Strategic Alliances & Partnerships Manager
Job Description
ABOUT RETELL AI
Retell AI is using first principles to reimagine the call center with cutting-edge voice AI.
Thousands of companies now utilize Retell’s AI voice agents to handle sales, support, and logistics calls that once required large teams of human agents. Backed by Y Combinator, Alt Capital, and other leading investors, we have scaled to $60M ARR with a team of 40 people, up from $5M at the start of 2025.
Our vision for 2026 is to build a modern CX platform where entire contact centers are powered by AI. Instead of basic automation that needs constant human tuning, we’re creating intelligent AI “workers” that can act as frontline agents, QA analysts, and managers — continuously executing, monitoring, and improving customer interactions.
We’re growing quickly and looking for ambitious builders who want to tackle hard technical problems, move fast, and have real impact at one of the fastest-growing voice AI startups.
Let’s build the future together.
We’re a top 50 AI app in a16z list: a16z Top AI Apps
#4 on Brex's Fast-Growing Software Vendors of 2025: Brex Benchmark 2025
We're also one of the top ranking startups on: Lean AI Leaderboard
Enterprise Tech 30: Wing Venture Capital ET30
ABOUT THE ROLE
We’re looking for a Strategic Alliances & Partnerships Manager to help build and scale Retell AI’s ecosystem partnerships and go-to-market alliances.
In this role, you’ll identify, negotiate, and manage strategic relationships across cloud providers, AI platforms, systems integrators, channel partners, and enterprise technology ecosystems. You’ll work directly with founders and GTM leadership to expand Retell AI’s market reach, drive partner-sourced pipeline, and develop long-term strategic relationships that accelerate company growth.
This is a highly cross-functional role that combines business development, partnerships, strategic relationship management, and ecosystem growth. We’re looking for someone who is commercially minded, highly relationship-oriented, and excited to operate in a fast-moving startup environment with significant ownership.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Identify, source, negotiate, and manage strategic partnerships across cloud providers, AI companies, systems integrators, channel partners, and enterprise technology ecosystems
Build and scale co-sell, referral, marketplace, and channel partnership programs that generate qualified pipeline and repeatable revenue
Own partnership execution end-to-end, including relationship management, joint business planning, commercial negotiations, and partner performance management
Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with strategic customers, industry leaders, and ecosystem stakeholders
Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Product, and Solutions Engineering teams on joint go-to-market initiatives and ecosystem growth strategies
Support partner enablement efforts including onboarding, training, co-marketing initiatives, and sales collaboration
Represent Retell AI at conferences, partner events, executive meetings, and industry engagements
Gather market intelligence, competitive insights, and partner feedback to help inform GTM and product strategy
YOU MIGHT THRIVE IF
You’re highly relationship-oriented and naturally enjoy building trust with customers, partners, and executives
You’re commercially minded and excited by pipeline generation, partnerships, and business growth
You enjoy operating in ambiguous, fast-moving startup environments with high ownership
You’re comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution
You communicate clearly and can influence both internal stakeholders and external executives
You enjoy networking, attending industry events, and representing the company externally
You learn quickly and enjoy understanding technical products and AI infrastructure ecosystems
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
3+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, strategic alliances, channel sales, or ecosystem development
Experience managing enterprise technology partnerships or GTM alliances in SaaS, infrastructure, AI, or cloud ecosystems
Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills
Experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Product, and technical teams
Strong organizational and operational skills with the ability to manage multiple partnership initiatives simultaneously
Experience building or scaling co-sell, referral, channel, or marketplace programs
Nice to Haves
Experience working with cloud providers or AI ecosystem companies
Experience managing executive-level relationships and strategic accounts
Experience operating in high-growth startup environments
Existing network within enterprise SaaS, AI, infrastructure, or CX ecosystems
JOB DETAILS
Cash: 170k - 230k + Meaningful Equity
Travel: Frequent travel required for conferences, partner meetings, customer engagements, and ecosystem events
Reporting Structure: Directly reports to company leadership and works closely with GTM, Product, and Engineering teams
Location: Redwood City, CA, US
US Visas: Retell AI is open to sponsoring work authorization for qualified candidates, including H1B/H-1B, TN, L-1, E-3, F-1 (OPT/CPT), and O-1 visas.
OTHER BENEFITS
100% coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurance
$70/day DoorDash credit for unlimited breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
$200/month wellness reimbursement (gym, fitness classes, etc.)
$300/month commuter reimbursement (gas, Caltrain, etc.)
$75/month phone bill reimbursement
$50/month internet reimbursement
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
High Ownership: Small teams, rapid execution, and meaningful business impact
Performance-Oriented: Success is measured through relationship quality, pipeline generation, and ecosystem growth
Top Talent Density: Work alongside ambitious operators and builders at one of the fastest-growing AI startups
Career Growth: Strong performers will have opportunities to expand into broader strategic partnerships and GTM leadership roles
INTERVIEW PROCESS
Recruiter Screen (15 mins): Conversation focused on communication style, relationship-building ability, startup readiness, and work expectations
First Round (30 mins): Live business development and communication exercise focused on influence, positioning, and commercial instincts
Second Round (30 mins): Interactive working session with our Sales team designed to evaluate relationship-building ability, strategic thinking, communication skills, and how candidates navigate real-world partnership and business conversations.
Onsite (3 hours): Cross-functional interviews focused on strategic thinking, relationship management, execution ability, and collaboration across GTM teams