VC Partnerships Lead: Build a Scalable Startup Ecosystem

Sprites; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Campfire in San Francisco is seeking a strategic, well-connected partnerships leader to build our venture capital partnerships function from the ground up. You'll design and run a scalable program that engages venture firms and the broader startup ecosystem.

The ideal candidate has already built a VC partnerships program from scratch, ideally at a technology startup, with a proven ability to turn partnerships into pipeline and revenue, and strong executive presence to earn trust with senior

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of experience in partnerships, business development, venture capital, startup ecosystems, or a related commercial role.
• Proven experience taking a VC partnerships role, function, or program from zero to a repeatable operating model.
• Established relationships and credibility with VC firms, investors, founders, and startup ecosystem leaders.
• A track record of partnerships that delivered measurable business results.
• Strong executive presence and the ability to earn trust with senior external partners and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Data-driven judgment, including the ability to define KPIs and clearly report on partnership performance and impact.
• Comfort working in a fast-moving environment.
• A collaborative, low-ego approach: you're happy to roll up your sleeves, work across teams, and learn from our Head of PE & VC Practice.
• Willingness to be on the ground in San Francisco, attending several VC and ecosystem events each week.

Responsibilities

• Design, launch, and own our VC partnerships strategy.
• Build senior relationships with venture capital firms, accelerators, and other startup ecosystem partners.
• Create partnership programs that deliver value to both sides, including customer introductions, portfolio company engagement, co-marketing, thought leadership, and strategic intelligence.
• Serve as the main point of contact for VC partners, with a clear and consistent story for why they should work with us.
• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Product, Customer Success, Strategy, and Executive Leadership to turn partnership activity into pipeline, revenue, adoption, and brand impact.
• Build repeatable ways to source and manage opportunities from VC partners, including referral processes, partner enablement, reporting, and feedback loops.
• Develop executive relationship plans for priority firms, and bring in senior leadership where it will strengthen the partnership.
• Host and run our own VC events, and represent the company at industry events, investor meetings, portfolio company forums, and ecosystem gatherings.
• Track market trends, investment activity, and emerging companies to spot strategic opportunities and inform internal decisions.

Skills

Partnerships

Business development

Venture capital

Startup ecosystems

Strategic alliances

Commercial role

Job description

Campfire in San Francisco is seeking a strategic, well-connected partnerships leader to build our venture capital partnerships function from the ground up. You'll design and run a scalable program that engages venture firms and the broader startup ecosystem.

The ideal candidate has already built a VC partnerships program from scratch, ideally at a technology startup, with a proven ability to turn partnerships into pipeline and revenue, and strong executive presence to earn trust with senior