Strategic Partnerships Manager

About the role

Aven Hospitality is an innovative technology provider powered by SynXis®, the leading global hospitality commerce and distribution platform. We empower hoteliers around the world to exceed expectations, solve daily challenges, and stay ahead of the competition.

With our comprehensive portfolio of solutions, hoteliers can manage distribution, retailing, payments, operations, and more. Providing hoteliers the tools to maximize revenue, improve operational efficiency, and deliver personalized guest experiences that drive satisfaction.

Our tools are built to seamlessly integrate with each hotelier's unique strategy, elevating guest satisfaction and creating meaningful connections.

We are pioneering AI in hospitality technology to unlock new opportunities, drive efficiency, and personalize the guest experience. By prioritizing stability, scalability, and data-driven insights, we equip hoteliers to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing landscape, ready for whatever comes next..

As Strategic Partnerships Manager, you will help develop, negotiate, launch, and manage partnerships that strengthen Aven's product ecosystem and create new revenue opportunities. You will work cross functionally with Product, Finance, Legal, Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Executive Leadership to ensure partnerships are strategically aligned, commercially sound, and successfully executed.

This role blends strategy, business development, commercial negotiation, program management, and partner account leadership into a highly visible position with meaningful impact across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Development & Management

• Source, evaluate, negotiate, and launch new partnership opportunities.
• Manage a portfolio of strategic, marketplace, technology, and referral partners.
• Develop business cases, commercial models, and executive recommendations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partner executives and stakeholders.

Commercial & Operational Execution

• Coordinate contract negotiations and partner onboarding activities.
• Monitor partnership performance and identify opportunities to expand value.
• Collaborate with Finance and Operations to support forecasting, reporting, invoicing, and revenue tracking.
• Ensure partnership programs are well-documented and operationalized.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Product teams to evaluate integrations and solution fit.
• Collaborate with Marketing on go-to-market activities, co-marketing programs, and partner launches.
• Work with Legal to support contract development and governance processes.
• Prepare executive presentations, business reviews, and strategic recommendations for senior leadership.

Ecosystem Growth & Innovation

• Track emerging trends and technologies across hospitality, travel, fintech, AI, and SaaS ecosystems.
• Identify opportunities to expand Aven's platform and partner network.
• Support strategic initiatives that improve customer outcomes, strengthen platform differentiation, and create scalable partnership value.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, alliances, corporate development, or related commercial roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex cross-functional initiatives and external partner relationships.
• Demonstrated success negotiating commercial agreements and partnership programs.
• Experience building business cases, financial models, and executive presentations.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in hospitality technology, travel technology, SaaS, fintech, payments, marketplaces, or digital platforms.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM tools, contract management processes, and executive-level reporting.
• MBA or equivalent business experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)/Competencies

• Leadership capabilities
• Cultural agility
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Adaptability and growth mindset
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Culture alignment
• Global collaboration

Core Behavior Expectations

Successful employees at Aven consistently demonstrate behaviors aligned to the Aven A's:

• Ambition - Taking initiative, raising the bar, and striving for better outcomes
• Action - Turning ideas into results and driving work forward
• Acumen - Applying sound judgment, curiosity, and business understanding to make informed decisions

Working Environment / Travel Requirements

• Travel expectations are less than 10%
• This opportunity could be worked remotely in the US
• Physical requirements are minimal

Outstanding Benefits

• Very competitive compensation
• Generous Paid Time Off (25 PTO days)
• 8 Hours of Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
• We offer a comprehensive medical, dental and Wellness Program
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• An infrastructure that allows flexible working arrangements
• Formal and informal reward, recognition and acknowledgement programs
• Lots of fun and engaging employee development events