VP, Strategy & Development

MediaAlpha; Santa Monica (CA); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

RSU program

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

PTO & holidays

Learning stipend

Parental leave

Dog-friendly offices

Job summary

MediaAlpha is seeking a Vice President of Strategy & Development to join as a high-impact individual contributor reporting to the CEO. You will own strategic partnerships, explore AI/LLM platforms, and shape growth through pilots, product scoping, and investment cases.

You will build relationships with carriers, publishers, and insurtech partners, translating insights into execution and cross‑functional alignment across the organization.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience owning and closing complex partnerships or business development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and manage partnerships outside standard demand/supply models, including AI/LLM platforms and data providers.
• Launch pilots, build investment cases, and translate market trends into actionable opportunities for the business.

Skills

Strategic Partnerships

Business Development

Cross-functional influence

Commercial instincts

Insurtech knowledge

Digital marketing / adtech

Job description

MediaAlpha is a customer acquisition solutions provider powered by technology and data science. The company provides industry-leading solutions designed to reach consumers shopping within high-consideration categories such as property and casualty insurance, health insurance, life insurance, and more.

Hybrid: 3x/week in-office

Role Overview

MediaAlpha is looking for a Vice President of Strategy & Development to join our team. This is a high-impact individual contributor role reporting directly to the CEO.

This role sits at the intersection of partnerships and growth. You'll build and manage strategic relationships outside our standard carrier and publisher channels, including building MediaAlpha's presence with AI and LLM platforms as distribution and demand channels evolve. You'll also identify and develop new opportunities, scoping products, launching pilots, and making the case for bigger bets. We're not looking for someone to run a strategy process. We're looking for someone who gets into the business, figures out how things actually work, and builds.

The right candidate brings deep strategic and analytical skills, genuine curiosity, and the operating instincts to move from insight to execution. Success here means developing a real understanding of MediaAlpha's advertising marketplace, our carrier and agent relationships, our publisher partnerships, and the broader insurance distribution landscape. You'll learn how the business works before recommending how to change it, and earn trust with carriers, partners, and internal stakeholders through rigor and follow-through.

Responsibilities

Strategic Partnerships

Identify, develop, and manage partnerships outside our standard demand and supply models, including:

• AI and LLM platforms, such as ad platform integrations and AI-native distribution
• Data providers covering pre-fill, targeting, predictive, and telematics data
• Insurtech ecosystem partners: raters, CRMs, LMS platforms, and agency groups
• Core insurance platforms such as Guidewire
• Non-traditional demand channels including paid search providers and agency networks
• Other partner categories that emerge from market trends or strategic priorities

Identify and develop opportunities that expand MediaAlpha's footprint over time:

• Size new markets and adjacencies we are considering entering
• Scope new products or features that emerge from partnership and market development work
• Launch and manage pilots that test new business models or distribution approaches
• Build investment cases for opportunities that warrant larger organizational commitment
• Stay current on emerging trends across insurtech, adtech, and AI, and translate that into actionable opportunities for the business

Requirements

• 10 or more years of experience, with at least 5 years owning and closing complex partnerships or business development initiatives, not just supporting them
• A track record of building new business opportunities from the ground up through execution, in environments where the playbook did not already exist
• Strong commercial instincts: the ability to assess a partnership or market opportunity, build a clear model, and drive a decision
• Proven ability to influence and align cross‑functional stakeholders, including executive audiences, without direct authority
• Experience leading external partnerships in technology, media, or financial services
• Familiarity with digital marketing, advertising technology, or customer acquisition is strongly preferred
• Knowledge of the insurance or insurtech landscape is a plus

We are excited to offer a competitive base pay range of $225,000 to $325,000 per year for this position, based on experience and qualifications. But that's not all - as a valued member of our team, you will also have access to an array of top-notch benefits, including:

• Annual bonus program and participation in our Restricted Stock Unit program
• 100% Employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for you, your dependents, and spouse or registered domestic partner
• 100% Employer paid long term disability, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with matching contributions to help you plan for your future
• Open Paid Time Off policy with a Birthday Hookie day off, 13 holidays, and 5 Recharge days
• Professional development reimbursement along with a subscription to LinkedIn LearningCell Phone, Wellness, and Internet expense reimbursement, along with a subscription to the Calm App
• 100% fully paid parental leave for team members up to 22 weeks for the primary caregiver and 12 weeks for the secondary caregiver
• Dog-friendly offices (LA and AZ) along with a $300 pet adoption reimbursement

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

MediaAlpha is committed to fostering, cultivating, and maintaining a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our philosophy and actions are built on the premise that as an employer and citizens of our communities, we can create opportunities for lasting change.

MediaAlpha will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local "Fair Chance" laws. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans in our application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [e-mail] or [phone].