Head Of Partnerships Jobs in California
Head Of Partnerships jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with strong demand concentrated in technology, healthcare, media, and enterprise software, at levels from individual contributor to VP-adjacent senior leadership. The heaviest hiring is centered in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Salesforce, Google, and Disney maintain large California operations. The most sought-after specialties are channel partnerships, strategic alliances, and ecosystem development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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This is Adyen
Adyen provides payments, data, and financial products in a single solution for customers like Meta, Uber, H&M, and Microsoft - making us the financial technology platform of choice. At Adyen, everything we do is engineered for ambition.
For our teams, we create an environment with opportunities for our people to succeed, backed by the culture and support to ensure they are enabled to truly own their careers. We are motivated individuals who tackle unique technical challenges at scale and solve them as a team. Together, we deliver innovative and ethical solutions that help businesses achieve their ambitions faster.
Head of Hardware Partnerships
Adyen is looking for a Head of Hardware Partnerships to serve as the strategic thought leader of our global hardware agenda. You will sit at the intersection of Product, Engineering, and Commercial teams to define a hardware strategy that transforms how merchants interact with their customers in the physical world.
This role is about more than managing vendors; it's about setting a vision for our hardware strategy with our partners in tight collaboration with product and commercial teams. You will be responsible for driving partner alignment on the form factors Adyen requires, pushing manufacturers toward "merchant-first" innovation, and leading the high-stakes commercial relationships that bring next-generation hardware breakthroughs to market.
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Set the Global Hardware Agenda: Define the long-term roadmap for Adyen's physical presence with product's support and ensure our partners are helping us achieve that vision. Working lock step with product, you will determine which device categories, form factors, and regional expansions will unlock the most value for our merchants over a 3-5 year horizon.
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Lead Complex Ecosystem Commercials: Own the end-to-end commercial lifecycle with our most critical global hardware partners. This includes negotiating complex development agreements, joint go-to-market incentives, and supply chain commitments that ensure Adyen has the right inventory in the right places.
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Bridge Product & Market Needs: Collaborate with Product Management to ensure hardware capabilities like "Tap to Pay" or mobile-first POS align with our software ecosystem. You will translate merchant feedback into technical requirements that our partners can execute against.
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Scale Global Expansion: Lead the strategy for hardware certification and distribution in new markets. You will ensure our hardware partners are prepared to support Adyen's rapid global growth, maintaining high standards for device security and reliability across all regions.
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Drive Partner-Led Innovation: Move beyond "off-the-shelf" limitations. You will advocate for Adyen's merchants by pushing hardware partners to integrate specific features—such as biometrics, enhanced connectivity, or custom industrial designs—that solve real-world checkout friction.
Who you are
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A Strategic Leader: 5-10 years of experience leading hardware partnerships or product strategy, specifically within the payments, point-of-sale, or consumer electronics sectors.
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Customer-Obsessed: You have a "product-first" mindset. You enjoy spending time with merchants to understand their operational challenges and translating those insights into hardware requirements.
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An Industry Influencer: You have the gravitas to influence the C-suite of global hardware manufacturers, challenging them to prioritize Adyen's vision over their standard product cycles.
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Operationally Rigorous: You understand the complexities of hardware—from lead times and certifications to firmware lifecycles—and can navigate these challenges without losing sight of the commercial goal.
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Clear Communicator: You can distill complex technical trade-offs into simple strategic choices for executive stakeholders.
Location & Work Expectations
- This role is based in San Francisco
- Adyen values in-person collaboration, and we are an office-first company
- Some international travel will be required
Compensation
- The base salary for this role in San Francisco ranges from 258-375k plus RSUs.
Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitments
Our unique approach is a product of our diverse perspectives. This diversity of backgrounds and cultures is essential in helping us maintain our momentum. Our business and technical challenges are unique, and we need as many different voices as possible to join us in solving them - voices like yours. No matter who you are or where you're from, we welcome you to be your true self at Adyen.
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented communities apply for jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Does this sound like you? If so, Adyen encourages you to reconsider and apply. We look forward to your application!
What's next?
Ensuring a smooth and enjoyable candidate experience is critical for us. We aim to get back to you regarding your application within 5 business days. Our interview process tends to take about 4 weeks to complete, but may fluctuate depending on the role. Learn more about our hiring process here. Don't be afraid to let us know if you need more flexibility.
Adyen is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status or any legally protected status.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
San Francisco
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
This role is based out of our San Francisco office. We are an office-first company and value in-person collaboration; we do not offer remote-only roles.
See All 60 Head Of Partnerships Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head Of Partnerships JobsHead Of Partnerships Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Head Of Partnerships Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple3

- Block3

- Socure3

- Adobe2

- Airwallex2

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software36
- Banking & Financial Services7
- Consulting & Professional Services5
- Electronics & Hardware4
- Automotive2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head of partnerships jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field required by most California employers
- Five or more years of experience building and managing strategic partnership programs
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate and close complex co-sell or reseller agreements
- Experience working cross-functionally with sales, product, and legal teams in California organizations
- Proficiency with CRM platforms such as Salesforce to track pipeline and partner activity
- Strong presentation and executive communication skills for internal and external stakeholder engagement
Head Of Partnerships Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a head of partnerships in California?
Most heads of partnerships in California reach the role by building several years of experience in business development, channel sales, or alliance management at California technology, media, or healthcare companies. California does not require a state-issued license for this role. A bachelor's degree in business or a related field is the standard baseline, and an MBA from a California institution can accelerate advancement into senior leadership at larger organizations.
Which companies hire head of partnershipss in California?
Employers hiring head of partnershipss in California right now include Apple, Block, and Socure, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense concentration of enterprise software, media, and life sciences companies means partnership roles appear across a wide range of industries beyond pure tech.
Which California cities have the most head of partnerships jobs?
San Francisco, Culver City, and Mountain View have the most head of partnerships openings in California. San Francisco leads because of its concentration of enterprise software and fintech headquarters, Los Angeles reflects strength in media, entertainment, and consumer tech, and San Diego draws demand from its biotech and defense contractor ecosystem, where channel and strategic alliance roles are consistently active.
Are there remote head of partnerships jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 25% of head of partnerships openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the relationship-driven but largely desk-based nature of the work. Strategic alliance management and ecosystem development roles are the most commonly offered as fully remote, while channel partnership roles tied to field sales teams tend to require hybrid or in-office presence.
How can I get hired as a head of partnerships in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving laterally from an account executive, customer success, or business development representative role at a California technology or SaaS company, where you build the cross-functional and negotiation skills partnerships leaders need. Large California employers like Salesforce and Adobe run associate business development programs that feed into alliance teams. Building a portfolio of co-marketing or referral agreements, even in a prior role, gives candidates without a formal partnerships title a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to head of partnerships jobs in California?
You can find and apply to head of partnerships jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 60 Head Of Partnerships Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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