Partnerships Manager, Legal Tech (Bar Associations Program)

The Role

We’re looking for a Partnerships Manager to support the expansion and management of new partner programs, including helping drive launches and ongoing relationship management of 50+ state and local bar association relationships. This role requires an individual with an entrepreneurial and strategic mindset that has previous experience in both building and managing partner programs in the LegalTech, Legal AI or highly-regulated professional services space. From nurturing ongoing partner relationships to identifying and launching new ones, you’ll play a key role in a fast-growing portfolio of partner programs with US bar associations.

The best person for this role has the combined skills of business development, account management, marketing, and strategic execution: serving as the primary point of contact for your partners, sourcing and negotiating new bar association partners, and working with internal teams to deliver partner marketing that raise member awareness of Smokeball’s programs and drive revenue. This is a hands-on role for someone who is organized, proactive, and comfortable juggling multiple partners and deadlines.

Open to remote candidate or to those located in Chicago. For those located in Chicago, we expect the role to be hybrid with 2 days a week in our Chicago office.

Responsibilities:

• Partner Account Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key bar association partners to drive partnership success. Focus on enhancing member awareness of Smokeball’s product and maximizing revenue opportunities while serving as the primary communication liaison.

• Partner Strategy: Drive strategic decisions with bar partners, listen to partner needs, and develop new initiatives and programs that drive Smokeball’s success. 

• Business Development:  Identify opportunities to build new programs and pitch and negotiate agreement with new partners.
• Organize Program Operations Process: Assist with developing program operations and processes, building a scalable playbook for long-term growth of partner program management. 

• Contract Review & Negotiation: negotiate, execute, and maintain partner contracts, including terms, redlines, and renewals, working with leadership and legal on commercial terms.

• Execute Partner Marketing & Education: Develop partner marketing materials, including new partner launches, and organize education and training with partners to drive partner revenue and program awareness. 

• Track KPIs & Partner Reporting: Track and update partner ROI reports, monitor results against partner goals (referral quality, program participation, and revenue contribution), and analyze trends regularly to identify growth opportunities.

What You Bring

• 3+ years of demonstrated experience managing partners in the LegalTech, Legal AI, or the bar association space, bar association partner programs experience is preferred. 

• A deep understanding of the legal technology and Legal AI space.

• Strong communication and negotiation skills, capable of leading presentations, negotiating contracts, and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.

• Ability to multi-task and stay organized 

• Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and project management tools is a plus. 

• Experience growing partnerships in a startup, early-stage company, or high-growth environment is preferred.

• Occasional travel is expected, estimated 25% of the time. 

Compensation Band

The salary for this role is between $110,000-135,000 based on experience.

What's in it for you?

💵 Competitive Salary

💹 Work-Life Balance: 20 vacation days, 3 reboot days, birthday off, volunteer time, and more!

🧘 Benefits: Excellent medical, dental, vision coverage. 401(k) match, & monthly wellness stipend

👶Parental leave

🥡 Office lunch and loads of snacks

🧢 And of course...the SWAG!

Want to Know More?

Why do we do what we do? Where did the name ‘Smokeball’ come from? What are our values? Learn more here!

*Smokeball values diversity & inclusion and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Smokeball considers all individuals seeking employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

If you’re excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn’t check every box.