Partnerships Manager

About the Company

Athena supports leaders by pairing them with a dedicated Executive Assistant, an Executive Coach, and a proprietary AI-powered platform designed to strengthen daily execution and long-term growth. Since 2021, the company has worked with thousands of leaders, including startup founders, C-suite executives, and solo entrepreneurs. The Kenya hub is an important part of this mission, focused on training and supporting Executive Assistants so they can provide outstanding service to members.

Role Summary

As a Partnerships Manager, you will act as the link between Athena members and their Executive Assistants. Your focus will be to establish strong working relationships, understand what success means for each member, and ensure every Executive Assistant has the context, tools, and support needed to perform at a high level. When issues arise, you will step in to protect the partnership and keep work moving forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop strong, long-term relationships with members and their Executive Assistants so you can anticipate needs and provide timely support.
• Learn each member’s business and personal priorities to understand what matters most and where support should be concentrated.
• Match Executive Assistant strengths and resources with member goals to improve outcomes and satisfaction.
• Spot ways to strengthen partnerships and create value for both sides.
• Handle disagreements and difficult situations promptly and tactfully.
• Make sure members remain supported even when unexpected challenges occur.
• Balance member satisfaction with Athena’s business priorities and profitability.
• Lead a team of 10 to 15 Executive Assistants through coaching, feedback, and development planning.
• Provide the training, tools, and guidance needed for consistent high-quality service delivery.
• Set performance expectations, monitor metrics, and maintain accountability across the team.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
• Use both operational thinking and relationship management to improve processes and elevate member experience.
• Work effectively across countries and time zones while respecting cultural differences.
• Continuously improve the way Athena serves its members.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in operations and people management.
• At least 3 years of experience working with foreign stakeholders, ideally American stakeholders.
• Ability to manage escalations and resolve conflicts successfully.
• Background in client relationship management.
• Strong coaching capability, including creating individualized development plans.
• Experience performing root cause analysis and building action plans.
• Comfort with night shifts and rotating schedules.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong relationship-building skills with executives and cross-functional teams.
• Strategic mindset and solid business understanding.
• Ability to manage performance and hold others accountable.
• Adaptability in fast-moving environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related discipline; an MBA is an advantage.
• Successful candidates must be able to provide a police clearance certificate, which should be readily available once selected for the role.

Success Traits

• You build trust quickly and maintain strong working relationships.
• You remain calm, practical, and solution-focused under pressure.
• You balance empathy with accountability.
• You communicate clearly across cultures and time zones.
• You lead by example and motivate the people around you.

Benefits

• Paid leave, wellness initiatives, and healthcare coverage.
• Opportunities for career growth within a global organization, supported by coaching, feedback, and strategic training.
• Access to a global support network of more than 3,000 professionals.
• Sponsored MBA access through the Metis College partnership with Woolf University and Oxford.

Why Join Athena

This role offers exposure to ambitious leaders, complex workflows, and influential networks. You will receive structured onboarding, practical mentorship, and development programs designed to accelerate your growth. Athena emphasizes collaboration, continuous feedback, and high standards, with a strong commitment to building careers rather than simply filling positions. If you want to grow your capabilities while making a meaningful impact, this role offers a unique opportunity.