Partnerships Manager

About Venture Dock

Venture Dock is Silicon Valley's founder-first innovation hub, designed to accelerate early-stage founders on their journey. Our mission is to create a thriving ecosystem where innovation meets collaboration- connecting entrepreneurs with the right partners, mentors, and investors to spark growth and scale impact.

Located on University Avenue in Palo Alto, Venture Dock brings together a curated mix of startups, venture firms, and corporate innovators through memberships, programs, and events that drive meaningful connections and outcomes.

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Job Overview

Venture Dock is seeking a Partnerships Manager to lead the development and management of strategic relationships with corporations, investors, and ecosystem partners. This role is pivotal in bridging the gap between startups and enterprises- creating win-win collaborations through sponsorships, innovation programs, and community engagement.

The ideal candidate has experience in partnerships, business development, and ecosystem building, with a strong understanding of the startup landscape. You will work closely with leadership, community, and events teams to design partnership programs that deliver tangible value to all stakeholders.

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Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Strategic Partnerships

• Identify, pursue, and secure new corporate and ecosystem partners aligned with Venture Dock's mission and community.

• Develop partnership frameworks and value propositions across sectors such as AI, SaaS, and deep tech.

• Structure collaboration opportunities- including sponsorships, innovation challenges, intrapreneurship programs, and founder support initiatives.

Account Management & Relationship Building

• Serve as the main liaison for corporate and institutional partners, ensuring consistent engagement and satisfaction.

• Manage ongoing partnerships through regular touchpoints, impact reviews, and customized engagement plans.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless delivery of partnership commitments.

Event Collaboration & Sponsorship

• Partner with the programming and events team to integrate sponsors and partners into Venture Dock's flagship events — such as DockTalks, Founder Spotlights, and Investor Roundtables.

• Design high-impact sponsorship packages that enhance brand visibility and foster authentic engagement.

• Coordinate logistics and communications to ensure partners derive maximum value from their participation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with marketing, operations, and leadership teams to translate partner objectives into action across the ecosystem.

• Provide market insights and feedback loops to inform product, program, and community strategies.

• Support the creation of decks, proposals, and partnership narratives that capture the value of Venture Dock collaborations.

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Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.

• 3+ years of experience in corporate partnerships, business development, or strategic account management, ideally within the startup, innovation, or coworking ecosystem.

• Proven track record of developing and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships with measurable outcomes.

• Deep understanding of startup and innovation ecosystems — particularly in Silicon Valley.

• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.

• Highly organized, proactive, and capable of thriving in a fast-moving, collaborative environment.

• Willingness to occasionally travel for events and partner meetings.

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Why Join Venture Dock

• Be part of a vibrant, fast-growing community shaping the next wave of innovation in Silicon Valley.

• Collaborate directly with founders, investors, and global corporations driving cutting-edge ideas.

• Take ownership in building the partnership function from the ground up in a mission-driven organization.

• Enjoy a dynamic, creative work culture with opportunities for professional and leadership growth.

• Competitive compensation with performance-based incentives and community perks.

Salary Range- 80k plus commission