Senior Director, Business Development

The Launch Partnership, LLC; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Launch Partnership, LLC is seeking a senior BD professional to own growth across our programs in Austin or Calgary. You will source and close new partnerships, sponsorships, and international expansion deals, then manage and grow those relationships.

This is an in-person role in Austin, or in Calgary. Responsibilities include owning the full BD cycle, building a diverse partner pipeline, driving international expansion, and managing renewals.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in business development, partnerships, or sales.
• Track record of closing multi-stakeholder deals in education or investment programs, or adjacent spaces.
• Experience in sourcing partners, navigating different markets, and building trust across cultures.
• Strong as both a hunter and a relationship manager.
• Fluent in the startup and venture ecosystem.
• Highly organized and self-directed.

Responsibilities

• Own the full BD cycle: sourcing, structuring, negotiating, and closing partnerships.
• Build and grow a pipeline that includes governments, universities, accelerators, and corporate innovation teams.
• Drive international expansion by identifying and developing new markets and regional partners.
• Manage renewals and expand existing partnerships.
• Develop go-to-market strategies for all LAUNCH programs.
• Represent LAUNCH at conferences and partner meetings globally.

Skills

Business development

Partnerships

Sales

Hunter mindset

Relationship management

Cross-cultural communication

Job description

LAUNCH is a venture capital and media firm, founded by Jason Calacanis. Our programs include Founder University, the LAUNCH Accelerator, The Syndicate, Angel University, and other initiatives serving early-stage founders and investors worldwide.

The Role

We are hiring a senior BD professional to own growth across our programs. You will source and close new partnerships, sponsorships, and international expansion deals, then manage and grow those relationships. This is an in-person role in Austin, or in Calgary.

Responsibilities

Own the full BD cycle: sourcing, structuring, negotiating, and closing partnerships.

Build and grow a pipeline that includes governments, universities, accelerators, and corporate innovation teams.

Drive international expansion by identifying and developing new markets and regional partners.

Manage renewals and expand existing partnerships.

Develop go-to-market strategies for all LAUNCH programs.

Represent LAUNCH at conferences and partner meetings globally.

What We're Looking For

7+ years in business development, partnerships, or sales.

Track record of closing multi-stakeholder deals in education or investment programs, or adjacent spaces.

Experience in sourcing partners, navigating different markets, and building trust across cultures.

Strong as both a hunter and a relationship manager.

Fluent in the startup and venture ecosystem.

Highly organized and self-directed.

Why Join Us

Direct exposure to Jason Calacanis and LAUNCH leadership.

Lead a function with significant expansion potential and international scope.

In-person in Austin with a high-output team.

Competitive compensation with upside tied to program growth.