Head of Creator Partnerships

The Head of Creator Partnerships at Substack is responsible for leading a team tasked with recruiting and supporting influential creators. This role involves developing onboarding strategies, managing growth metrics like creator acquisition and retention, and fostering relationships with creators and industry stakeholders. Additionally, this position requires collaboration across various departments to enhance the creator experience and overall outreach.

To qualify for the Head of Creator Partnerships position at Substack, candidates should have 8+ years of experience in creator partnerships or business development within digital media, along with strong leadership and communication skills. A deep understanding of the creator landscape, empathy towards creators, and a proven ability to drive measurable growth are essential attributes for this role.

Substack crafts a supportive environment for its creators by empowering them with economic autonomy and creative ownership. The Head of Creator Partnerships will be instrumental in defining strategies that help creators build successful subscription businesses and establish vibrant communities, all tailored to their unique needs and ambitions.

As the Head of Creator Partnerships at Substack, you can expect a fast-moving, entrepreneurial team culture that encourages creative problem-solving and ownership. This role involves inspiring and managing a team focused on meeting ambitious growth goals, indicating a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

The Head of Creator Partnerships will have numerous opportunities to represent Substack by participating in industry events, speaking engagements, and media interactions. This external role is crucial in positioning Substack as a leader in independent media while promoting our mission to empower creators.

In onboarding top-tier creators, I’d leverage a personalized approach, creating individualized plans that focus on their unique brand and audience. I would also emphasize providing comprehensive resources, mentorship, and ongoing support to ensure their transition to the platform is seamless and productive.

Success in this role can be measured through key performance indicators such as creator acquisition rates, subscription revenue growth, and creator retention metrics. Additionally, qualitative feedback from creators about their support experience would also serve as an important measure of success.

My experience in the creator economy includes developing strong connections with various stakeholders such as creators, talent managers, and industry leaders. I focus on authentic engagement, understanding their objectives, and aligning them with partnership opportunities that benefit both parties.

I routinely engage with industry reports, follow key thought leaders on social media, and attend relevant conferences and webinars. This keeps me informed of emerging trends, audience behaviors, and new tools, ensuring that our strategies are timely and relevant.

In my previous role, I managed a team where we needed to scale our creator partnerships quickly. By fostering a culture of agility and creativity, I implemented regular brainstorming sessions that empowered team members to pitch their ideas. This approach rallied the team around common goals and resulted in a significant increase in our creator engagement metrics.

Empathy is crucial in understanding the challenges creators face. In my approach, I actively listen to their concerns, validate their experiences, and provide tailored support that addresses their unique circumstances, allowing us to build trust and long-term relationships.

To manage conflicting priorities, I would facilitate open communication among teams to discuss their respective goals and challenges. By promoting collaboration and evaluating the broader impact of each priority, we can align efforts and support each other in achieving our objectives.

I plan to advocate for creators by synthesizing their feedback and presenting their needs to the product and support teams. Through regular collaboration sessions, I would ensure that our strategies are aligned with creator feedback to enhance their experience on the platform.

My vision for the future of the creator economy revolves around autonomy and sustainability. I believe that as independent platforms grow, creators will increasingly have the power to shape their own paths without reliance on traditional media. This shift will foster more diverse and innovative content, benefiting both creators and audiences.

To promote Substack's value proposition, I would highlight our focus on creator autonomy, direct audience connections, and robust monetization opportunities. By showcasing success stories and emphasizing our commitment to empowering creators, I would create compelling narratives that resonate with potential talent.