Staff Strategic Partnerships Manager (Remote, United States)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Staff Strategic Partnerships Manager (Remote, United States)

🔹 Company: The Zebra

🔹 Location: Remote (United States)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Strategic Partnerships, Business Development

🔹 Date Posted: May 22, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Identifying, securing, and scaling high-impact partnerships to drive mutual value for The Zebra and external partners
• Collaborating with internal teams to align partnership strategies with broader business goals
• Cross-functional collaboration with product, legal, finance, and marketing teams
• Proven experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or marketing in fast-paced or high-growth environments
• Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and adaptability

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to work effectively with various teams to achieve common goals.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Source, build, negotiate, and maintain strategic relationships with partners to drive high-quality user traffic to The Zebra

✅ Develop and maintain mastery in positioning the benefits of The Zebra’s product offerings to potential partners

✅ Create and implement a prospecting strategy for growing the strategic partner pipeline

✅ Create and iterate on a process to include the right functional teams in partnership discussions and implementation

✅ Vet new companies through phone calls and face-to-face meetings

✅ Monitor the competitive landscape and share findings with The Zebra’s leadership team and other relevant departments

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or marketing, with a proven track record of building and scaling partnerships.

🎯 Required Qualifications

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

Experience: 5+ years in strategic partnerships, business development, or marketing, ideally in fast-paced or high-growth environments

Required Skills:

• Proven success in building and scaling partnerships
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive outcomes
• Comfortable collaborating with cross-functional teams

Preferred Skills:

• Experience building a strategic partnerships function from the ground up
• Familiarity with the insurance industry

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in strategic partnerships and a proven ability to structure and manage complex, high-value deals.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation and stock option offering
• Health, dental, vision, and disability coverages
• End early Fridays (wrap up work at 2 PM CST on Fridays)
• Sabbatical program for tenured employees
• HSA offering + employer contribution
• Fertility support through Carrot
• $100 monthly wellness perk
• $300 pet reimbursement program
• 401k with match
• Unlimited PTO (paid time off) + flexibility to enjoy it
• Paid parental leave program
• Learning and development opportunities

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility for a hybrid or remote work arrangement

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. The final salary amount will be determined based on a variety of factors, including experience, skills, internal equity, and insights gained throughout the interview process.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Insurance, specifically focused on comparison shopping for auto and home insurance

Company Size: Medium (201-500 employees), which offers a balance between the agility of a startup and the resources of a larger organization

Founded: 2012, with a mission to bring transparency and simplicity to insurance shopping

Company Description:

• Leading independent insurance comparison site in the U.S.
• Real-time quote comparison tool for auto and home insurance
• Dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce

Company Specialties:

• Insurance comparison
• Agency
• Auto insurance
• Home insurance
• Insurtech
• Industry research
• UX

Company Website: The Zebra

ASSUMPTION: The Zebra is a well-established company in the insurtech industry, with a strong focus on innovation and customer experience.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior, with opportunities for growth and leadership

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the VP of Growth, with cross-functional collaboration with various teams

Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with the option to work remotely full-time or in a hybrid arrangement

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to build and lead a team of strategic partnerships managers
• Career progression into senior leadership roles within the growth team or other departments
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, both in terms of career advancement and the impact the candidate can have on the company's success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid or remote, with the option to work from The Zebra's office in Austin, Texas

Office Location(s): 1801 East Sixth Street, #200, Austin, Texas 78702, US

Geographic Context:

• Remote work allows for flexibility and the ability to live anywhere in the United States
• Austin, Texas, is a vibrant and growing city with a strong tech industry
• The Zebra's office is located in the heart of downtown Austin, close to various amenities and attractions

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely

ASSUMPTION: The remote work option provides candidates with the flexibility to live and work from anywhere in the United States, while the Austin office offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone screen to assess communication skills and cultural fit
• Behavioral and situational interviews to evaluate problem-solving skills and experience
• Final interview with the hiring manager to discuss the role and company fit

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and partnership development
• Communication and negotiation skills
• Cross-functional collaboration and project management
• Adaptability and resilience in the face of ambiguity

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or marketing
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your skills and accomplishments in building and scaling partnerships
• Prepare examples of successful partnerships you've secured and the impact they had on the company

ATS Keywords: Strategic partnerships, business development, partnership management, negotiation, cross-functional collaboration, project management, insurance, insurtech, comparison shopping

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and experience in building and scaling partnerships.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable using various tools and technologies to manage partnerships and collaborate with internal teams.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• All Stripes Welcome: Inclusive and diverse workforce
• Transparency: Open communication and information sharing
• Customer Obsessed: Focus on customer needs and preferences
• One Team, One Dream: Collaborative and supportive work environment

Work Style:

• Agile and adaptable, with a focus on continuous improvement
• Data-driven decision-making and continuous learning
• Collaborative and supportive, with a focus on team success

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody the value of 'All Stripes Welcome' in your work and personal life?
• Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment or priorities. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
• How do you approach building and maintaining strong, productive relationships with partners and internal teams?

ASSUMPTION: The Zebra values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, and seeks candidates who align with these principles.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple partnerships and priorities simultaneously
• Navigating a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment
• Balancing the needs and expectations of external partners with internal stakeholders
• Adapting to new tools, technologies, or processes as the company grows and evolves

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, and have strong time management and prioritization skills.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on strategic partnerships within the insurtech industry
• Similar roles in other industries may have different partnership dynamics and competitive landscapes
• Career progression in this role may differ from traditional business development or marketing paths

ASSUMPTION: The unique aspects of this role require a strategic and adaptable mindset, as well as a strong understanding of the insurtech industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic partnership plan to drive user growth and revenue for The Zebra
• Negotiating and structuring complex partnership deals that create value for both The Zebra and external partners
• Managing and growing an existing portfolio of strategic partnerships, optimizing for performance and long-term success

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working on similar projects and driving measurable results.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does The Zebra support the growth and development of its strategic partnerships team?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does The Zebra measure the success of its strategic partnerships, and how will my performance be evaluated?
• What opportunities are there for career growth and advancement within the growth team or other departments?
• How does The Zebra foster a culture of inclusion and diversity, and what resources are available to support employees from underrepresented backgrounds?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to success.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through The Zebra's careers page
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or marketing
• Prepare examples of successful partnerships you've secured and the impact they had on the company
• 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.