Partnership Manager

About the Role

We're a seed-stage deeptech startup operating at the intersection of physics-informed AI, robotics, and advanced materials science - accelerating the discovery of next-generation materials for the energy sector and beyond. We're looking for a Partnership Manager to own the post-signing relationship with our strategic commercial partners and ensure that signed deals translate into real, delivered outcomes and lasting trust.

This is an on-site role based in Berlin, Germany. Visa sponsorship is not available - candidates must already have the right to work in Germany.
What You'll Do

• Own commercial partner success end-to-end and be fully accountable for delivery against agreed outcomes.
• Serve as the trusted primary counterpart for a portfolio of strategic commercial partners.
• Clarify and define what success looks like for partners beyond contract language.
• Advocate for partners internally and represent the company externally with equal clarity and credibility.
• Drive delivery through influence, not authority - coordinating across AI, chemistry, automation, and lab teams.
• Translate partner goals into clear scopes, milestones, and priorities.
• Resolve ambiguity, manage trade-offs, and maintain project momentum across complex technical workstreams.
• Communicate early and clearly when risks or changes arise to protect trust and keep expectations aligned with reality.
• Identify opportunities to grow delivered value into deeper, expanded collaboration.
• Partner closely with Business Development to shape and convert follow-on engagements.

What We're Looking For

Must-haves:

• 5+ years of experience in partnerships, consulting, customer success, or account management within complex technical environments.
• Proven track record of owning end-to-end delivery across multiple stakeholders in technical projects.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams spanning domains such as AI, chemistry, automation, and/or lab environments.
• Strong stakeholder management skills - able to represent partner interests internally and company interests externally.
• Ability to translate partner goals into scopes, milestones, and priorities with clear, precise communication.
• Proactive risk management mindset - surfaces issues early and communicates changes transparently to protect momentum and trust.
• Technical literacy in deep tech, science, or engineering - comfortable working alongside scientists and engineers.
• Calm under pressure with a high sense of ownership and accountability.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus.
• Based in or able to relocate to Berlin, Germany (on-site role; no visa sponsorship available).

Nice to have:

• Background in materials science, chemistry, cleantech, or adjacent deep-science industries.
• Experience in early-stage or scaling startup environments.
• Additional European languages.

Location & Work Arrangement

This is a full-time, on-site position based in Berlin, Germany. Candidates must have the right to work in Germany - visa sponsorship is not provided.
Compensation & Benefits

Compensation details will be discussed during the interview process. You'll be joining a well-funded seed-stage team working on genuinely hard, high-impact science and technology.