Partnerships Operations Manager

1. Take the calls (initial + some closing)

• Our VAs book initial calls with potential partners and affiliates (ISOs, post-purchase platforms, agencies, affiliates).
• You take the first qualifying / discovery call. Assess fit, learn what they need, capture key info in our CRM.
• You close smaller affiliate deals and lighter partner deals yourself end to end. No need to escalate every conversation.
• Big strategic partner deals get escalated to the founder.

2. Manage the VAs

• Run a clear ICP scorecard and qualifying script.
• Hold weekly check-ins, set quotas for meetings booked, review their output.
• Replace or coach the bottom performer. Make the VA layer 2x more productive than it is today.

3. Own the CRM and partner pipeline

• Set up and maintain our CRM.
• Two pipelines: Partners and Merchants.
• Keep it clean. Nothing falls through the cracks.
• Build decks, one-pagers, and marketing materials to support partners and affiliates.

4. Drive affiliate and slow-partner activation

• Affiliates: onboard new affiliates, run light relationship management, push top affiliates for results, handle payouts. Target 20+ active affiliates within 90 days.
• Slow partners: send re-engagement materials (intro decks, 2-pagers), book quarterly business reviews, push them toward activation.

5. Own all follow-up

• Calendly sequences, post-call follow-up emails, scheduling, nudges between meetings. Nothing slips.

Required

• 1 to 3+ years in business development, sales operations, partnerships, partner ops, account coordination, or a similar role at a B2B SaaS, fintech, agency, or e-commerce company
• Excellent written and spoken English. You’ll be on calls with US-based partner executives weekly.
• Strong organizational skills. You love clean spreadsheets, clear pipelines, and well-documented processes.
• Comfortable on 3 to 5 video calls per day with senior people
• CRM experience (HubSpot, Pipedrive, Attio, Salesforce, or similar)
• Self-directed. You ask questions when you need to, but you can run a process end to end without being told every step.
• Fast learner. You’re comfortable with new tools (Calendly, Loom, Apollo, Clay, n8n, Notion) and pick them up quickly.
• Coachable. You take feedback well, want to grow, and aren’t precious about your work.

Nice to Have

• Background in payments, e-commerce, D2C, SaaS, or fintech
• Experience managing virtual assistants or junior teammates
• Experience running or supporting an affiliate or referral program
• LinkedIn outbound or cold-email experience
• Experience at a startup under 50 people (you know how to wear multiple hats)

We’re NOT looking for

• A senior closer or quota-carrying AE who only wants to close. You’ll close some affiliate and smaller deals, but the bulk of this role is operations and activation, not pure sales.
• A marketer (we have agencies)
• Someone who needs hand-holding through every task
• Someone who’s only motivated by the title or the next promotion. This role is for someone who wants to build.

• Performance bonuses tied to:
  • Partner meetings booked into the founder’s calendar
  • Partner-sourced revenue closed
  • Affiliate program signups and activations
  • CRM hygiene and pipeline accuracy
• 100% remote, work from anywhere (some overlap with US Eastern time required, around 4 hours per day)
• Direct mentorship from the founder. You’ll learn fintech, partnerships, and operations.
• Path to grow as the partner team grows above you. First promotion target: Partner Development Manager or Affiliate Program Manager within 12 months.
• Real ownership of programs that scale with the company
• No bureaucracy. Fast decisions, ship fast.