Partnerships Manager

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is seeking a Senior Partnerships Manager to join our team. Reporting to the VP, Communications and dotted line to the Head of Partnerships, you are a commercially minded, highly organized marketing and communications professional who will own the day-to-day management of Vast’s existing brand partnerships and work closely with the Head of Brand Partnerships to develop and build new partnership opportunities. 

The ideal candidate will have experience developing and managing brand partnerships, and a strong understanding of the media and communications landscape. We would love someone who brings creativity and cultural fluency to the role: this is a rare opportunity to shape how brands and consumers engage with the future of space exploration. 

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities: 

• Own the day-to-day management of Vast’s existing brand partnerships, serving as the primary point of contact and relationship manager 
• Lead delivery against contractual commitments, tracking deliverables, activation timelines and campaign performance 
• Identify and develop opportunities to expand existing partnerships in alignment with partner objectives and new opportunities in Vast’s ecosystem 
• Research and identify prospective brand partners that align with Vast’s mission 
• Maintain a well-organized pipeline, tracking outreach, prospect status, deal stages and actions and provide regular reporting to the VP, Communications/ Head of Brand Partnerships
• Work with the Head of Brand Partnerships and Marketing & Design colleagues to develop creative concepts, presentation materials, and pitch decks
• The ideal candidate will also support the Communications team from time-to-time as needed. This could include managing announcements, media engagements and public engagement campaigns, reviewing press materials and developing and aligning communications plans across partner agencies and Vast. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• 8-10 years of experience in partnerships, business development, or related commercial fields 
• Demonstrated experience managing brand partnerships end-to-end, including rights management, campaigns and activation, and performance evaluation 
• Strong commercial acumen; comfortable building partnership proposals, rights frameworks and pricing benchmarks 
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple partners, projects and timelines simultaneously 
• Ability to translate complex or technical concepts into clear, compelling commercial narratives 
• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills with internal and external partners 

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience managing high-value or high-profile brand partnerships 
• Experience in business development or commercial solutions
• Familiarity with communications, PR and marketing workflows; comfortable working across partnerships and communications tasks 
• Strong understanding of the media and brand landscape, including broadcast, digital and social platforms 
• High attention to detail, particularly in regulated or approval-heavy environments
• A strong interest in space, exploration, and emerging spaceflight capabilities

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work extended hours, including nights and weekends, to support mission-critical milestones and real-time operations as needed

Pay Range: California$129,000—$183,000 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

**COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
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Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

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U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

**The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.