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Sirius is an a16z Speedrun-backed startup building a retention platform for consumer brands. The company helps brands convert one-time signups into long-term customers and already works with fast-growing companies in AI and consumer tech.
You will be the Founding Events & Partnerships Lead, owning all external vendor and partner relationships as the company scales. This is a hands-on, build-from-zero role reporting directly to the CEO with real influence on company strategy.
Key responsibilities:
- Own all external relationships with vendors and partner companies, serving as the primary point of contact and ensuring relationships remain productive.
- Run company events end-to-end, including industry conference presence, hosted dinners, meetups, and partner happy hours. Manage sponsorships, venues, budgets, vendor coordination, and logistics.
- Source, pitch, and close new partnerships including technology integrations, co-marketing opportunities, channel partnerships, and strategic alliances across the consumer growth and retention ecosystem.
- Manage vendor relationships: source and evaluate vendors, negotiate contracts, pricing, and SLAs, and hold vendors accountable to commitments.
- Own branded merchandise programs, including sourcing vendors, ordering, quality checks, inventory management, and delivery for team and events.
- Track vendor spend and renewals, identify cost savings, and flag single-vendor dependencies early.
- Create and maintain the company's partner and vendor map and systems.
- Conduct regular check-ins and quarterly business reviews with key partners and vendors.
- Collaborate across product, finance, and legal teams on integrations, contracts, and joint launches.
- Help shape the future of partnerships at Sirius and grow into leading a team as the company scales.
The role is based in San Francisco with a requirement for in-person, on-site work. The company does not offer visa sponsorship at this time.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 4+ years of experience in partnerships, alliances, business development, or vendor management
- Experience at an early-stage startup or clear evidence of thriving without extensive support infrastructure
- Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated ability to source, structure, and close deals end-to-end
- Excellent relationship-building abilities across founders, account teams, and C-level executives
- Highly organized and self-directed; able to manage multiple relationships while maintaining follow-up discipline
- Comfortable with ambiguity and context-switching between partnership pitches and vendor negotiations
- Clear, confident communication in writing and in person
NICE TO HAVE:
- Experience in AI, SaaS, martech, or high-growth consumer tech
- Familiarity with the consumer growth and retention ecosystem (analytics, messaging, CRM, attribution, payments tools)
- Existing network of potential partners in the space
- Experience building a partner or channel program from scratch
- Knowledge of contract basics (MSAs, SLAs, NDAs, rev-share agreements)
- Experience running merch or swag programs or working with print, apparel, and promotional product suppliers
