Sr. Manager, Strategic Partnerships & Agency Development

Sr. Manager, Strategic Partnerships & Agency Development

Final date to receive applications: 28 June 2026

Department: Sales

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: New York

Reporting To: Alison Mayes, VP, Strategic Partnerships & Agency Development

Compensation: $140,000 - $180,000 / year

Focus:
Agency Partnership Execution, Account Management, and Enablement

As Big Happy enters its next phase of growth, we are adding a dynamic, execution-focused leader to support our Strategic Partnerships division. Reporting directly to the VP of Strategic Partnerships & Agency Development, this role is critical to operationalizing our agency acceleration and growth strategies.

The ideal candidate acts as the "connective tissue" and daily engine of the department - translating high‑level agency strategy into tangible pipeline growth, managing mid‑to‑senior level agency relationships, and ensuring cross‑functional alignment across Sales, Product, and Marketing. This is a builder role designed for a high‑performing manager ready to scale our footprint and directly support leadership in turning Big Happy into a primary execution partner for major holding companies, independents, and specialty shops.

• Leadership Support & Execution: Act as the primary strategic supporter to the VP, operationalizing the overarching agency partnership strategy and managing daily workflows to drive business objectives.
• Account & Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain deep, daily relationships with core leaders, media planners, supervisors, and key influencers across holding companies and independent agencies.
• Cross‑Functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner closely with internal Sales, Client Services, Product, and Marketing teams to track deliverable timelines, align agency feedback with product roadmaps, and support revenue‑driving initiatives.
• Enablement &
  
  Education:
  
  Own the development and rollout of partner‑facing toolkits, POVs, playbooks, and case studies. Facilitate education and scaled learning sessions to ensure agency teams fully understand Big Happy’s unique value proposition.
• Pipeline & Performance Tracking: Monitor, analyze, and report on agency partnership performance, spend adoption metrics, and joint business plan (JBP) progress to internal leadership.
• Business Development Support: Identify organic growth opportunities within existing agency accounts, support commercial deal structuring (such as endeavors or JBPs), and assist in pitches for net‑new agency access.

• Execute Big Happy’s agency partnership framework across holding companies, independents, and specialty shops.
• Position Big Happy as a seamless, day‑to‑day extension of agency teams for DOOH, high‑impact mobile execution, and offsite retail media.
• Coordinate GTM materials and lead training efforts to unlock net‑new agency access and support Sales teams in deeper account penetration.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience specifically within agency development, retail media, or broader ad tech ecosystem management.
• Exhibit a natural "builder" mentality with a strong focus on seamless execution and independent workflow management.
• Deeply understand the nuances of agency operating structures, holding company dynamics, and contemporary media activation strategies.
• Demonstrate a history of fostering account growth and the confidence to present effectively to mid‑and‑senior‑level external agency leadership.
• Communicate with clarity, effectively distilling complex technical platform features into tangible business value for media planners and strategists.
• Strong analytical skills with an ability to leverage performance metrics and spend data to drive joint business objectives.

• Full‑time position with a competitive base salary
• Access to benefits, including Healthcare, Dental, and Vision
• Big Happy‑provided laptop
• Participation in Big Happy’s stock program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Team Happy camaraderie—celebrating wins, learning from challenges, and fostering continuous career growth
• A workplace culture where you can be yourself, contribute meaningfully, and be valued for your impact