Head of Business Development (Ads / Monetization / Revenue)

About this role

This role is with one of our portfolio company.

Role Overview:
We're looking for a Head of Business Development to build and scale the partnerships and alliances engine. This is a 1→10 role — you'll define the strategy, close high-impact partnerships, and turn them into meaningful growth, engagement, and revenue. This role sits at the intersection of growth, product, and brand, and demands someone who can walk into a room with a CMO or CEO and own the conversation. You'll own both the revenue partnerships charter and the user acquisition engine, working directly alongside founders and leadership.

Roles & Responsibilities:

1. Revenue Partnerships
Own and drive the revenue partnerships charter — co-branded campaigns, affiliate deals, and advertiser relationships
Build direct relationships with large brand marketing teams and agency partners
Sell the company's platform (impressions, engagement, reach among India's consumers) as a media and distribution vehicle
Structure sustainable, high-value commercial deals that compound over time

2. Brand & Lifestyle Alliances
Position the company as a lifestyle brand deeply resonant with audiences
Drive partnerships with fashion, music, content, and brands
Conceptualize and execute high-impact co-branded campaigns

3. Merchant & Payments Ecosystem
Expand the company's presence across online and offline merchants
Drive partnerships with QSR chains, e-commerce platforms, OTT, and gaming brands
Increase transaction frequency and stickiness through relevant merchant coverage

4. Institutional Partnerships
Build alliances with institutes and communities
Drive trust-led onboarding at scale

5. User Acquisition via Partnerships
Build partnerships that unlock high-quality user acquisition at scale
Identify and onboard partners across gaming, edtech, creator ecosystems, and other platforms
Create scalable distribution funnels via integrations and co-branded experiences
Requirements

Must-Haves:
12+ years in business development, ad sales, partnerships, or strategic alliances
Strong, proven network across large media and brands agencies
Deep understanding of digital advertising and ad monetisation- ability to package and sell the company's platform traffic, clicks, and impressions as a high-value media asset to brands and agencies
Track record of building and scaling revenue-generating partnerships with large advertisers
Exceptional storytelling and strategic thinking — able to lead CXO-level conversations with authority
Raw intelligence and sharp product and business instincts — comfortable operating alongside founders and C-suite
Data-driven approach to evaluating and structuring deals
Strong negotiation skills and high ownership mindset
Builder mentality — thrives in ambiguity and moves fast
Strong network across consumer platforms and brands

Good to Haves:
Prior experience in working in a consumer internet, product-led companies
Familiarity with creator ecosystems
AI-native mindset

What Success Looks Like
Revenue is the scoreboard — own it, grow it, and be accountable to it from day one
Significant share of new user acquisition driven via partner channels
Reduction in CAC through scalable alliances
Growth in monthly transactions per user