Partnership Manager - Autonomous Vehicle

Freenow; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Health Insurance

Sabbatical & special leave policies

Employee assistance program

Mobility Credit

LinkedIn Learning

Job summary

Freenow is seeking a Senior Partnership Manager – Autonomous Vehicle to manage AV partnerships across Europe. This role is critical in developing and maintaining key relationships while driving negotiations.

The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience in strategic partnerships within the European automotive ecosystem, with a strong focus on managing complex relationships. The position offers flexible arrangements and benefits like health insurance and remote work options.

Qualifications

• Experience in strategic partnerships within the European automotive or mobility ecosystem.
• Established relationships with European AV companies.
• Ability to manage complex negotiations with multiple parties.

Responsibilities

• Manage Lyft Europe’s AV partner relationships.
• Steer negotiations and coordinate input from specialists.
• Track partner deliverables and resolve issues proactively.
• Expand the scope and scale of partnerships.

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Negotiation

Commercial relationships

Communication skills

European automotive knowledge

Autonomy

Education

7+ years of experience in relevant field

Job description

Location: Berlin, Hamburg or London

Freenow by Lyft • Empowering smarter mobility decisions to help people move freely and cities thrive.

We are leading the future of autonomous mobility in Europe and are hiring a Senior Partnership Manager – Autonomous Vehicle to drive AV partnerships for Freenow by Lyft, across the AV ecosystem in multiple countries. You will manage European partner relationships end‑to‑end, cultivate a pipeline of new opportunities, and help establish Lyft as the region's preferred AV commercialisation partner. This highly collaborative, fast‑paced role offers significant autonomy, a chance to shape an emerging industry, and the position of Lyft's most senior AV partnership presence in Europe.

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of owning complex, “first‑of‑a‑kind” multi‑party commercial relationships, from initial deal structuring through long‑term growth. Prior experience in the European mobility or automotive ecosystem is a plus. You are an expert communicator, able to manage complex negotiations and operate at the executive level with diverse partners across different cultures and geographies. You excel at building trust, navigating ambiguity, and driving critical deals forward with minimal day‑to‑day oversight.

Are you ready to work at the cutting edge of mobility in a multinational, diverse, highly motivated, and collaborative team of passionate professionals who strive for excellence and like to have fun? Are you ready for your next ride?

Your daily adventures will include:

• Own Lyft Europe’s AV partner relationships end‑to‑end, serving as the primary external point of contact for partner leadership in the region.
• Steer negotiations across our partnerships, coordinating input from cross‑functional specialists and navigating complex commercial structures.
• Lead European top‑of‑funnel origination, identifying, qualifying, and advancing new AV partner conversations across the European ecosystem.
• Track partner deliverables and milestones across active partnerships, proactively flagging risks and resolving commercial issues before they escalati
• Manage ongoing partner relationships and own the vision for our in‑flight deployments, identifying opportunities to expand the scope and scale of each partnership.
• Manage partner‑side reporting obligations and ensure Lyft's commitments are met on time and to a high standard.
• Serve as Lyft's eyes and ears in the European AV market — tracking new entrants, funding rounds, partnerships, and competitive moves to inform pipeline prioritisation and strategy.
• Work closely with the wider Freenow teams across Europe to ensure alignment on European market strategy and leverage local expertise and relationships.
• Represent the European perspective in Lyft's global AV Business Development strategy discussions.

To be successful in this role:

• 7+ years of experience in strategic partnerships with deep knowledge of the European automotive or mobility ecosystem.
• Established relationships with European AV companies, OEMs, or fleet operators.
• Demonstrated track record of owning senior‑level commercial relationships with complex, multi‑party stakeholders.
• Strong commercial instincts, able to read a deal structure, identify risks, and negotiate effectively.
• Comfortable operating with significant autonomy in a remote setup, able to represent Freenow/Lyft at a senior level externally without close day‑to‑day oversight.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional European languages (German, French, Spanish) are a plus.
• Experience working with or across Chinese technology companies is a plus.
• Prior exposure to the EU mobility regulatory landscape is a plus.

Benefits & Perks in a nutshell:

• Flexible working arrangements
• LinkedIn Learning
• Sabbatical & special leave policies
• WeRoad partnership
• Birthday, 24th + 31st December off
• Short‑term EU work policy
• Mobility Credit
• Health Insurance
• Employee assistance program

Plus more local benefits depending on your work location!

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Freenow is an equal‑opportunity employer and we consider qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or age. We want you to grow and evolve, bring your true self to work.

About Freenow

Freenow by Lyft empowers smarter mobility decisions, helping people to move freely and cities to thrive. Through our multi‑mobility app, we feature broad options for everyone across 9 European markets and over 180 cities—millions of passengers can access services including taxis, private hire vehicles, carsharing, car rental, e‑scooters, e‑bikes, e‑mopeds, and public transport within a single app. In July 2025, Freenow was acquired by Lyft, a global mobility platform that connects riders and drivers for billions of rides across North America and Europe. Together, Freenow and Lyft are creating a more caring and connected world, with transportation for everyone. We are a global, diverse, highly motivated, and collaborative team that strives for excellence and likes to have fun. Ready for your next ride?