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Andrew, Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures: Advize Career Interview
A career path from political science to tech sales to a thriving role as a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures, this individual's journey showcases adaptability and a knack for relationship building.
The work involves securing lucrative deals, managing key industry contacts, and navigating a dynamic environment. Success in this field hinges on strong communication, effective time management, and a resilient, people-oriented approach.
Entry-level roles in sales or advertising agencies offer pathways, emphasizing the value of transferable skills honed in college.
The work's greatest rewards include securing substantial deals for admired brands and cultivating a strong network within the podcasting industry.
A lighthearted approach and the ability to "shake off" setbacks are key to thriving, highlighting a fulfilling career built on strong relationships and impactful results.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Andrew Parker
Partnerships Manager
Backyard Ventures
UC Santa Barbara
n/a
Humanities, Political Science, American Studies
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Sales and Client Management
First Generation College Student
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Career Path Of A Partnerships Manager At Backyard Ventures
Andrew's career path, beginning with a political science degree and an unsuccessful law office internship, unexpectedly led to tech sales at a cybersecurity company and Uber Eats. Following roles at two smaller startups, a shift to the media and advertising industry resulted in Andrew's current position as a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures, where they "monetize content by creating partnerships between content creators and brands," showcasing a successful career pivot driven by exploration and adaptation.
Main Responsibilities of a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures
Andrew's main responsibility as Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures centers on relationship management with brands and agencies, "making sure that we're always top of mind" to drive revenue generation. The success of deal creation and revenue inflow directly depends on cultivating and maintaining these key industry relationships.
A Day In The Life Of A Partnerships Manager At Backyard Ventures
A Partnerships Manager's day at Backyard Ventures involves "a lot of sending emails," constantly managing existing relationships and deals, and proactively seeking new brands in the podcast influencer space to expand their partnerships. This includes "setting up calls with clients" to ensure smooth operations and identifying opportunities for renewals.
Most Important Skills For A Partnerships Manager At Backyard Ventures
Andrew, a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures, emphasizes the importance of strong "people skills," prioritizing clear communication and responsiveness to build relationships with clients and stakeholders. The role also demands effective time management and written communication skills to juggle multiple campaigns and maintain a smooth workflow, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the position.
Favorite Parts of Being a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures
Andrew, Backyard Ventures' Partnerships Manager, most enjoys "bringing in deals for clients," particularly "five, six figure deals" for brands they admire, finding immense satisfaction in delivering this success and witnessing the gratification it brings clients. This highlights the impactful nature of Andrew's role and the strong client relationships fostered at Backyard Ventures.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures
Andrew's biggest challenge as Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures is effective time management, as "no two days are really the same," requiring juggling multiple stakeholders and projects to keep "everybody happy and on the same page." This highlights the dynamic and demanding nature of the role, necessitating careful prioritization and time allocation to avoid overlooking crucial details.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Advertising Industry as a Partnerships Manager
Andrew, a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures, enjoys the "small industry" aspect of influencer podcasting within advertising, allowing for strong relationships with "a lot of the same people" met at conferences and in daily work. This network of colleagues is a significant positive aspect of the career.
Who Thrives In Partnerships Backyard Ventures Partnerships Manager Explains
Andrew, a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures, highlights the importance of strong interpersonal skills for success in the partnerships industry, stating that it is "a industry built on people" who are "outgoing" and adept at managing diverse personalities. The ability to quickly "get a good read and feel for people" is key to thriving in this relationship-driven field.
What A Partnerships Manager At Backyard Ventures Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Tech Industry
Andrew, a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures, learned that the industry is "not rocket science," emphasizing the importance of not getting overly stressed about mistakes. Successfully navigating the industry requires building strong relationships and having the ability to "shake that off" and move forward after setbacks, prioritizing honesty and resilience.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Business Development Representatives
Andrew, a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures, highlights entry-level sales roles like "business development rep or sales development rep" as excellent starting points, emphasizing the development of crucial skills such as communication and handling rejection. Additionally, entry-level positions in advertising agencies, such as "operations or as a coordinator," offer valuable industry experience.
Significant Career Lesson From a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures
Andrew, a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures, identifies "not really taking yourself super seriously" as a significant career lesson, emphasizing the importance of "being able to laugh off the mistakes" and "bring some joy" to the workplace. This approach, allowing Andrew to "talk to people like they're human," fosters stronger relationships and makes a demanding career more enjoyable.
College Experiences That Helped a Partnerships Manager at Backyard Ventures Succeed
Andrew, a Partnerships Manager, credits college success to both honing "super transferable skills" like research and writing through essay-writing, and building a wide network by "meeting as many new people as possible" and becoming comfortable in diverse social settings. This approach proved invaluable for a career in sales, emphasizing the importance of both strong communication skills and interpersonal abilities.
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