Startup Partnerships

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Startup Partnerships Lead

🔹 Company: ElevenLabs

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

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (with remote option)

🔹 Category: Partnerships & Business Development

🔹 Date Posted: May 28, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (with remote option)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Building and managing strategic partnerships with startups in the San Francisco ecosystem
• Growing and scaling ElevenLabs' startups program globally
• Developing and implementing systems to handle thousands of startups in the program
• Recruiting and managing partnerships leads across the world
• Activating startups to ElevenLabs and converting them to enterprise contracts

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong balance of relationship-building, technical understanding, and operational skills. It is 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 manage the startups program globally

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

✅ Build and maintain strong relationships with startups, understanding their needs and aligning them with ElevenLabs' offerings

✅ Develop and implement systems to handle thousands of startups going through the program, ensuring efficient onboarding and engagement

✅ Recruit, train, and manage partnerships leads across the world to expand ElevenLabs' reach and impact

✅ Activate startups to ElevenLabs by providing value, support, and resources, and convert them to enterprise contracts when appropriate

✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product, engineering, marketing, and sales, to ensure startups' success and ElevenLabs' growth

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of individual contributor (IC) and management responsibilities. Success depends on strong relationship-building, technical understanding, and operational 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 partnerships, business development, or a related role, with a strong focus on startups and the San Francisco ecosystem.

Required Skills:

• Excellent relationship-building and networking skills, with a strong existing network in the Bay Area
• Technical proficiency in understanding APIs and Conversational AI platforms
• Strong operational skills, with the ability to build and run systems efficiently
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively

Preferred Skills:

• Experience managing a high-performing team
• Previous experience using ElevenLabs' products or services
• Fluency in additional languages

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in startup ecosystems, venture capital, or related fields will have a strong advantage in this role. Technical proficiency in understanding APIs and Conversational AI platforms is essential for success.

💰 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 an ElevenLabs office)
• Learning & development stipend for professional development
• Social travel stipend to meet up with colleagues each year
• Annual company offsite

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in San Francisco. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and performance.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Audio AI and Conversational AI research and deployment

Company Size: 51-200 employees (as of 2025)

Founded: 2022, with significant growth and investment since its launch

Company Description:

• ElevenLabs is an AI Audio research and deployment company, developing AI Audio models that generate realistic, versatile, and contextually-aware speech and sound effects.
• The company's products make these models accessible for everyday users, prosumers, and businesses to create and localize content.
• ElevenLabs' technology is used in various applications, including voicing audiobooks and news articles, animating video game characters, helping in film pre-production, automating localization processes in entertainment, creating dynamic audio content for social media and advertising, and training medical professionals.
• The company has also given back voices to those who have lost them and helped individuals with accessibility needs in their daily lives.

Company Specialties:

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

Company Website: elevenlabs.io

ASSUMPTION: ElevenLabs is a rapidly growing company with a strong focus on innovation and impact. Applicants should be prepared for a fast-paced, high-velocity work environment.

📊 Role Analysis

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

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the CEO and works closely with cross-functional teams, including product, engineering, marketing, and sales.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with the option to work remotely. The role requires occasional in-person presence in San Francisco and at company offsites.

Growth Opportunities:

• As ElevenLabs continues to grow, there will be opportunities for the successful candidate to expand their role and take on additional responsibilities.
• The company encourages internal mobility and promotes from within, providing opportunities for career growth and development.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential as ElevenLabs continues to expand its partnerships and impact in the AI Audio and Conversational AI spaces.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: ElevenLabs has offices in London, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Warsaw, with remote work options available.

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

Geographic Context:

• San Francisco is a major hub for startups, venture capital, and technology, providing ample opportunities for networking and partnership development.
• The city offers a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and culinary experiences.
• San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and dry, warm summers.

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

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate should be comfortable working in a hybrid environment, with occasional in-person presence required for meetings, events, and company offsites.

💼 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 teams
• Final interview with the CEO
• Background check and reference check (if applicable)

Key Assessment Areas:

• Relationship-building and networking skills
• Technical understanding of APIs and Conversational AI platforms
• Operational skills and ability to build and run systems
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with ElevenLabs' values

Application Tips:

• Highlight your existing network in the Bay Area and any relevant partnerships or collaborations you've established in the past.
• Demonstrate your technical proficiency by providing examples of how you've worked with APIs or Conversational AI platforms.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview, demonstrating your interest in the company and the role.

ATS Keywords: Startup partnerships, business development, relationship building, API, Conversational AI, San Francisco, Bay Area, partnerships lead, startups program, enterprise contracts

ASSUMPTION: ElevenLabs uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage and organize job applications. Including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help your application stand out and increase the likelihood of being reviewed by the hiring team.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Jira)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Workspace)
• API documentation and testing tools (e.g., Postman, Swagger, or Insomnia)

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate should be comfortable using various tools and technologies to manage partnerships, track progress, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

👔 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 your talent, not your location. We are remote first with optional in-person offices

Work Style:

• Autonomous: You'll have the freedom to work independently and make decisions
• Collaborative: You'll work closely with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals
• Adaptable: You'll need to be comfortable with change and able to pivot quickly as needed

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, high-velocity work environment?
• Are you comfortable working autonomously and making decisions with minimal guidance?
• Do you have a strong network in the Bay Area and a proven track record of building and maintaining strategic partnerships?
• Are you comfortable using AI tools and technologies to improve efficiency and results?

ASSUMPTION: ElevenLabs values candidates who are autonomous, collaborative, and adaptable, with a strong focus on impact and excellence.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a large number of startups and ensuring their success can be challenging and time-consuming
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key players in the San Francisco ecosystem requires significant networking and relationship-building efforts
• Occasional in-person presence may be required, which could disrupt remote work schedules
• Working in a fast-paced, high-velocity environment can be demanding and may require long hours or quick pivots

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate should be prepared to manage multiple priorities, work efficiently, and adapt to change in a fast-paced environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on startup partnerships and the startups program, with a global scope and significant growth potential
• Compared to other partnerships or business development roles, this position requires a stronger focus on technical understanding and operational skills
• Career progression in this role could lead to expanded responsibilities, team management, or even a C-level position as ElevenLabs continues to grow

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential and unique opportunities for impact in the AI Audio and Conversational AI spaces.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a system to efficiently onboard and engage thousands of startups in the program
• Creating and executing a strategic plan to activate startups to ElevenLabs and convert them to enterprise contracts
• Building and managing a high-performing team of partnerships leads across the world to expand ElevenLabs' reach and impact

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the operational, strategic, and management aspects of the role, highlighting the need for strong relationship-building, technical understanding, and organizational skills.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current state of the startups program and the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does ElevenLabs support and engage with startups in the program, and what resources are available to help them succeed?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the startups program, and how can this role address them?
• How does this role collaborate with cross-functional teams, and what are the key stakeholders for this position?
• What opportunities are there for growth and development in this role, and how does ElevenLabs support the career progression of its employees?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, relevant questions during the interview demonstrates your interest in the role and provides valuable insights into the company and the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: ElevenLabs Startup Partnerships Lead
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, emphasizing your relationship-building, technical, and operational abilities
• Prepare for the interview by researching ElevenLabs, understanding the role's requirements, and practicing your responses to common interview questions
• Follow up with the hiring team one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.