Partnerships Manager, Ecosystems

StartX • Palo Alto, CA

3d

About The Position

StartX is looking for a strategic and execution-oriented Partnerships Manager to lead our Ecosystems vertical. In this role, you will be the primary architect and steward of our relationships with external governments, universities, and regional innovation hubs. You won’t just be "managing an account"—you will be designing and delivering the educational and operational frameworks that help these global communities build sustainable, high-growth startup environments. You will own the full lifecycle of the partner experience, from onboarding and contract execution to ensuring every milestone and strategic goal is met with excellence.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Education, Learning, or Design is required.
• 5+ years of experience in partnership management, program design, or ecosystem building, ideally within a startup, accelerator, or higher-education environment.
• A deep understanding of how people and organizations learn. You should be comfortable designing workshops, curricula, and engagement models.
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder contracts and delivering results on time and under budget.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to navigate high-level political and academic environments.
• The ability to move quickly in a startup environment while maintaining the patience and diplomacy required for large institutional partnerships.

Nice To Haves

• Alumni of the Stanford Graduate School of Education (specifically LDT or POLS programs).

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for government officials, university leadership, and community directors, building deep trust and alignment with StartX’s mission.
• Take full accountability for the delivery of contractual obligations, ensuring all KPIs, timelines, and partner-specific goals are achieved or exceeded.
• Apply learning sciences and instructional design principles to customize StartX’s methodology for diverse ecosystems, ensuring the "StartX way" is effectively translated across different cultures and institutional structures.
• Consult with partners on how to foster innovation, support local founders, and build the infrastructure necessary for a thriving startup community.
• Work closely with the StartX Admissions, Operations, and Program teams to ensure partner startups receive the resources and support promised.
• Track and report on the impact of ecosystem partnerships, using data to iterate on program design and demonstrate value to stakeholders.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level