Business Development Lead Jobs in Austin, TX

Location: The Senior Platform Partnership BD Manager, TikTok For Business position is a remote, work-from-home role, as are all positions at Acceleration Partners. Some travel is required for client meetings, internal meetings, conferences, and other events.

THE ROLE:

Acceleration Partners is hiring a Senior Platform Partnership Business Development Manager to own and grow platform and API partnerships that drive SMB advertiser acquisition and revenue at scale for TikTok For Business. This role will sit at the intersection of product, engineering, and go-to-market: structuring deals, deepening technical integrations, and accelerating how partners bring TikTok For Business to their merchants and clients.

The most critical phase of this role spans from initial business development through complete partner onboarding and integration. That means the ideal candidate is a true hunter: someone who can identify and close new partnership opportunities and then drive them all the way through to live, operational integrations. We’re looking for a fast learner with commercial instincts and the technical curiosity to bridge the gap between business development and engineering.

TOP 5 JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

PARTNERSHIP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - Identifies, pursues, and closes new platform and API partnerships with CRM platforms, e-commerce tools, and marketing automation providers. Owns the full BD cycle from first contact through signed agreement. Builds and maintains a strong network across the platform partnership ecosystem and represents TikTok For Business at senior and C-level engagements.

PARTNER ONBOARDING AND INTEGRATION - Drives the critical post-close phase: shepherding partners through technical onboarding, scoping API integration requirements, and working closely with product and engineering teams to get integrations live. Translates commercial commitments into operational reality, ensuring partners can activate advertisers at scale via TikTok For Business APIs.

JOINT GO-TO-MARKET EXECUTION - Co-creates and executes co-marketing, co-selling, and activation programs with partners to drive advertiser onboarding. Builds joint GTM motions that connect TikTok platform strengths to each partner’s merchant or client base, with the goal of growing effective monthly active advertiser (EMAA) counts.

PERFORMANCE OWNERSHIP AND REPORTING - Tracks and owns partnership KPIs including registrations, new customer acquisition (NCA), EMAA, and revenue. Uses data to identify what is working, what isn’t and where to focus energy. Brings a structured, analytical approach to optimization across a portfolio of partnerships.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION - Acts as the connective tissue between external partners and internal product, engineering, and marketing teams. Communicates partner needs clearly, flags integration blockers early, and ensures internal teams have the context to prioritize and execute effectively.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:

BY 6 MONTHS...

You’ve mapped the target partner landscape, initiated outreach with priority prospects, and moved at least one partnership from initial conversation into active onboarding or integration scoping. You understand TikTok’s API products well enough to hold credible conversations with partner technical teams, and you’re building internal relationships with the product and engineering stakeholders you’ll rely on throughout the integration process.

BY 1 YEAR...

You’ve closed and fully onboarded multiple strategic partnerships, with each contributing measurable advertiser activations and EMEA growth. You have a structured pipeline of BD opportunities, a joint GTM motion running with at least one anchor partner, and a clear view of which partnership types produce the best returns. Your reporting is proactive, your cross-functional relationships are strong, and you’re actively shaping how the team approaches platform partnerships.

QUALITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Hunter mentality: driven to open new partnerships, not just manage existing ones. Gets energy from pursuing and closing.
• Fast learner who can get up to speed on a new technical product quickly. Formal training will be provided during onboarding.
• Comfortable at the intersection of commercial and technical. Can hold a credible conversation with both a C-suite partner and an engineering team.
• Operates with urgency. Knows that the window between deal close and active integration is where partnerships succeed or stall.
• Structured and data-driven. Tracks their pipeline, knows their numbers, and makes optimization decisions with evidence.
• Strong communicator across all levels, from merchant-facing partners to internal product and leadership teams.
• Works well independently in a remote environment and manages multiple active partnerships without dropping the ball on any.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• 5+ years of experience in platform partnerships, business development, or API partnership management.
• Proven track record closing and operationalizing partnerships, not just sourcing them.
• API and technical fluency: comfortable reading API documentation, discussing integration requirements with engineering teams, and identifying where technical configurations create (or block) commercial value. Candidates with a strong understanding of digital advertising or experience at a tech or ad-tech company are also considered, with hands-on training provided during onboarding.
• Solid understanding of digital advertising, particularly how SMBs buy ads and how platform ad products (pixel, conversion tracking, campaign creation) function.
• Commercial acumen: understands partnership economics, can structure win-win deals, and knows how to measure impact.
• Fluent in English (required). Additional major European language (German, French, Spanish, Italian, or Dutch) is a strong plus.
• Experience working cross-functionally with product, engineering, and marketing teams.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Ability to travel when needed for partner meetings, conferences, and internal team events.

Nice to Have:

• Experience working with Shopify, WooCommerce, Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar platform partners.
• Background working at or with a marketplace, platform ecosystem, or API-first business.
• Familiarity with TikTok’s ad products and the SMB advertiser journey.

WHY ACCELERATION PARTNERS?

Acceleration Partners is the world’s largest and first-to-market Partnership Marketing Agency creating and nurturing partnerships that drive exceptional measurable outcomes for their clients. Managing clients in 40+ countries, AP’s global team of 300+ focuses on data-driven strategies that connect brands to the right consumers through affiliate and influencer All of our work is supported by APVision, our proprietary technology suite which leverages the largest dataset of any agency in the Partnership Marketing agency ecosystem. Serving over 200 brands—including household names like Amazon, Apple, Target, Google, Marriott, Coinbase, and Burberry—AP’s diversified team is creating what’s next in the industry by building high-performing partnership marketing programs. As the only truly integrated global partnerships agency, AP prides itself on being at the cutting edge of industry developments and leveraging proven expertise to deliver unique solutions for brands seeking sustainable growth.

AP PERKS & BENEFITS - WHAT WE OFFER

• 100% remote work for everyone

• Group medical, dental, and vision coverage insurance (with opt-out benefits)

• 401K with matching

• Open Paid Time Off

• Summer & Holiday Wellness Breaks in July and December

• Volunteer and Birthday Time Off

• Focus Fridays

• Paid Parental Leave Benefits

• Wellness, Technology & Education Allowances

• Paid sabbatical leaves, donation matching, and more!!
• Target Salary is $75,000 - $95,000 depending on location and experience

Benefits may vary based on employment status or country location.

Acceleration Partners is committed to a diverse workforce and we are an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants regardless of an individual’s age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

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