Founding Strategic Partnerships, Cloud & Alliances

Job description

## **ABOUT RETELL AI** Retell AI is using first-principles thinking to reimagine the call center with cutting-edge voice AI. Thousands of companies now use 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've scaled to $80M in ARR with a team of 50, up from $5M at the start of 2025, and are now valued at over $1.5B. 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 act as frontline agents, QA analysts, and managers, continuously executing, monitoring, and improving every customer interaction. We're growing fast and looking for ambitious builders who want to tackle hard technical problems, move quickly, and have a real impact on one of the fastest-growing voice AI companies in the world. Let's build the future together. **Recent recognition:** - [No. 1 Best Places to Work in the Bay Area, San Francisco Business Times 2026](https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/voice-ai-startup-retell-ai-145200025.html) - [Top 50 AI Apps, a16z (2025)](https://a16z.com/the-ai-application-spending-report-where-startup-dollars-really-go/) - [#3 Fastest-Growing Software Company, G2 Best Software Awards 2026](https://company.g2.com/news/g2s-2026-best-software-awards) - [Best Agentic AI Software, G2 Best Software Awards 2026](https://www.retellai.com/blog/retell-ai-recognized-as-the-best-agentic-ai-software-by-g2) - [#4 Fastest-Growing Software Vendor, Brex Benchmark 2025](https://www.brex.com/journal/brex-benchmark-december-2025) - [Enterprise Tech 30 Class of 2026, Nasdaq & Wing VC](https://www.nasdaq.com/videos/retell-ai) - [Top-Ranked Startup, Lean AI Leaderboard](https://leanaileaderboard.com/) - [Backed by Y Combinator](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/retell-ai) ## **ABOUT THE ROLE** Retell AI transforms customer experience with voice AI for enterprises, including customers like CVS/Aetna, American Airlines, Lenovo, and Grab. We have more customer stories than we can tell! We’re looking for a **Founding Strategic Partnerships, Cloud & Alliances** 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 - **Own a portfolio spanning cloud hyperscalers, CCaaS and CRM platforms, and consultancies, SIs, and BPOs.** - **Own the outcomes for your portfolio:** activated partnerships, partner-sourced SQLs, co-sold pipeline, and closed-won repeatable revenue against quarterly targets. - **Run the cloud hyperscaler motion:** launch and grow marketplace and co-sell programs (listings, private offers, and co-sell programs that comp partner AEs to sell Retell), manage relationships with PDMs, drive joint outbound with their AEs, deliver field presentations, and show up at partner conferences and kickoffs. - **Run the CCaaS and strategic partner motion:** build joint offerings with CCaaS and CRM platforms, SIs, consultancies, and BPOs. Establish co-sell, resale, referral, and implementation models; enable partner teams; map shared accounts; and support joint pursuits through deployment. - **Vet, sign, and activate strategic partners, consultancies, SIs, and BPOs:** develop and launch enablement initiatives (training paths, certification, GTM plays, shared marketing assets) so their consultants can position and deploy Retell in client work, plus joint pursuit support on live deals. - **Drive co-marketing across the portfolio and represent Retell in the ecosystem:** joint launches, blog posts, demos, industry conferences, joint partner events, and roundtables. - **Collaborate cross-functionally with Legal, Sales, FDEs, Product, Engineering, and Marketing** to ensure partner performance and alignment with Retell's revenue strategy. ## PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - 5+ years of experience in strategic or channel partnerships at a high-growth SaaS company. - Deep experience working with cloud hyperscalers, CCaaS or CRM platforms, consultancies, SIs, or BPOs. - Proven ability to build partner programs from zero and launch successful marketplace, co-sell, resale, or implementation motions. - Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders. - Excellent organizational, communication, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to represent Retell across the ecosystem. ## 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 ## 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 1. **Recruiter Screen (15 min):** Background, motivations, compensation, and partnership experience. 2. **HM interview (30 min):** Overview, sales process and methodology. 3. **Technical Sales Interview (30 min):** This call will focus on your experience selling technical products. 4. **Final Onsite (2.5 hrs):** Deep dive into past partnerships, strategic thinking, and cross-functional execution.