Startup Partnerships

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Startup Partnerships Lead

🔹 Company: ElevenLabs

🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States (with remote flexibility)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Partnerships & Business Development

🔹 Date Posted: May 28, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (with option to work from our new office in San Francisco)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Securing strategic partnerships with key players in the San Francisco ecosystem
• Building and managing the startups program globally
• Activating startups to ElevenLabs and converting them to enterprise contracts
• Community engagement and event management
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive growth and success

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong balance of business development, operational, and community management skills. It's ideal for an ex-founder, VC, or driven operator looking to make a significant impact in a fast-growing company.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead startup partnerships in San Francisco and run the startups program globally

✅ Secure partnerships with key players in the ecosystem, including accelerators, VCs, and companies selling to startups

✅ Build and manage systems to handle thousands of startups going through the program

✅ Recruit and manage partnerships leads across the world

✅ Activate startups to ElevenLabs and convert them appropriately to enterprise contracts

✅ Engage with startups and build deep community relationships online and in-person

✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive growth and success

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of individual contributor (IC) and manager responsibilities, requiring strong leadership, operational, and relationship-building skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

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

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in business development, partnerships, or a related role

Required Skills:

• Excellent relationship-building skills with a strong Bay Area network of VCs and startups
• Technical understanding of APIs and Conversational AI platforms
• Strong operational skills with the ability to build and run systems

Preferred Skills:

• Experience managing a high-performing team
• Previous experience using ElevenLabs products

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in startups, venture capital, or relevant industries are strongly encouraged to apply. Familiarity with the San Francisco ecosystem is a plus.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $180,000 per year (based on experience and industry standards for similar roles in San Francisco)

Benefits:

• Flexible time off
• Co-working stipend (if not located near a main hub)
• Annual discretionary stipend for learning & development
• Annual discretionary stipend for social travel
• Annual company offsite

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling and the option to work from our new office in San Francisco

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in San Francisco. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Research Services (specifically, AI Audio research and deployment)

Company Size: 51-200 employees (rapidly growing)

Founded: 2022 (with significant growth and investment since)

Company Description:

• ElevenLabs is an AI Audio research and deployment company, developing AI Audio models for realistic, versatile, and contextually-aware speech and sound effects.
• Their products make these models accessible for everyday users, prosumers, and businesses to create and localize content.
• ElevenLabs' technology is used in various applications, from voicing audiobooks and news articles to animating video game characters and helping individuals with accessibility needs.

Company Specialties:

• Text to Speech
• Speech to Speech
• AI Dubbing
• Content Localization
• AI Audio Research

Company Website: elevenlabs.io

ASSUMPTION: ElevenLabs is a fast-growing, innovative company with a strong focus on AI Audio research and deployment. They prioritize high-velocity growth, impact over job titles, and using AI to move faster with higher-quality results.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior, depending on experience and qualifications

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the CEO and may have team members reporting to them, depending on the candidate's experience and fit

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (with the option to work from our new office in San Francisco)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a leadership role as the company expands
• Opportunities to work on cutting-edge AI Audio research and deployment projects
• Chance to make a significant impact on the company's growth and success

ASSUMPTION: This role offers excellent growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a significant impact on the company's success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Co-working spaces and optional in-person offices in London, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Warsaw

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, United States (with remote flexibility)

Geographic Context:

• San Francisco is a major tech hub with a vibrant startup ecosystem
• The city offers a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and culinary experiences
• San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and dry summers

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling and the option to work from our new office in San Francisco

ASSUMPTION: The work environment at ElevenLabs is fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative, with a strong focus on high-velocity growth and excellence.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications
• In-depth behavioral and technical interviews with cross-functional team members
• Final interview with the CEO to discuss the role's fit and answer any remaining questions
• Background check and reference check (if applicable)

Key Assessment Areas:

• Relationship-building and networking skills
• Technical understanding of APIs and Conversational AI platforms
• Operational and system-building skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with ElevenLabs' values

Application Tips:

• Highlight your Bay Area network and relevant experience in your resume and cover letter
• Tailor your application to emphasize your technical understanding and operational skills
• Prepare examples of your relationship-building and community engagement efforts
• Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your plans

ATS Keywords: Startup partnerships, business development, relationship building, networking, API, Conversational AI, system building, community engagement, San Francisco, Bay Area, venture capital, startups

ASSUMPTION: The application process at ElevenLabs is designed to assess candidates' skills, cultural fit, and potential for growth within the company.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM software (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Google Workspace)
• API documentation and management tools (e.g., Postman, Swagger)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the candidate's role and responsibilities.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• High-velocity: Rapid experimentation, lean autonomous teams, and minimal bureaucracy
• Impact not job titles: Focus on the impact you have, not your job title
• AI first: Use AI to move faster with higher-quality results across the whole company
• Excellence everywhere: Everything we do should match the quality of our AI models
• Global team: Prioritize talent, not location. We are remote first with optional in-person offices

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and innovative, with a strong focus on high-velocity growth
• Collaborative and cross-functional, with a focus on excellence and impact
• Remote-first, with optional in-person offices and flexible work arrangements

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in fast-paced, innovative environments?
• Are you comfortable working remotely and collaborating with global teams?
• Do you have a strong network in the Bay Area and a passion for building relationships?
• Are you excited about the opportunity to make a significant impact on a rapidly growing company?

ASSUMPTION: ElevenLabs values candidates who are self-motivated, innovative, and passionate about AI Audio research and deployment. They prioritize cultural fit and alignment with their values.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a large number of startups and partnerships simultaneously
• Balancing individual contributor (IC) and manager responsibilities
• Keeping up with the fast-paced, innovative environment at ElevenLabs
• Adapting to a remote-first work environment with optional in-person offices

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a commitment to ElevenLabs' values and mission.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on startup partnerships and global startups program management
• Similar roles may include Business Development Manager, Partnerships Manager, or Startup Ecosystem Manager, but this role offers a more global and strategic focus
• Career paths may include advancing to leadership roles within ElevenLabs or transitioning to other strategic roles within the company

ASSUMPTION: This role offers excellent growth opportunities and the chance to make a significant impact on the company's success.

📝 Sample Projects

• Securing strategic partnerships with key players in the San Francisco ecosystem
• Developing and implementing systems to manage thousands of startups in the program
• Activating startups to ElevenLabs and converting them to enterprise contracts
• Planning and executing events to engage with startups and build community relationships

ASSUMPTION: These projects are designed to challenge and develop the candidate's skills in business development, operations, and community management.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into ElevenLabs' overall growth strategy?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does ElevenLabs support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
• How does ElevenLabs approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and workplace practices?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the cultural fit.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your Bay Area network, relevant experience, and technical understanding
• Prepare examples of your relationship-building and community engagement efforts
• Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your plans
• Follow up with the hiring manager 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.