Senior Manager Founder Partnerships
Full-time
Remote from South Africa, reporting to London headquarters
About GoGorilla
GoGorilla is the world's first performance marketing company built on financial technology. We've engineered a platform that hardwires client objectives into every campaign, ensuring transparent, auditable results that traditional agencies can't match. When our clients win, you win. You'll join a high-performance international team where your creative impact directly shapes your career trajectory and financial rewards, with opportunities for UK visa sponsorship for outstanding performers.
About the role
As a Senior Manager, Founder Partnerships, working remotely from South Africa, you will manage strategic founder partnership programmes and lead relationship management with high-growth startup founders across the UK and international markets. You will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive founder partnership strategies, as well as managing complex founder relationship portfolios.
Day to day, you'll be managing strategic founder partnerships, developing founder success programmes, leading cross-functional founder initiatives, and working with senior stakeholders to drive founder partnership growth. This role requires strong management skills and deep expertise in startup ecosystems.
Working pattern and flexibility
This is a senior management role available as full-time, fully remote from South Africa. You'll work closely with our London headquarters team through structured communication and regular video calls. Core collaboration hours align with South African mornings (UK afternoons) for optimal team interaction. Time tracking software is required for security and progress monitoring.
Leadership trajectory
We're hiring with rapid progression in mind. As results justify expansion, you'll hire and lead associates, coordinate UK-based partnerships, and shape our investor relations strategy. High performers typically see leadership opportunities within 6-12 months, with clear progression from Associate to Lead to Principal as you build the function.
What you will be doing
Manage strategic founder partnerships across multiple startup ecosystems and markets.
Develop and execute comprehensive strategies for growing founder partnerships.
Lead founder partnership performance reviews and optimisation efforts.
Coordinate cross-functional teams to support the success of founder partners.
Manage complex founder partnership agreements and commercial relationships.
Identify new strategic founder partnership opportunities and evaluate partnership potential.
Represent GoGorilla in senior-level founder discussions and startup ecosystem events.
Mentor and develop the founder partnership team members.
What you will bring
University degree with 4-6 years of experience in senior partnership management or startup ecosystems.
Proven track record managing complex, high-value founder partnerships.
Excellent English communication and relationship management skills for senior founder interactions.
Strong strategic thinking and programme management capabilities.
Deep expertise in startup ecosystems and founder relationship management.
Right to work in South Africa with a reliable high-speed internet connection.
Senior management experience and ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.
You should not apply if
You lack experience in senior-level founder partnership management.
You are not comfortable with complex startup ecosystem relationship management.
You are not strategic in your approach to founder partnership development.
You are not interested in senior management and leadership responsibilities.
You are not comfortable working with high-growth, fast-paced startup environments.
How we work
Outcomes first – success measured by founder partnership growth, startup success, and strategic impact.
Autonomy with accountability – significant freedom to manage founder partnership portfolios.
Build the playbook – lead development of founder partnership management best practices.
Learn from the best – work directly with successful founders and senior partnership leadership.
Continuous improvement – drive innovation in founder partnership management approaches.
Compensation and progression
Base salary: R55,000 to R65,000 per month (full-time).
Currency options: Choose to be paid in ZAR, USD, GBP, or a combination.
Performance bonuses: Significant founder partnership success bonuses (available after 6-month probation).
Company profit-sharing: Enhanced participation in overall company success.
Equity: Meaningful equity participation for high performers (considered after 12 months).
Benefits: Full benefits package after 6-month probation period.
UK visa opportunity: Outstanding performers eligible for sponsorship (after 18 months minimum).
Progression: Clear path to Principal or Director-level roles based on performance.
30-60-90 day expectations
Day 30 – Complete onboarding, understand founder partnership portfolio, and develop management strategies.
Day 60 – Successfully manage key founder partnerships and demonstrate strategic impact.
Day 90 – Consistently drive founder partnership growth and lead strategic initiatives.
Probation and performance framework
6-month probation period with monthly performance reviews and clear success metrics.
Performance thresholds: Must achieve founder partnership management targets to progress beyond probation.
Benefits eligibility: Full benefits package is available after successful completion of probation.
Equipment policy: Company equipment must be returned if employment ends during the probationary period.
