerce industries
• Thrives in a dynamic, fast-moving work environment
• Proactive and curious, willing to explore beyond conventional solutions
• Well-equipped to navigate ambiguity and chart direction with limited guidance
• MBA degree preferred but not required

ASSUMPTION: While an MBA is not required, it may be beneficial for candidates looking to advance their careers in business development or management roles.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $131,000 - $175,000 USD per year (varies by location)

Benefits:

• Stock Options
• Equity

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as location, experience, and performance.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Instacart operates in the Software Development industry, focusing on grocery technology and online shopping platforms. The company partners with over 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery, and pickup services.

Company Size: Instacart has 1,001-5,000 employees, making it a mid-sized company. This size allows for ample opportunities for growth and collaboration while maintaining a startup-like culture.

Founded: Instacart was founded in 2012 and has since grown to become the leading grocery technology company in North America.

Company Description:

• Instacart partners with retailers to transform how people shop for groceries
• The company's platform offers a suite of enterprise-grade technology products and services
• Instacart Ads connects CPG brands directly with consumers online, right at the point of purchase
• Instacart Health provides tools to increase nutrition security and improve health outcomes

Company Specialties:

• Grocery Delivery and online grocery

Company Website: www.instacart.com

ASSUMPTION: Instacart's focus on innovation and growth makes it an attractive company for candidates looking to make a significant impact in the e-commerce industry.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior associate level, indicating that the ideal candidate will have several years of experience in business development and partnerships.

Reporting Structure: The senior associate will report directly to the manager of Ad Platform Product Partnerships and work closely with various internal teams, including Product, Engineering, Legal, Marketing, and Sales.

Work Arrangement: This role is remote-friendly, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. However, the ideal candidate should be comfortable working independently and managing their time effectively.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to a manager or director role within the Ad Platform Product Partnerships team
• Expansion into other areas of the business, such as product management or business strategy
• Potential to work on high-impact projects that drive significant growth for the company

ASSUMPTION: Instacart's fast-paced growth and dynamic work environment provide ample opportunities for career advancement and professional development.

🌍 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 arrangements.

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 strong focus on the grocery and e-commerce industries
• The company partners with over 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners across North America
• Instacart's remote-friendly work environment allows for flexibility in location and work arrangements

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

ASSUMPTION: The remote-friendly work environment at Instacart allows for a better work-life balance and the ability to attract top talent from across the country.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
• Behavioral and situational interview with the hiring manager
• Technical assessment or case study (if applicable)
• Final interview with key stakeholders

Key Assessment Areas:

• Problem-solving skills and ability to think critically
• Strategic thinking and ability to develop innovative partnership strategies
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Proven track record of driving growth through partnerships

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience and achievements in business development and partnerships
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your fit for the role and company culture
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and accomplishments

ATS Keywords: Business Development, Partnerships, Advertising Platforms, Retail Media, Off-Site Ads, Strategic Thinking, Analytical Skills, Execution, Entrepreneurial Mindset, E-commerce, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Problem Solving, Innovation

ASSUMPTION: Instacart's interview process is designed to assess the candidate's skills, experience, and cultural fit for the role and company. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to drive growth through partnerships and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable using a variety of tools and technologies to manage their workload and collaborate with internal teams.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer Obsessed: We put customers first and strive to understand their needs
• Inclusive: We foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected
• Bold: We take calculated risks and challenge the status quo

Work Style:

• Collaborative: We work together to achieve our goals and support each other's success
• Adaptable: We embrace change and continuously learn and improve
• Results-Driven: We focus on delivering meaningful results and making an impact

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach understanding and addressing the needs of diverse customer groups?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you took a calculated risk and how it contributed to your success?
• How do you prioritize and manage your time effectively in a remote work environment?

ASSUMPTION: Instacart's company values and work style emphasize the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and results-driven behavior. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their alignment with these values and work style preferences.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple partnerships and ensuring alignment with Instacart's strategic priorities
• Navigating the dynamic and fast-paced nature of the advertising industry
• Balancing the need for innovation with the requirement to deliver measurable results
• Working effectively in a remote-friendly work environment

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and be able to balance the need for innovation with the requirement to deliver measurable results.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on driving growth through partnerships with major advertising platforms in the grocery and e-commerce industries
• Similar roles may include Business Development Manager, Strategic Partnerships Manager, or Advertising Partnerships Manager, but this role is more senior and specialized
• Career progression in this role may lead to advancement to a manager or director role within the Ad Platform Product Partnerships team or expansion into other areas of the business

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on driving growth through partnerships with major advertising platforms in the grocery and e-commerce industries. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of success in a similar role and be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic partnership plan with Google to drive advertising revenue growth for Instacart
• Negotiating terms and signing agreements with major advertising platforms to expand Instacart's advertising capabilities
• Managing a portfolio of partners, including identifying opportunities, overseeing successful launches, and leading business reviews to ensure impactful collaboration

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working on similar projects and be able to demonstrate their ability to drive growth through partnerships.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within the Ad Platform Product Partnerships team?
• How does Instacart support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in this role?
• 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 this role contribute to that success?
• What are the key challenges facing the Ad Platform Product Partnerships team, and how can this role help address them?

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be curious and proactive in asking questions to better understand the role, team, and company dynamics.

📌 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 values and be prepared to discuss how you align with them
• 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.