Sales & Business Development

Partnerships Manager

SOC 11-2022.00 · ESCO 1221 · OSCA 131531

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Role snapshot

Overview

Identifies, negotiates, and manages strategic relationships with other companies that create mutual business value. Structures partnership agreements, coordinates joint initiatives, and tracks the performance of each alliance.

Drives business growth by creating and nurturing mutually beneficial alliances, expanding market reach, and generating new revenue streams through strategic collaborations.

On the job

  • Identify and research potential strategic partners aligned with business objectives.
  • Negotiate terms and structure partnership agreements, ensuring alignment with legal and financial requirements.
  • Develop and execute joint go-to-market strategies and collaborative initiatives.
  • Monitor, analyze, and report on partnership performance, identifying areas for optimization.
  • Cultivate strong relationships with partner contacts, acting as the primary point of contact and advocate.
Partnerships Manager at work

Tools & technology

CRM software (e.g., Salesforce)Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira)Communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)Analytics dashboards (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)

Average salary

$110K
MEDIAN SALARY Annual · USD
$75K Bottom 10%
$160K Top 10%

Job outlook

Growing

Job growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.

Education & training

A bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field is typically required, often combined with relevant experience in sales or business development.

Career pathways

WHERE YOU COULD GO

Senior Partnerships Manager
Director of Business Development
Head of Strategic Alliances

CURRENT ROLE

Partnerships Manager

Sales & Business Development

ADJACENT MOVES

Sales Manager
Business Development Representative
Account Manager
Sales Executive

STARTING POINTS

Who thrives here

Interest profile

E

enterprising · ECS

People who enjoy influencing others, building strategic relationships, and structuring agreements while maintaining organizational standards tend to thrive in this role.

Personality characteristics

Curious Strategist

Enjoys exploring new market opportunities and innovative partnership models to drive growth.

Organized Deal-maker

Manages complex agreements and multiple relationships with meticulous attention to detail and structured planning.

Engaging Networker

Thrives on initiating and nurturing external relationships, comfortable with frequent negotiation and outreach.

Collaborative Builder

Aims to build strong, mutually beneficial relationships, consistently seeking win-win outcomes with partners.

Composed Under Pressure

Handles negotiations, potential disagreements, and the inherent unpredictability of partnerships with calm and resilience.

Best for

  • Individuals who are highly skilled at building rapport, influencing others, and fostering long-term business relationships.
  • Professionals who enjoy the challenge of identifying, structuring, and launching complex business deals.
  • Those who thrive in roles that combine strategic planning with active external engagement and problem-solving.

Watch out for

  • Requires comfort with frequent external communication, complex negotiations, and managing diverse stakeholder expectations.
  • Success often depends on factors outside direct control, requiring resilience and adaptability to changing market conditions.

A week in the life

A representative working week for a Partnerships Manager — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.

8am9am10am11am12pm1pm2pm3pm4pm5pm6pm
Mon
Team Standup & Priorities
Strategic Partner Research & Qualification
Internal Partnership Strategy Session
Outreach & Initial Contact
Tue
Follow-up on Outreach & Scheduling
Discovery Calls with Potential Partners
Partnership Proposal Drafting
CRM Updates & Reporting
Wed
Partnership Negotiation Meeting
Internal Legal & Finance Review
Joint Initiative Planning with Partner
Market Analysis & Trend Research
Thu
Existing Partner Account Review
Cross-functional Sync (Sales, Marketing)
Performance Tracking & Optimization
Industry News & Competitor Analysis
Fri
Weekly Team Wrap-up
Strategic Planning & Goal Setting
Administrative Tasks & Email Catch-up
Learning & Development / Professional Reading
Deep work Meeting External Social Admin

FREE ASSESSMENT

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