Business Development & Partnerships Manager

Hawke Media•Santa Monica, CA

3d•$75,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Hawke Media is seeking a highly motivated Business Development & Partnerships Manager to build relationships, create opportunities, and drive revenue. This role is for an entrepreneurial operator and natural networker who can turn relationships into revenue. You will be responsible for identifying and developing relationships with founders, executives, technology companies, agencies, communities, and investors. The position requires building a system for consistent lead generation from channel partners, proactively sourcing opportunities, and closing various types of partnerships (referral, co-selling, technology, strategic). The role involves activating partners through campaigns, events, and content, representing Hawke at industry events, and thinking entrepreneurially to identify and develop new partnership models. Collaboration with Sales, Marketing, and Leadership is key to translating partnerships into measurable pipeline and closed business. Success will be measured by pipeline and revenue generated, with aggressive targets including 60+ qualified partner conversations/month, 30+ new partner relationships/month, and $250K+ partner-sourced pipeline within the first 90 days.

Requirements

4+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, sales, strategic alliances, agency growth, or a similar role.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships and get results.
Proven superconnector with a network that can be activated.
Exceptional communicator who can meet anyone.
Entrepreneurial by nature.
Hungry to build something, not simply manage something.
Comfortable with ambiguity, rejection, and aggressive goals.
Extremely proactive.
Strong negotiator who knows how to create win-win partnerships.
Competitive, resourceful, and relentless about getting results.
Highly organized to manage dozens of relationships and opportunities simultaneously.
Interested in marketing, technology, entrepreneurship, and the growth ecosystem.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated history of generating revenue through partnerships or business development.
Existing network of founders, executives, agencies, SaaS companies, investors, or other high-value relationships.
Experience in digital marketing, advertising, ecommerce, technology, media, or professional services.
History of exceeding aggressive goals.
Experience building something from scratch (a business, partnership channel, community, side hustle, etc.).
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

Build a high-value network: Identify and develop relationships with founders, executives, agencies, technology platforms, communities, investors, and other potential referral partners.
Predictable growth engine: Build a system to drive consistent, predictable leads at scale from channel partners.
Create pipeline: Proactively source partner opportunities that can generate qualified leads and new revenue for Hawke.
Close partnerships: Pitch, negotiate, and launch referral, co-selling, technology, and strategic partnerships.
Turn relationships into revenue: Build a repeatable pipeline of introductions, referrals, co-marketing opportunities, and strategic deals.
Activate partners: Create campaigns, events, introductions, content, offers, and other initiatives that produce business.
Represent Hawke: Attend conferences, dinners, networking events, and industry gatherings to meet people and create opportunities.
Think like an entrepreneur: Identify opportunities, develop creative partnership models, and move quickly from idea → relationship → revenue.
Work cross-functionally: Partner closely with Sales, Marketing, and Leadership to turn partnerships into measurable pipeline and closed business.