Startups Program Lead

About the role

Vercel is looking for a leader to define and manage our global startup strategy. You will build a team to support early-stage founders and foster partnerships with venture capital firms and accelerators. This role requires a strategic thinker who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment and navigating ambiguity with confidence. The successful candidate will own the end-to-end lifecycle of our startup-facing initiatives, ensuring alignment with Vercel's product and business goals. You will act as a bridge between the technical product teams and the startup community, ensuring that our offerings meet the real-world needs of builders. This position demands strong communication skills and the ability to influence without direct authority. You will be responsible for creating a thriving ecosystem that attracts top-tier talent and innovative companies to the Vercel platform.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Direct the global startup program roadmap from pre-seed through Series A, ensuring initiatives like the Vercel AI Accelerator drive product adoption.
• Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing team dedicated to startup partnerships and ecosystem growth.
• Create and maintain strategic partnerships with incubators, VC firms, and founder networks to expand our reach.
• Coordinate with Sales to transition startups from the program into long-term customers, optimizing the conversion funnel.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Media, and Developer Relations teams on ecosystem distribution to amplify program impact.
• Represent Vercel at industry events, providing founder-focused guidance and strengthening the brand within the startup community.
• Translate feedback from early-stage users into actionable product and go-to-market improvements, closing the loop between users and internal teams.
• Manage the lifecycle of startup engagement, tracking performance metrics to ensure program health and scalability.
• Develop frameworks and playbooks for startup onboarding, engagement, and success to standardize best practices.
• Identify emerging trends in the developer tools space and advise on program adjustments to stay ahead of the curve.
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment between Product, Engineering, and GTM teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Oversee the budget and resources for the startup program, optimizing spend for maximum ROI.
• Build dashboards and reports to communicate program performance to leadership and stakeholders clearly.
• Act as a subject matter expert on startup programs, contributing to the broader strategy of the company.

Requirements

• 6+ years of experience in partnerships, ecosystem management, or program roles at high-growth tech companies.
• History of scaling programs from inception to maturity, with documented examples of successful outcomes.
• Experience in team leadership and management, including hiring, coaching, and performance management.
• Ability to engage with technical stakeholders regarding frontend tools like React, Next.js, Vite, Astro, and Remix.
• Proven track record of networking with accelerators and venture capital firms to build mutually beneficial relationships.
• Data-driven approach to tracking program performance and lifecycle metrics, using insights to inform decision-making.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where priorities can shift quickly.

Nice to have

• Existing professional network within top-tier accelerators like Y Combinator or Techstars.
• History of contributing to open-source frontend projects.
• Experience building applications using modern frontend stacks.

Practical notes

• Base salary range in San Francisco is $148,000 to $185,000, adjusted for other locations.
• Total compensation includes equity, a company bonus or variable pay program, and benefits.
• Benefits include an inclusive healthcare package, flexible time off, mentorship opportunities, event support, work equipment, and a home office stipend.
• Vercel is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.
• This is a full-time position with hybrid work arrangements between San Francisco and New York City.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the country where the position is located.
• The selection process may include multiple interviews, including a technical assessment relevant to the role.
• Deadlines for application review will be managed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
• Travel may be required for program events, partner meetings, and industry conferences.
• Candidates should be prepared to provide references and documentation of past professional achievements.
• Vercel provides the necessary tools and infrastructure to perform the job effectively, including access to proprietary systems and software.
• All employees are expected to adhere to the company's code of conduct and values.
• The company reserves the right to modify the terms of employment as business needs evolve.
• This role is critical to the growth of the startup ecosystem and will have a significant impact on the company's future.
• Successful candidates will demonstrate a passion for building and a commitment to excellence in everything they do.