Partnerships Manager

The Local Project•New York, NY

2d•$85,000 - $95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Local Project is a rapidly growing design publication with a presence in Australia, New Zealand, and North America, focusing on local design stories and their global impact through various media channels. In 2024, The Local Project launched The Local Production, a full-service creative studio dedicated to enhancing brands through storytelling and high-quality content. This commercial role is central to the New York business, working directly with the Chief Partnerships Officer to drive revenue, cultivate and manage partner relationships, and oversee deals from inception to completion and renewal. The position is designed for growth, offering early ownership, training in The Local Project's sales methods and standards, and support to eventually manage a personal portfolio of accounts and revenue targets. The ideal candidate possesses commercial acumen, genuine curiosity, and a default use of AI in their workflow, with a desire to master premium brand partnerships.

Requirements

Three to five years of experience in partnerships, brand, media sales, agency account management, or a related commercial role.
Experience supporting or partially carrying a book of business.
Demonstrated commercial instinct; ability to assess deals, know when to negotiate, and a desire to own revenue targets.
AI native: already uses AI as a core part of their work and is eager to explore its further application.
Relationship intelligence and taste: ability to manage premium client interactions, client-first approach, and a developing literacy in architecture, design, and premium brand storytelling.
Coachable and low ego: leads with curiosity, eagerness to learn The Local Project's methods, and a desire to be taught.
Organized and accurate: ability to manage multiple partners and timelines simultaneously, with a high standard for detail, contracts, and data.
Eligible to work in the United States with existing US work rights.

Nice To Haves

You are not a finished senior with a fixed playbook, and you are not learning what a pipeline is. You are ready to be shaped.

Responsibilities

Carry and grow partnerships, supporting the Chief Partnerships Officer across the full partnership lifecycle, from pitch and proposal through to delivery, reporting, and renewal.
Take ownership of a growing set of accounts over time, including seed accounts, with a clear path to carrying your own book.
Manage day-to-day partner communication with professionalism and warmth, ensuring timeliness, consideration, and alignment with the brand's tone to deliver a high-touch experience.
Ensure all deals are properly documented, driving booking forms and contracts to signature before work commences, tracking terms and timelines, and maintaining commercial detail to protect revenue.
Maintain HubSpot CRM, ensuring it is clean, current, and trustworthy, with accurate deal stages, values, and dates for reliable pipeline and forecast management.
Prepare proposals, decks, and renewal presentations that reflect The Local Project's premium positioning, incorporating audience insights, case studies, and appropriate formats for each partner.
Prepare monthly and quarterly performance reporting based on agreed metrics, translating results into clear insights to support renewals and future strategy.