Partnerships Lead

About Sent

Sent is an infrastructure for sending A2P messages across SMS, WhatsApp, and RCS through a single unified API. Our intelligent routing model automates channel selection based on deliverability and cost, ensuring lower cost and global reach without any channel-specific integrations.

We recently closed a $5.1M Seed round backed by Companyon Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, UIF, and CEAS Investments. We're hiring to build the best infrastructure to replace multi-channel messaging stacks.

About the Role

We're hiring a Partnerships Lead, specialized in VC and strategic partners, to build Sent's partner ecosystem across the venture and developer tools landscape. You'll own the full lifecycle - identifying high-leverage partnerships, structuring agreements, launching integrations, and driving co-sell revenue.

A huge part of this role is working the VC portfolio angle: building relationships with portfolio ops and platform teams, getting Sent embedded as the messaging layer for portfolio companies, and creating repeatable motions that turn warm intros into real adoption.

Because Sent is an API-first product, this isn't a role where you can hand-wave the technical details. You need to understand how developers evaluate and adopt infrastructure, speak credibly about APIs and integrations, and ideally have built things yourself. The best version of this person has spent time in venture and still ships side projects on weekends.

This is a build-from-scratch role. You'll define the strategy, close the first wave of partnerships, then operationalize what works into scalable programs as Sent grows.

What You'll Do

VC Portfolio Partnerships

• Build relationships with platform, portfolio ops, and growth teams at VC firms

• Create programs that drive Sent adoption across portfolio companies

• Develop scalable playbooks for portfolio-level distribution - onboarding flows, co-branded content, portfolio deal structures

Strategic & Integration Partnerships

• Identify and prioritize partnerships across developer tools, CRMs, marketing platforms, and marketplaces based on revenue potential and integration value

• Structure partnership agreements - co-sell, referral, integration, and reseller models

• Negotiate commercial terms, SLAs, and GTM commitments

• Coordinate with product and engineering on integration roadmaps and technical requirements

Ecosystem & GTM

• Launch co-marketing and co-sell programs that generate measurable pipeline

• Host in-person events and represent Sent at partner events, conferences, and industry forums

• Track partner-sourced revenue, integration adoption, and ecosystem health metrics

• Report performance to leadership and shape broader GTM strategy

What You'll Bring

Required

• 3–5 years in VC (investing, platform, or portfolio ops) or partnerships/BD at a developer-focused company

• Experience structuring and closing partnership agreements - not just sourcing

• Strong understanding of API ecosystems, SaaS business models, and how developers adopt infrastructure

• Technically conversational - you can demo an API, read docs, and talk integration architecture with engineers

• Proven ability to build programs that generate measurable revenue or adoption

• Comfortable working cross-functionally with product, engineering, and sales

• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills

• Located in NYC or willing to relocate

Nice to Have

• You build side projects, hack on APIs, or have shipped something yourself

• Previous experience building a partnerships function from scratch

• Existing network across VC platform teams and/or the developer tools ecosystem

• Familiarity with messaging, CPaaS, or communications infrastructure

What Makes This Role Special

• Own the function. Build Sent's partnerships org from strategy to execution - this is your team to build.

• Massive surface area. Messaging touches every SaaS company, CRM, and communication platform. The partner ecosystem is enormous.

• VC-native distribution. Use your venture network as a real go-to-market channel, not just a Rolodex.

• Revenue impact. Partnerships directly drive adoption, integration depth, and deal size. Your work shows up in the numbers.

• Cross-functional influence. Shape product roadmap through partner requirements and integration priorities.

Our Commitment to You

• Meaningful equity with high growth potential

• Top-tier medical, dental, vision fully covered

• 401(k) with 100% match up to 4%

• Unlimited PTO

• Beautiful NYC workspace with daily meals and unlimited snacks

• New MacBook Pro + Apple Studio Display

• Wellhub Gold or Equinox membership

Sent, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.