VIP & Strategic Relationships Lead, US
On-siteNew York City, New York, United States or New York, United States
Job Summary
Lead the pipeline of top-tier US speakers and VIPs for Founders Forum's flagship events and retreats, mapping power networks to unlock access through the group's ecosystem. Drive commercial discussions with potential sponsors and partners to convert relationships into revenue, while identifying, shaping, and launching new US market events with end-to-end delivery. Execute white-glove, end-to-end handling of principals and their teams across US and international events, marshalling security, logistics, and on-site management. Identify which US relationships fit the global stage, building pathways to bring key US principals into international events like FF Global in London. Partner with the Content and Program teams to align US speakers to meaningful themes, developing innovative formats with high editorial integrity. Maintain a dynamic map of relevant US networks, spotting timely opportunities and tracking moves to build lasting rapport across the region.
Required Qualifications
- 3–5 years in a relationship-driven role with senior stakeholder exposure in the US market
- Demonstrable success securing senior speakers, talent, or strategic meetings within the US tech and investor ecosystem
- Strong references for judgment, discretion, and delivery under pressure
- A genuine love of tech and startups
- Ability to track the US ecosystem closely
- Ability to speak credibly to frontier themes (e.g. AI, climate tech, biotech, fintech, defence tech, policy)
- Elite relationship-building skills
- An existing personal network within US tech, VC, and founder circles
- Ability to earn trust quickly with principals and gatekeepers
- Being respectful, persistent, and outcome-oriented
- Creative dealmaking instinct
- Operational excellence
- Meticulous logistics
- Clear comms
- Accurate reporting
- Fast follow-through
- On-site calm when the stakes are highest
- Comfort working across time zones and geographies
- Outcome-driven mindset
- Comfort working to ambitious KPIs
- Excellent written communication
- Concise, senior, and on-brand written communication
- Low-ego
- A 'no task is too small or big' mindset
Desired Qualifications
- Experience working with high-profile principals, founders, VCs, family offices, agents, or government leaders in the US
- Familiarity with the global tech and investor landscape
- Existing relationships or context spanning the US, UK, and Europe
- Comfortable using CRM tools
- Ability to use light research tooling
- Strong reporting discipline
- Pipeline hygiene
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including to FF Global (London) and other flagship FFG events
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