Head of Corporate Innovation and Partnership Experience

ABOUT 1871The story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 isn’t really about the fire. It’s about what happened next: A remarkable moment when the most brilliant engineers, architects, and inventors came together to build a new city. Their innovations – born of passion and practical ingenuity – shaped not just Chicago, but the modern world. What started 140 years ago continues to this day.1871 exists to inspire, equip, and support founders, growth scalers, and innovators in building great businesses. We deliver unfair advantages at scale. The team supports ~420 young companies, 200+ growth stage members and 100+ partners made up of Chicago’s brightest digital designers, engineers, and leaders shaping new technologies, disrupting old business models, and resetting the boundaries of what’s possible.Come to a place where you can share ideas, make mistakes, partner with others, work hard, grow professionally and, with a little luck, change the world. If that sounds like you, join us.ABOUT THE ROLEAs Head of Corporate Innovation & Partnership Experience, you own the full lifecycle of enterprise partnerships—from new business to renewal and expansion. You are responsible for driving growth, retention, and value delivery across 1871’s corporate members and partners.This is a hybrid leadership role spanning enterprise sales, partnership management, and member experience. You will operate at the intersection of sales, customer success, and product, turning relationships into long-term, expanding partnerships.This role requires someone who:Moves fast and creates clarity in ambiguityBalances strategy with hands-on executionIs equally comfortable closing deals and deepening relationshipsBuilds systems while delivering results in real timeYou will be a visible leader inside 1871 and across the broader tech community.WHAT YOU OWNRevenue & Partnership Growth You are responsible for building and scaling 1871’s corporate partnership revenue engine.Build, manage, and close a high-quality pipeline of corporate partners aligned to 1871’s offeringsOwn and grow a ~$3M+ partnership revenue target across new sales, renewals, and expansionConvert relationships into long-term, expanding partnershipsIdentify and activate new revenue opportunities across industries, capabilities, and networksBring discipline to pipeline management, forecasting, and deal executionUse AI-driven tools to improve pipeline quality, targeting, and conversion rates   Partner Experience & RetentionYou ensure every partner clearly understands—and realizes—the value of being part of 1871.Own the full partner lifecycle: onboarding, engagement, value delivery, renewal, and expansionEnsure partners experience measurable outcomes (e.g., connections, visibility, business opportunities)Drive retention, satisfaction, and referral through consistent, high-quality engagementServe as a senior point of contact for key enterprise partnersStrategy --> ExecutionYou translate strategy into action—quickly and effectively.Turn partnership strategy into clear priorities, actions, and resultsPartner cross-functionally (Product, Marketing, Experience) to refine offerings and positioningBuild tight feedback loops from partners to continuously improve the product and experienceDefine and track the metrics that matter (revenue, retention, engagement, ROI)Leverage AI to extract insights from partner data, feedback, and engagement signals to inform strategy and improve retentionTeam LeadershipYou build and lead a high-performing team that delivers results.Lead and develop the Partnership Experience team (2 direct reports)Set a high bar for accountability, pace, and performanceCoach the team to operate with a commercial mindset and a bias toward actionBuild systems and processes that scale with growthCommunity & Market Leadership You are a visible leader in the Chicago tech and corporate innovation community.Represent 1871 externally with credibility and energyBuild relationships from founder-level to C-suite across industriesLeverage the 1871 network to create meaningful connections and new partnership opportunitiesHelp position 1871 as a go-to platform for corporate innovation and engagementHOW YOU LEAD You are:Action-oriented – you don’t wait for perfect information; you move and adjustComfortable with ambiguity – you create structure where none existsCommercially minded – you see opportunities to grow revenue everywhereCustomer-obsessed – you think in terms of value delivered, not activities completedHighly accountable – you own outcomes, not just inputsAI-enabled operator – you leverage AI tools to accelerate pipeline development, personalize outreach, synthesize partner insights, and increase team productivityA builder – you improve systems, processes, and experiences as you goA connector – you naturally create meaningful, high-value relationshipsWHAT YOU BRING7+ years in a combination of sales, partnerships, and/or customer successProven track record of owning and growing revenue (new + existing)Experience managing enterprise or corporate relationshipsStrong operator, able to move from strategy to execution quicklyExperience leading and developing teamsFamiliarity with AI-enabled tools across sales, customer success, or operations (e.g., CRM automation, prospecting tools, analytics platforms)Comfortable using CRM tools (HubSpot preferred) and data to drive decisionsWHY THIS ROLE MATTERS This role sits at the center of 1871’s growth.Success means:More high-quality corporate partners in the communityStronger, longer-lasting relationshipsIncreased revenue and reinvestment into the communityA partnership experience that is differentiated, measurable, and scalableBENEFITS 1871 offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, 401k, unlimited PTO, opportunities to participate in workshops and events, and more!PERKSIn addition to our impressive benefits, there are other fun reasons to work with us.Work at the center of Chicago tech innovation.Unparalleled access to opportunities and networking with some of the biggest players in tech.Convenient downtown locationCasual environment and dress codeWork as part of a diverse teamRemote work opportunities [This role has a hybrid format - virtual 2 days a week and in person from the 1871 space for 3 days a week.]EMPLOYMENT TYPEFull-time; Salaried $85,000 - $100,000 1871/CEC is an equal employment opportunity employer with a strong focus on crafting an inclusive and diverse environment. We encourage individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds to apply for this position.