📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Strategic Partnerships Manager
🔹 Company: Mercury
🔹 Location: San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, Portland, OR, Remote within Canada, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Financial Services
🔹 Date Posted: April 23, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Building strategic partnerships from scratch to drive revenue and user growth
- Developing and executing partnership strategies for Ecommerce and Professional Services channels
- Collaborating cross-functionally with product, marketing, sales, and legal teams
- Negotiating and structuring partnership deals, and managing partner relationships
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment. Experience in Ecommerce or Professional Services is ideal but not required.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Launch new partnership programs from scratch, shaping strategies, identifying key partners, and bringing initiatives to life
✅ Own the end-to-end partnership lifecycle, from initial outreach to deal structuring, negotiation, onboarding, and long-term growth
✅ Think strategically and act practically, building channel strategies rooted in research, data, and industry insight
✅ Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure partnerships translate into differentiated experiences and scalable outcomes
✅ Use data to inform and adapt partnership strategies, and be a product advocate
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple priorities and stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Experience: 8+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, or a similar role
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of building successful partnerships from scratch
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Excellent negotiation and deal structuring skills
- Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities
- Familiarity with API partnerships and product-led ecosystems
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with or selling into Ecommerce or Professional Services companies
- Fluency in additional languages (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in fintech or SaaS industries may have an advantage in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $162,800 - $226,100 USD per year (varies by location)
Benefits:
- Equity (stock options)
- Competitive benefits package
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and remote work options
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is competitive within the SaaS and fintech industry and is updated regularly using reliable compensation survey data.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services. Mercury is a fintech company that provides banking services and financial workflow solutions to ambitious companies.
Company Size: Medium (501-1,000 employees). Mercury offers the benefits of a mid-sized company, with the agility and innovation of a startup.
Founded: 2017. Mercury has grown rapidly since its founding and now serves over 200,000 startups.
Company Description:
- Mercury is the fintech that ambitious companies use for banking and all their financial workflows
- With a powerful bank account at the center of their operations, companies can make better financial decisions
- Mercury ensures that every dollar spent aligns with company priorities
Company Specialties:
- Banking services
- Financial workflow solutions
- API integrations
Company Website: Mercury.com
ASSUMPTION: Mercury's focus on serving ambitious companies sets it apart in the fintech industry, offering unique opportunities for growth and impact.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Experienced professional. This role is suitable for candidates with 8+ years of experience in partnerships or business development.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Partnerships and collaborates with various internal teams, including product, marketing, sales, and legal.
Work Arrangement: Remote OK. This role offers flexible remote work options, with the possibility of working from Mercury's offices in San Francisco, New York, or Portland.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead and grow the partnership team as Mercury expands
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and drive strategic initiatives
- Exposure to various aspects of the business, fostering well-rounded professional development
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential as Mercury continues to expand its partnerships and user base.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid. Mercury offers both remote and on-site work options, with offices in San Francisco, New York, and Portland.
Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA; New York, NY; Portland, OR
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco: A major tech hub with a vibrant startup ecosystem
- New York: A global financial capital with numerous opportunities for strategic partnerships
- Portland: A growing tech scene with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and the possibility of working remotely
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work environment at Mercury offers the best of both worlds, allowing employees to collaborate in person while also enjoying the flexibility of remote work.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the partnership team
- Final interview with the Head of Partnerships
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Communication and presentation skills
- Negotiation and deal structuring
- Cultural fit and alignment with Mercury's values
Application Tips:
- Highlight your experience with strategic partnerships and business development
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize relevant skills and experiences
- Prepare examples of successful partnerships you've built from scratch
- Demonstrate your understanding of Mercury's business and the Ecommerce/Professional Services channels
ATS Keywords: Strategic Partnerships, Business Development, Ecommerce, Professional Services, API Partnerships, Product-led Ecosystems, Communication Skills, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Data Analysis, Strategic Thinking, Collaboration, Negotiation, Onboarding, Co-marketing, Relationship Building, Growth Strategies
ASSUMPTION: The interview process at Mercury is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for the role and the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Analytics)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Google Workspace)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the industry and can be learned quickly by candidates with relevant experience.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Ambitious: Mercury serves ambitious companies and fosters an ambitious culture
- Reliable: Mercury ensures that every dollar spent aligns with company priorities
- Innovative: Mercury continually improves its products and services to better serve its customers
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Mercury encourages cross-functional collaboration and teamwork
- Data-driven: Mercury uses data to inform decision-making and strategy
- Adaptable: Mercury embraces change and encourages employees to be flexible and adaptable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
- Are you comfortable working autonomously and managing multiple priorities?
- Do you have strong communication and presentation skills?
- Are you passionate about building strategic partnerships and driving growth?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Mercury's values and work style will be the best fit for this role and the company.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and stakeholders simultaneously
- Navigating a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment
- Building partnerships in competitive markets (Ecommerce and Professional Services)
- Adapting to changes in partnership strategies and priorities
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome by candidates with strong project management skills, adaptability, and a strategic mindset.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Strategic Partnerships Manager vs. Business Development Manager: Both roles focus on building partnerships, but the Strategic Partnerships Manager role is more focused on strategic, long-term collaborations, while the Business Development Manager role may be more focused on short-term sales and revenue growth.
- Industry-specific context: The Ecommerce and Professional Services channels present unique opportunities and challenges for partnership development.
- Career path comparison: This role offers significant growth potential, with the opportunity to lead and grow the partnership team as Mercury expands.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their career goals and preferences when comparing this role to similar positions in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a strategic partnership program for a major Ecommerce platform, including market research, deal structuring, and long-term growth planning
- Building a co-marketing campaign with a leading Professional Services firm, including content creation, event planning, and lead generation
- Negotiating and structuring a strategic partnership with a fintech company, including API integration and revenue sharing
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, long-term focus of the Strategic Partnerships Manager role at Mercury.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current partnership landscape for Ecommerce and Professional Services channels, and how this role will contribute to its growth?
- How does Mercury support the professional development and growth of its partnership team members?
- Can you provide an example of a successful partnership that Mercury has built, and the strategies that contributed to its success?
- How does Mercury approach collaboration and communication with its partners, and what role will I play in these relationships?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will my success be measured?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your understanding of Mercury's business.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience with strategic partnerships, business development, and relevant industry knowledge
- Prepare examples of successful partnerships you've built from scratch, and be ready to discuss your approach to partnership development and growth
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, expressing your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
