The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.

JOB TITLE: Strategic Partner Manager, Technology and AI

DEPARTMENT: Americas Revenue

REPORTS TO: Group VP, National, LatAm and Strategic Partnerships

The Associated Press is seeking a highly motivated and strategic partnerships manager to join the Americas Revenue team in New York, NY.

The Americas Revenue team is responsible for managing, developing and innovating with some of the largest and most sophisticated media and technology companies in the world. Our customers and partners include networks, major media organizations, broadcast, audio, digital and print publications in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Additionally, this team explores new strategic revenue opportunities with key partners across a range of industries and emerging markets, including technology, AI, financial services, non-profits and government organizations.

The successful candidate will be a success-driven, detail-oriented, fast-paced and innovative partner lead who will drive exploration, scoping and execution of new business and revenue opportunities across technology and AI partnerships. In this role you will manage and optimize existing technology and AI relationships while also working to identify opportunities with new partners, owning the cycle from lead generation to developing business terms and negotiating agreements to close and ongoing account management and engagement.  Meeting revenue goals and defined strategic milestones is imperative to success in the role. 

This is a complex, cross-functional role, liaising with product, technology and editorial leaders to yield revenue gain and build durable, long-term collaborations for the AP. The candidate will be confident and assertive in both external and internal meetings, will possess strong relationship-building skills, is consultative in their approach to help foster growth opportunities in new industries, comfortable in a rapidly changing environment and take a proactive and strategic approach to business and partner development. They will have the ability to bridge short-term goals with longer-term strategy and will create a well-ordered framework of action, executing with pace. In this role, they will analyze a challenge with structured thinking, are comfortable with ambiguity and can adapt their approach to reconcile with evolving priorities.

They will be part of an innovative team forging new ground at the intersection of data, technology and content. In addition, they will be an ambassador for AP’s mission, integrity, standards and values.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the planning and execution of AP’s overall revenue diversification strategies, specifically driving business growth with Americas-based technology and AI partners.
• Identify and develop strategic recommendations on business and partnership models for data and content licensing, content creation and/or distribution on partner platforms, products and/or services, rooted in a mastery of media and industry trends.
• Work with cross-functional stakeholders to define and launch complex strategic partner initiatives and partner licenses.
• Build new revenue streams through proactively and creatively engaging partners; gather and understand complex partner needs, technology platforms, content and IP rights demands, issues and priorities.
• Craft product and program launch roadmaps in collaboration with cross-functional teams, identifying and utilizing appropriate internal resources to deliver against partner needs and priorities.
• Evaluate and develop new business engagement models that could apply to a wide range of news industry partners.
• Meet and/or exceed assigned sales goals and strategic objectives through a consultative, creative business development approach and maintaining existing products and licenses.
• Orchestrate broad, deeply connected relationships between major clients and the AP in all necessary and appropriate departments (i.e. editorial & technology), expanding and elevating AP’s relationships within organizations to the executive/senior level.
• Assume ownership of prospecting, proposal creation and delivery, post-sales follow-up and ongoing account management, issue resolution, and partner satisfaction – oversight of the entire partner life cycle. 
• Create and maintain accurate and thorough reporting on partner deals for regular review with C-level and other management.
• Provide ongoing reporting on partner activities and new business opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience including at least six (6) years of partner or partner-facing experience in the media and technology platform sector.
• Proven experience initiating and driving revenue and business opportunities across complex and evolving partners.
• Well versed in emerging technologies, platforms, programming and media technology along with a sharp, developed understanding of intellectual property principles and content licensing constructs. 
• Exceptional professional communication skills, able to work with key stakeholders & senior leaders (internally and externally), using appropriate level of detail and style.
• Possess solid organizational skills, is self-motivated with high ethical standards and a strong commitment to service and sales.  Both analytical and tactical sales skills with a solid business acumen is a must.
• Ability to work collaboratively, with influence, across multiple internal resources is important.
• Ability to travel, as needed.

Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English language is required.  Authorization to work in the United States is mandatory.

Location: This position will follow a hybrid work model in our New York headquarters.  

Salary & Benefits: The anticipated salary range for this position is $120,000 - 150,000— contingent on experience and other job-related factors. Employees are eligible to participate, according to the terms of the official plan documents, in a 401(k) plan, employer-sponsored health insurance plan, and are eligible for paid time off and holidays in accordance with AP policy.

Application deadline: July 22, 2024 at 11:59pm EST.

AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or status as a veteran. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.