📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Partnerships Lead
🔹 Company: you.com
🔹 Location: San Francisco, CA (Remote)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Business Development
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-28
🔹 Experience Level: 7+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote (with hubs in San Francisco and New York City)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Proactively identifying, qualifying, and engaging potential SaaS partners
- Developing outbound strategies and marketing materials to attract new partners
- Owning the full partnership lifecycle, from initial outreach to negotiation and onboarding
- Collaborating with internal teams to ensure alignment and maximize partnership impact
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic, technically savvy business developer with a proven track record in partnerships within a B2B SaaS environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Proactively identify, qualify, and engage potential SaaS partners to build a robust pipeline of partnership opportunities
✅ Develop outbound strategies and marketing materials to attract new partners and drive engagement
✅ Own the full partnership lifecycle, from initial outreach and discovery to negotiation and onboarding
✅ Understand how SaaS companies operate, including their sales cycles, go-to-market strategies, and integration needs
✅ Develop and execute creative strategies to penetrate target SaaS businesses, tailoring value propositions to their unique challenges and objectives
✅ Collaborate with internal teams (sales, marketing, product, engineering) to ensure alignment and maximize partnership impact
✅ Serve as a technical liaison, confidently discussing our API and PRAG offerings with both technical and business stakeholders at partner organizations
✅ Translate complex technical concepts into clear business value, enabling partners to understand integration possibilities and co-innovation opportunities
✅ Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key partner contacts, acting as their primary point of contact
✅ Enable partners through training, co-marketing initiatives, and ongoing support to ensure mutual success
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong organizational skills, data-driven decision-making, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 7+ years in partnerships, business development, or a related role within a B2B SaaS environment, with a proven track record of building and scaling successful partnerships
Required Skills:
- Proven ability to generate and manage a high-quality partnership pipeline and drive measurable business outcomes
- Strong understanding of SaaS architectures, APIs, and AI-driven solutions; able to engage in technical discussions and solutioning with partner teams
- Experience working with technology partners, particularly in integration-heavy or AI-focused environments
- Deep knowledge of SaaS business models, sales cycles, and partner ecosystems
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills; able to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Strategic thinker with a hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset
- Highly organized, data-driven, and comfortable working autonomously in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with enterprise AI productivity platforms
- Familiarity with real-time web search, private RAG, and modular, model-agnostic architecture
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in English is likely required for this role due to the need to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $165,000 - $225,000 USD per year
Benefits:
- Hubs in San Francisco and New York City offering regular in-person gatherings and co-working sessions
- Flexible PTO with 11 U.S. holidays observed and a week shutdown in December to rest and recharge
- A competitive health insurance plan covers 100% of the policyholder and 75% for dependents
- 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the US
- 401k program, 3% match - vested immediately
- $500 work-from-home stipend to be used up to a year of your start date
- $1,200 per year Health & Wellness Allowance to support your personal goals
- Chance to collaborate with a team at the forefront of AI research
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the company's stated salary bands and is inclusive of the range provided in the job description. The benefits listed are for full-time employees and may not apply to all job candidates.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Software Development
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Founded: 2023 (based on LinkedIn profile)
Company Description:
- you.com is an enterprise AI productivity platform redefining knowledge work with trusted, customizable AI agents
- Combines real-time web search, private RAG, and modular, model-agnostic architecture to power agentic workflows
- Delivers measurable business results and empowers users with personalized, efficient, and trustworthy search experiences
Company Specialties:
- AI-powered search and productivity platform
- Enterprise AI solutions
- Customizable AI agents
Company Website: you.com
ASSUMPTION: you.com is a fast-growing startup focused on leveraging AI to enhance productivity and knowledge work. They prioritize user-first principles and aim to create the most helpful search engine in the world.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior (individual contributor)
Reporting Structure: This role does not have direct reports, but collaboration with internal teams is essential
Work Arrangement: Remote with hubs in San Francisco and New York City (regular in-person gatherings and co-working sessions)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow within the partnerships team or explore other business development roles as the company expands
- Opportunity to work with a team at the forefront of AI research and contribute to cutting-edge projects
- Chance to develop leadership skills by mentoring junior team members or managing interns
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential as the company continues to grow and expand its partnerships. Additionally, the opportunity to work with leading AI researchers may provide valuable learning experiences.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hubs in San Francisco and New York City (with regular in-person gatherings and co-working sessions)
Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA; New York City, NY
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco: Known for its vibrant tech industry, diverse culture, and mild Mediterranean climate
- New York City: A global hub for finance, media, and technology, offering a fast-paced, multicultural environment
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible PTO and a week shutdown in December
