Growth & Partnerships

As a Growth & Partnerships professional at OnDeck, you'll be at the forefront of cultivating strategic relationships across government and industry while sourcing and mapping opportunities. You'll collaborate closely with the CEO and CTO to design a go-to-market strategy that drives customer acquisition and retention. Additionally, you'll focus on revenue growth by landing deals that not only meet our targets but also enhance customer lifetime value, securing blended financing to help scale our innovative AI solutions.

The preferred qualifications for the Growth & Partnerships role at OnDeck include a strong understanding of AI and SaaS, along with the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced startup environment. Experience as a founder or early-stage team member is a plus, as well as having strong analytical skills to make informed decisions based on data. Exceptional writing skills and the capability to build high-level business relationships will also contribute positively to this role.

At OnDeck, you can expect a dynamic and collaborative work environment that thrives on hard work and innovation. With flexible working hours and hybrid work options, employees have the freedom to choose their work location, potentially even from a beach. Significant emphasis is placed on team bonding through organized outings like sailing days, office lunches, and wellness activities, fostering a culture of support and connection.

The Growth & Partnerships role at OnDeck offers incredible growth opportunities, especially as you'll take on core responsibilities that directly impact business outcomes. You’ll gain exposure to enterprise and government sectors, learning how to build relationships with key players while scaling a startup from Seed to Series A revenues. This position is tailored for those eager to expand their expertise in AI and SaaS businesses while making meaningful contributions to ocean conservation.

OnDeck offers a suite of extraordinary benefits for the Growth & Partnerships role, including health and wellness spending accounts to support personal medical and wellness needs. Additionally, you can enjoy a flexible work schedule, team events, and social outings, including things like sailing days and participation in significant startup events. There's also a competitive base salary ranging from $55,000 to $75,000, reflecting the extraordinary work expected from each team member.

When approaching partner cultivation, I prioritize understanding the potential partner's goals and challenges. I actively listen to their needs and articulate how a partnership could be mutually beneficial. Creating a tailored strategy for outreach and maintaining regular communication helps build trust, which is crucial for establishing a successful long-term relationship.

I would employ a strategic framework to prioritize opportunities based on their potential impact on revenue growth, alignment with our mission, and resource availability. Regular team discussions ensure that everyone is aligned and allows for quick pivoting when necessary, always being mindful of maintaining flexibility in fast-paced settings.

My experience in designing go-to-market strategies involves conducting thorough market research to understand customer needs and pain points, alongside competitive analysis. Collaborating with cross-functional teams—like marketing and sales—helps to ensure smooth execution while being able to adapt strategies based on real-time feedback during the rollout.

In my last role, I implemented a targeted customer acquisition plan that included personalized outreach campaigns and strategic partnerships. By analyzing customer behavior and feedback, I tailored our messaging to resonate more deeply with potential customers, leading to a 20% increase in acquisition over six months.

To enhance customer retention, I would focus on enhancing communication and support. Regular check-ins and gathering feedback create a dialogue that fosters trust and enables us to address any issues swiftly. Additionally, offering value through education and community engagement can significantly improve customer loyalty.

Success in growth and partnerships can be measured through various key performance indicators (KPIs), such as the number of partnerships established, revenue generated from those partnerships, and overall customer satisfaction levels. Tracking these metrics alongside regular reviews helps to adjust strategies as needed to ensure continuous improvement.

In a previous partnership role, I faced challenges when a partner expressed hesitance about proceeding due to misaligned expectations. To resolve this, I initiated a candid conversation to clarify any misconceptions and actively sought their input to find common ground. By adjusting our approach based on their feedback, we not only salvaged the partnership but strengthened it moving forward.

Data plays a crucial role in my decision-making process. I rely on analytics to inform strategies and guide discussions with potential partners. By leveraging data, I can provide actionable insights that validate our direction, making the case stronger to stakeholders while fostering a data-driven culture within the team.

Addressing a partner's dissatisfaction promptly is key to maintaining that relationship. I would arrange a conversation to listen actively to their concerns and gather as much context as possible. Once I understand their perspective, we can collaboratively explore solutions to meet their needs and re-establish their trust.

The biggest challenge in the Growth & Partnerships role at OnDeck may involve navigating the fast-paced nature of the startup environment, especially when it comes to meeting growth targets. However, I view this as an opportunity to be adaptable and innovative, leveraging insights and market feedback to turn challenges into achievements.