Director, Partnership Management

Who we are

Semafor is a global news platform for an increasingly complex world in which consumers are overwhelmed by too many news sources and unsure what to trust. We are building Semafor to enable world-class journalists to deliver reporting and insights with rigor in journalistic forms that ensure a new level of transparency. Our editors and reporters distill the most important stories from all over in formats that uncover the forces shaping the stories, explain the interests behind polarizing narratives, and replenish the stock of shared facts. As a global platform, Semafor recognizes that smart people can disagree and that informed readers need to understand alternative points of view from competing centers of power and culture in a multi-polar world. Want to join us? Read on. 

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team at a rapidly growing media and publishing company. In this role, you will lead and contribute to the cross-functional execution of key accounts and integrated client-facing projects across their entire lifecycle (transitioning from sale to post-sale delivery), ensuring they align with clients’ objectives and Semafor’s commitment to delivering value across its editorial platforms and properties. Acting as the primary liaison between internal teams and external partners, you will be responsible for becoming both the client and Semafor expert – shepherding collaborative processes, crafting key strategic deliverables, ensuring Semafor’s execution meets the promised scope, keeping timelines on course, and attaining industry-beating standards to maintain the highest level of client satisfaction.

Your Responsibilities

Client Relationship Strategy & Management

• Operate and serve as a trusted advisor to clients and partners (often at the most senior, C-Suite levels), ensuring their priorities are at the forefront of project management.
• Manage integrated client programs from start to finish, serving as the primary contact between all parties to ensure deliverables and components are on track and within scope.
• Act as the primary point of contact for post-sale execution for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and timely responses.

Client Transition Management

• Serve as the bridge between marketing, sales, revenue operations, events, and other Semafor teams during client onboarding and across the length of the client partnership.
• Master client objectives, strategies, and partnership components in the final pre-sale phase to ensure all deliverables, timelines, and expectations are fully understood and documented.
• Lead internal kickoff meetings with relevant stakeholders to align on the scope of work, deliverables, client nuances, and success metrics.
• Host client onboarding and kickoff sessions, providing a smooth handoff from the sales team while building trust and confidence with the client.

Partnership Management and Ongoing Strategy 

• Oversee the ongoing execution of integrated client programs with extreme ownership ensuring seamless delivery and a premium ‘white glove’ experience for clients. Programs will include:
• Live Events (i.e.,multi-day summits, forums, custom events, etc.) working in partnership with the Head of Semafor Events
• Digital Advertising (i.e., newsletters, web, and social sponsorships, etc.) working in partnership with the Revenue Operations team
• Custom Content (i.e., branded articles, ad units, audio segments, videos, etc.) working in partnership with the Senior Creative Director
• Extensions into proprietary research, strategic services, innovation measurement strategies, and new product incubation
• Collaborate with internal teams (creative, sales, editorial, event production, marketing, product, audience, etc.) to ensure successful execution of integrated campaigns and events.
• Lead recurring status meetings preparing proactive agendas, leading calls, capturing notes and takeaways and following up with a detailed summary and capture of action items. 
• Develop detailed project plans and timelines, tracking progress and addressing any roadblocks proactively.
• Promote a free flow of information among partners and team members, ensuring transparency and alignment.
• Track and communicate project status, risks, and emergent issues with clarity, fostering shared understanding of goals and success criteria across all stakeholders.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including updated project plans, file management, and presentations.

Problem-Solving

• Proactively and elegantly address and resolve any client concerns or challenges to ensure high levels of satisfaction.
• Work cross-functionally to troubleshoot issues and optimize campaign and event performance.

Strategic Account Growth

• Identify opportunities to expand partnerships, upsell additional services, and drive client retention in close collaboration with sales.
• Prepare and present campaign and event performance insights, orchestrate, prepare, and deliver post-campaign reports, and provide recommendations for future initiatives.
• Deeply understand and leverage client performance data to make compelling sales arguments and narratives.
• Ensure delivery against partnership goals and objectives including realization of contracted revenue and attainment of targeted profit margins.
• Partner with Revenue Operations and Finance to align regular reporting against partnership P&L's aligned to over partner KPIs.

Industry Expertise

• Stay up to date with digital publishing trends, advertising best practices, and event management innovations.
• Provide insights and thought leadership to clients, positioning Semafor as a strategic partner.
• Assist in building out new systems and practices to streamline workflows and enhance operational efficiency.

What makes you qualified

• 8+ years of experience in program management, client services, or a related field within media, marketing, or editorial environments.
• Experience working with global clients across the US, Gulf, and beyond, and a deep understanding and appreciation for cultural, business, and geopolitical dynamics. A bonus for experience with clients focused on B2B and B2G strategies. 
• Proven ability to manage complex, integrated projects involving multiple stakeholders and deliverables.
• Experience managing both large and small format events, digital advertising campaigns, podcasts, and marketing services.
• Expertise in project management tools and methodologies, with a strong focus on operational efficiency.
• Deep understanding of and respect for media, journalism, and the importance of editorial independence.
• Ability to thrive in an ultra fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, and a talent in managing competing priorities.

• Sophisticated communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, with proven experience working directly with clients at a very senior, C-Suite level.
• Exceptional program management skills (driving program execution across multiple complex projects, timelines and clients), balanced with a savvy ability to engage and satisfy stakeholders.
• Compelling collaboration skills and partnership mind-set, able to quickly build relationships, earn trust, and operate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret campaign data and provide actionable insights.
• Advanced leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coach others through complex solutioning to deliver results.
• Familiarity with digital advertising platforms (e.g., programmatic tools, Google Ads) and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics), as well as project management software like Asana.
• Experience with Boostr or similar CRM and campaign management tools.

Additional Job Details

This position is based in New York, NY or Washington, DC at Semafor Headquarters.

Candidates must be willing to work flexible hours and travel domestically and internationally on an as-needed basis.

Comprehensive employee benefits:  unlimited PTO, medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability, flexible spending, health savings accounts, life insurance, 401(k), pre-Tax commuter benefits. 

Salary Range: $150,000 - $170,000/year Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc.

Additional job details

Semafor offers a Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy to our full-time, salaried employees who may take paid time off as-needed without a prescribed limit or defined balance.

Semafor, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Semafor, Inc. will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.