Director OF Partnerships

Location: New York City, United States (Hybrid) Experience: 3-7 years Team: Partnerships & Events About Manifest AI Manifest AI helps eCommerce brands increase conversions with an AI Shopping Assistant that answers product questions, recommends the right products, summarizes reviews, guides purchase decisions, and delivers personalized shopping experiences across every stage of the buyer journey. Backed by Y Combinator (S20), Manifest AI is trusted by 500+ global brands, including LEGO, Transformer Table, Imagine, Durex, and many of the fastest-growing Shopify merchants. We’re helping merchants increase conversions, improve customer engagement, and create shopping experiences that feel as natural as talking to an in-store expert. As AI transforms how consumers discover and buy products online, we’re building the digital store associate every eCommerce brand will rely on. About the Role This isn’t a typical Partner Account Manager or standard channel sales role. As our first Founding Partnerships & Events Manager for North America , you’ll work directly with the leadership team to architect, build, and scale Manifest AI’s partner ecosystem from zero to one and beyond. This is a high‑visibility, quota‑carrying role combining strategic ecosystem design, hands‑on business pipeline development, community management, and event execution. You’ll engage deeply with Tier‑1 digital marketing/performance agencies, e‑commerce enablers, Shopify ecosystem experts, and system integrators (SIs). Beyond managing existing relationships, you will drive the building of a healthy pipeline, take ownership of our thriving RLOE (Roaring Ladies of E‑commerce) community, and establish our field marketing strategy. If you’re an ambitious builder who thrives in fast‑paced startup environments and wants to shape how the next wave of AI‑powered commerce scales through ecosystems, you’ll fit right in. What You’ll Do Generate qualified pipeline through a combination of outbound partner acquisition and ecosystem lead development across agencies, SIs, and commerce enablers. Own top‑of‑funnel partner‑driven pipeline generation and ARR targets, identifying high‑potential agency accounts, engaging decision‑makers, and booking opportunities to co‑sell with the sales team. Help build and refine Manifest AI’s foundational partner playbook by experimenting with tier structures, incentive models, revenue‑share models, and operational co‑marketing strategies. Work directly with the leadership team on strategic accounts, enterprise retail partner mapping, and community‑driven go‑to‑market initiatives across North America. Take complete ownership of organizing, hosting, and marketing Manifest & RLOE events. Travel across the US for regional field events, partner dinners, conferences, and industry events while representing Manifest AI and managing the RLOE community footprint. Maintain accurate CRM hygiene, activity tracking, and ecosystem pipeline visibility using modern sales and mapping tools like HubSpot, Crossbeam etc. Whom We’re Looking For 3 to 7 years of total B2B SaaS experience with a clear path showing early sales roots (e.g., BDR/SDR) scaling into dedicated Growth, Partner & Event Management. Prior experience serving as a Head of Partnerships & Events, Senior Strategic Partner Manager, within an agency or SaaS space, proving an ability to operate in fast‑moving, zero‑to‑one environments with high ownership. Strong communicator with exceptional EQ and executive presence who enjoys building trust‑based relationships with founders, agency CXOs, and senior enterprise decision‑makers. Deeply embedded, warm network within North American Digital Marketing / Performance Agencies, enterprise consulting networks, and the Shopify platform landscape. Hands‑on experience using modern sales and ecosystem tools such as HubSpot, Crossbeam, Apollo, and LinkedIn Sales Navigator. Curious about Agentic AI, LLM workflows, and excited by how automation software is transforming customer experience and conversational e‑commerce. Preference will be given to female candidates, based out of New York, or open to move to New York and able to work in a hybrid environment while traveling 20‑30% across the US for partner meetings and industry events. Candidates with direct experience building or scaling community operations or managing regional field marketing budgets will be strongly preferred. Preferred Experience We’re especially excited to meet candidates with backgrounds in top‑tier e‑commerce SaaS or those deeply native to the Shopify ecosystem. Ideal experience includes selling or partnering within: Shopify apps or Shopify ecosystem products. eCommerce SaaS platforms, helpdesk software, or automation tools. AI or conversational automation software. Customer Experience (CX) or Customer Data Platforms (CDP). Marketing Technology (MarTech) or Enterprise CRM systems. Commerce technology and digital payment layers. Personalization, search, merchandising, or conversion optimization platforms. Bonus points if you’ve worked closely with Shopify merchants, DTC brands, omnichannel retailers, or enterprise commerce teams. Benefits Competitive Compensation + ESOPs – Up to USD 120,000 OTE per annum, and the opportunity to share in Manifest AI’s long‑term success through employee stock ownership. Work Directly with the Founders – Partner closely with the founders, gain firsthand exposure to building a high‑growth AI startup, and help shape our North America go‑to‑market strategy from day one. Travel Opportunities – Represent Manifest AI at meetings, leading eCommerce conferences, and industry events across the US. Exposure to Events & Go‑to‑Market – Collaborate on Partner events, conferences, outbound initiatives, and marketing programs while learning how a category‑defining AI company scales. Paid Time Off – Recharge with paid vacation and personal leave. Paid Sick Leave – Dedicated paid sick leave to support your health and well‑being. Why Join Manifest AI? Be one of the founding members building our North America team. Work directly with the founders and influence how our outbound engine is built and scaled. Help define the Partnerships playbook instead of simply following one. Promote a category‑defining AI product that’s transforming how people shop online. Join one of the fastest‑growing categories in commerce technology. Partner with leading Shopify and global eCommerce agencies and players. Build your career while helping Manifest AI establish its presence across North America. #J-18808-Ljbffr