Strategic Partnerships Director

Career Guide

A Strategic Partnerships Director builds and grows high-impact external partnerships that drive revenue, product adoption, and market reach. The role blends business development, relationship leadership, deal execution, and long-term partner success across teams like sales, product, marketing, and legal.

Key Responsibilities

Set partnership strategy aligned to company goals
Identify and prioritize high-value partner targets
Build senior relationships with partner decision makers
Lead partner negotiations from first meeting to signed agreement
Develop business cases and forecasts for partnership opportunities
Coordinate internal teams to launch and scale partnerships
Create joint go-to-market plans with partners
Track partnership performance and improve results over time
Manage partner issues and protect long-term relationship health
Report progress and risks to executive stakeholders

Top Skills for Success

Stakeholder Management

Executive Communication

Negotiation

Strategic Planning

Commercial Acumen

Relationship Building

Deal Structuring

Partner Enablement

Go-to-Market Planning

Performance Measurement

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Partnerships Manager

Business Development Manager

Channel Manager

Strategic Alliances Manager

Account Executive

Transition Opportunities

Vice President of Partnerships

Head of Business Development

Vice President of Business Development

General Manager

Chief Revenue Officer

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Deal StructuringForecastingPartner Program DesignContract LiteracyCross-Functional LeadershipMetrics DefinitionPricing StrategyConflict Resolution

Development SuggestionsBuild a repeatable partnership playbook, practice negotiation with clear concession plans, and strengthen financial modeling for deal evaluation. Partner closely with legal and finance to improve contract and pricing confidence, and establish a simple metrics framework to track pipeline, launch success, and ongoing revenue impact.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 140,000 to 190,000

Mid LevelUSD 180,000 to 250,000

Senior LevelUSD 230,000 to 350,000

Growth Trend

Strong demand in technology, financial services, and healthcare, driven by ecosystem growth, platform strategies, and the need for efficient go-to-market channels. Hiring is highest in high-growth firms and companies expanding into new markets.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

GoogleMicrosoftAmazonSalesforceMetaAppleStripeShopifyUberAirbnbVisaMastercardUnitedHealth GroupCVS Health

Industry Sectors

TechnologyFinancial ServicesHealthcareEcommerceConsumer GoodsMedia and EntertainmentTravel and HospitalityTelecommunications

Recommended Next Steps

Create a portfolio of 3 partnership case studies with measurable outcomes

Draft a target partner list and a clear outreach narrative for each

Build a basic deal model template for revenue, cost, and risk

Define a partnership scorecard with 5 to 8 key metrics

Practice negotiation role-plays focused on price, scope, and exclusivity

Strengthen cross-team alignment by leading a mock partner launch plan

Update your resume to highlight signed deals, revenue impact, and launch execution

Network with partnership leaders in your target sector and request informational interviews