This is a contract role with the potential to convert to a full-time position, based on business needs and performance. Boston area preferred, open to remote candidates.
About the role
Embark is looking for a Sr Associate, Strategic Partnerships & Business Development contractor to identify, build, and grow commercial relationships that extend Embark's reach across the animal health & pet care industry. You'll sit at the intersection of prospecting, deal execution, and account management – spotting where Embark can strategically align with leading brands' commercial strategies. In this role you will manage partnerships from pitch through renewal, while keeping cross-functional stakeholders aligned along the way. This role is ideal for someone who's comfortable building processes from the ground up and adapting their approach across external partners and internal teams to ensure partnership success. You’ll be a great fit if you are a curious problem solver who enjoys learning the ins and outs of a partner's business, can bring creative thinking to deal structuring, and is self-motivated enough to dig where others haven't, turning overlooked opportunities into meaningful partnerships.
Who we are
Embark is on a mission to bring joy to dog lovers by offering the world’s best products and services to strengthen their bonds with the dogs in their lives. Our canine DNA test — named the best by The New York Times — enables us to make scientific advances in personalized pet care.
Designed by world leaders in dog genetics (in partnership with Cornell University), the Embark Dog DNA Test provides information on genetic health risks and breed make-up, allowing dog owners, breeders, and veterinarians to drive personalized care plans based on a dog's unique genetic profile.
What you’ll do
- Monitor the pet care landscape to identify emerging brands, market shifts, and partnership opportunities relevant to Embark's strategy
- Develop and pitch cross-sell and co-marketing opportunities, including ways other brands can incorporate Embark into their own commercial or subscription offerings
- Own the partner lifecycle end-to-end: prospecting, onboarding, day-to-day relationship management, renewal, and expansion
- Serve as the primary point of contact for partners, representing Embark's brand and goals consistently across the relationship
- Track partnership pipeline, milestones, and contracting progress; keep internal stakeholders informed and unblocked
- Represent partnership priorities internally, translating partner needs into a clear internal voice across teams
- Bring structure and reporting discipline to a process that spans multiple teams and timelines
- Assess gaps in Embark's partner portfolio against the broader roadmap and proactively recommend where to focus
Experience we’re looking for
- ~5 years of experience in business development, partnerships, account management, or a related commercial role
- Familiarity with the pet care category, or demonstrated ability to quickly build category fluency is preferred
- Experience managing external partner relationships as well as internal stakeholder relationships — and adapting communication style between the two
- Strong organizational skills; comfortable owning tracking, reporting, and follow-through across multiple concurrent partnerships
- Demonstrated ability to operate with ambiguity and build process from scratch
- Based in or near Boston preferred; open to remote candidates
- Willingness to travel ~10-15%
Embark is an equal opportunity workplace and values diversity at our company. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, age, disability status, marital status, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state or local laws. See also EEO is the Law.
Skills Required
- Approximately 5 years of experience in business development, partnerships, account management, or a related commercial role
- Experience managing external partner and internal stakeholder relationships
- Strong organizational skills, including tracking, reporting, and follow-through across multiple concurrent partnerships
- Ability to operate with ambiguity and build processes from scratch
- Based in or near Boston
- Familiarity with the pet care category or ability to quickly build category fluency
- Willingness to travel approximately 10–15%
What We Do
Starting with a best-in-class canine DNA test, Embark is building a powerful platform for scientific discovery that will accelerate advancements in personalized dog care. Embark’s dog DNA test— the most accurate and highest-rated on the market — helps educate pet owners about their dog’s breed, health, and ancestry. By using Embark’s products, customers can fuel new research and help all dogs (and, ultimately, humans) lead longer, healthier lives. Beyond its most recent genetic discoveries, Embark raised $75 million in Series B funding in 2021. Its continued growth will accelerate its ability to offer insights into certain conditions and make new discoveries about health risks, traits, and breeds. Embark is confident it can extend the lives of dogs by three years within the next decade by empowering dog owners with personalized, preventative care for their pets; giving breeders the tools they need to breed healthier dogs; and expanding the company’s research and partnerships to identify the genetic and other causes of healthy aging in dogs. As Embark’s database expands, it will be able to exponentially increase the number of novel discoveries it makes to help dogs live healthier, longer lives.
Why Work With Us
Embark is the world leader in dog genetics. Powered by a deep love for dogs, cofounders Ryan and Adam Boyko traveled the world to learn about dogs, uncovering the genetic basis for many dog diseases and traits. Now, Embark pack members find joy and satisfaction in making life better for dogs and their owners every day.
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