Director of Partnerships

About the Company

Zapp EV is building a new kind of EV charging destination. We are creating premium, high-functioning charging hubs that combine dependable infrastructure with a better customer experience, stronger brand presence, and real operational discipline. We are not approaching charging as a parking-lot utility — we are building flagship locations designed to feel intentional, trusted, and commercially relevant. Our first flagship is a high-visibility proof point for the company, supporting charging, customer experience, partnerships, investor momentum, and long-term expansion.

About the Role

The Director of Partnerships & Strategic Growth is responsible for planning, executing, and owning flagship activations, while building the partnerships and relationships that support those activations. This is a hands-on execution role with leadership responsibility, not a passive relationship role. The primary focus is event execution and activation, with partnerships and investor momentum supporting that work.

Responsibilities

• Primary Responsibility — Flagship Activations
• You will own execution for:
• SF Electrify Expo / Demo Days (August)
• LA Auto Show (November)
• Responsibilities include:
• full event planning and coordination
• partner and sponsor integration into activations
• on-site execution and quality control
• pre-event and post-event follow-through
• This is the core KPI of the role.
• Event Presence & Networking
• Attend and actively participate in industry events, conferences, and networking environments
• Represent Zapp EV in early-stage conversations and relationship-building contexts
• Build and maintain relationships through in-person engagement, not just digital outreach
• Identify and engage relevant partners, sponsors, and stakeholders at events
• Capture and follow up on leads generated through networking and event participation
• Secondary Responsibility — Partnerships (Revenue + Strategic Relationships)
• You will:
• build relationships with OEMs, automotive groups, energy stakeholders, and aligned brands
• secure sponsorships, co-marketing agreements, and partnership deals
• develop relationships that can evolve into:
• commercial agreements
• brand integrations
• revenue-generating partnerships
• convert conversations into structured, outcome-driven partnerships
• This role is expected to create meaningful and monetizable relationships, not just connections.
• Tertiary Responsibility — Series A & Investor Momentum
• You will:
• support investor introductions and relationship progression
• help convert warm leads into active conversations
• contribute to overall perception of traction and credibility
• Leadership & Team Responsibility
• This role will:
• lead and supervise the Partnerships & Strategic Growth Associate
• own outbound workflows and relationship execution
• ensure consistent follow-through across all partnership activity
• establish the foundation for the partnerships and growth function

Qualifications

• Phase 1 — Bridge Phase (Contract)
• Independent contractor / retainer
• $4,000–$6,000 per month
• Target baseline: $5,000 per month
• Bridge Phase Scope:
• event planning and execution
• partnership outreach and coordination
• sponsor engagement
• investor pipeline support
• activation readiness

Required Skills

• Performance-based, discretionary incentives tied to defined outcomes. No guaranteed compensation beyond the monthly retainer.
• Event Execution Incentives (Primary)
• SF Electrify Expo: $3,000–$5,000
• LA Auto Show: $5,000–$10,000
• Paid based on execution quality, readiness, partner integration, and post-event follow-through.
• Partnerships & Sponsorship Incentives
• $1,000–$3,000 per qualified partnership or sponsorship outcome
• Monthly cap: $7,000
• A qualified partnership is one that is formally agreed, materially aligned with the flagship, and contributes meaningfully to event execution, sponsorship, brand positioning, or revenue generation.
• Investor Momentum Incentives
• $500 per qualified introduction that converts into an active meeting
• $1,000 for strong follow-on engagement
• Conversion Bonus
• $5,000–$15,000 one-time discretionary bonus upon full-time conversion
• Based on performance and contribution during the contractor period

Preferred Skills

• Phase 2 — Full-Time Conversion
• Conversion may occur upon receipt of first Series A close funds (minimum threshold as defined by the Company).
• At that point:
• Base salary: $140,000–$160,000 annual
• Full-time employment status
• performance-based incentives may continue
• equity participation subject to Board approval
• No full-time salary prior to Series A