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at you.com is likely fast-paced, collaborative, and focused on innovation. The company offers a flexible work arrangement that balances remote work with in-person collaboration.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- Technical assessment or case study presentation
- Final round interviews with cross-functional stakeholders
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical competency in SaaS business models, sales cycles, and integration needs
- Communication and presentation skills
- Problem-solving and strategic thinking
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Highlight your proven track record of building and scaling successful partnerships in your resume and cover letter
- Demonstrate your understanding of SaaS architectures, APIs, and AI-driven solutions in your application materials
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions focused on your partnership experience and problem-solving skills
- Research the company's mission, values, and AI-powered search platform to show your enthusiasm and alignment with their goals
ATS Keywords: Partnerships, Business Development, SaaS, API, AI Solutions, Communication, Negotiation, Presentation, Strategic Thinking, Entrepreneurial Mindset, SaaS Business Models, Sales Cycles, Integration
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, given the company's growth and the seniority of the position. Applicants should emphasize their relevant experience, technical skills, and cultural fit to increase their chances of success.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
- AI-powered search and productivity platform (you.com)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are likely to be standard for business development and partnerships positions within the tech industry.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- User-first principles
- Transparency and privacy
- Innovation and continuous learning
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and results-focused
- Adaptable and open to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, and are you comfortable working autonomously?
- Are you passionate about user-first principles and committed to delivering personalized, efficient, and trustworthy search experiences?
- Do you have strong communication and negotiation skills, and are you able to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate for this role will be a strategic, technically savvy business developer with a proven track record in partnerships within a B2B SaaS environment. They should be comfortable working autonomously in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and be able to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high volume of partnerships and ensuring the quality of the pipeline
- Balancing remote work with in-person collaboration and maintaining strong relationships with key partner contacts
- Keeping up with the fast-paced, ever-evolving AI landscape and adapting partnership strategies accordingly
- Navigating the complex sales cycles and integration needs of SaaS companies
ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges for this role are likely to be related to the fast-paced, high-growth nature of the company and the dynamic AI landscape. Applicants should be prepared to work effectively in a rapidly changing environment and be comfortable managing a high volume of partnerships.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on partnerships within the AI-powered search and productivity platform space, but it shares similarities with other senior business development and partnerships positions in the tech industry
- Compared to other AI-focused roles, this position requires a strong understanding of SaaS business models, sales cycles, and integration needs, as well as the ability to engage in technical discussions with partner teams
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into leadership positions within the partnerships team or exploring other business development opportunities as the company expands
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other senior business development and partnerships positions, its focus on AI-powered search and productivity platforms makes it unique. Applicants should be prepared to leverage their relevant experience and adapt their skills to this specific industry context.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic partnership plan to onboard a major SaaS player, including tailored value propositions, integration roadmaps, and co-marketing initiatives
- Building and maintaining a high-quality partnership pipeline by proactively identifying, qualifying, and engaging potential SaaS partners, and tracking progress using a CRM system
- Collaborating with internal teams (sales, marketing, product, engineering) to ensure alignment and maximize partnership impact, such as co-creating marketing materials or participating in joint product development efforts
ASSUMPTION: The sample projects for this role are likely to involve strategic planning, relationship building, and cross-functional collaboration. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their experience with similar projects and their ability to adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by AI-powered search and productivity platforms.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the company's long-term vision for its AI-powered search and productivity platform, and how this role contributes to that vision?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its partnerships team members?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days, and how will success be measured?
- How does the company approach collaboration and knowledge sharing with external partners, and what resources are available to support partners' success?
- What are the most rewarding aspects of working in the partnerships team at you.com, and what challenges does the team face that make the role unique?
ASSUMPTION: The key questions to ask during the interview for this role should focus on the company's long-term vision, professional development opportunities, and the unique challenges and rewards of working in the partnerships team. Applicants should also be prepared to ask questions that demonstrate their understanding of the role and their enthusiasm for the company's mission.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Highlight your proven track record of building and scaling successful partnerships in your resume and cover letter
- Demonstrate your understanding of SaaS architectures, APIs, and AI-driven solutions in your application materials
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions focused on your partnership experience and problem-solving skills
- Research the company's mission, values, and AI-powered search platform to show your enthusiasm and alignment with their goals
- 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.
