Partnerships Director

Posted 3 days ago

Awarded Best Coffee Magazine and Best European Indie Magazine of 2023, Standart is an independent print magazine that delves into the fascinating world of coffee culture, delivering inspiring literary journeys for coffee lovers, regardless of their level of expertise. Delivered quarterly to the doorsteps of more than 14,000 readers worldwide, each issue presents a harmonious blend of stories and perspectives encompassing every aspect of the coffee chain, from seed to cup.

We cover a wide range of topics, from the historical to the sociological, scientific, and cultural, approaching every theme with precision and expertise. The work of our contributors is accompanied by a beautiful aesthetic expression that will last in print, so that in the end, high-quality content that treats complex themes is presented with elegance and clarity.

For us, coffee is not an end in itself, but a means—a unique and enriching avenue for exploring lifestyle, illuminating the way we live and how we understand ourselves. A decade of work is behind us, yet our storytelling fire still burns bright, casting shadows of tales yet untold.

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About us

Standart is a magazine for the coffee curious. Founded in 2014, with over 40 issues and more than 600 stories published, we are an independent print magazine exploring coffee, the people behind it, and the culture that surrounds it.

Published quarterly in English and Japanese and read in over 100 countries, Standart is an award‑winning publication created by a small, dedicated team working remotely across six countries and multiple time zones.

At Standart, we see coffee as a way to connect with extraordinary people and ideas that matter. In a world overflowing with anxiety and instant dopamine, we help the coffee curious cut through the noise, slow down, and explore the world through coffee—one issue at a time.

For partners, Standart offers something increasingly rare: a deeply engaged, global readership that trusts our taste and takes its time to enjoy fine storytelling.

The role

We’re looking for a Partnerships Director to lead and grow brand partnerships at Standart.

This is a senior, autonomous role. You’ll be responsible for partnerships from the first conversation to renewal—building on existing relationships, starting new ones, and turning them into thoughtful collaborations that work for our readers, our partners, and our business.

You’ll work directly with some of the most respected coffee and lifestyle brands in the world. You’ll help shape what partnerships at Standart look like, while personally leading key conversations, negotiations, and projects.

What success looks like

In this role, your goal is simple: build long-term relationships with great brands, help them succeed through Standart, and turn that into sustainable revenue for our magazine.

In practice, this means:

Taking responsibility for partnerships from first conversation to signed agreement, delivery, and renewal
Bringing in a steady flow of partners that genuinely fit Standart
Closing deals and following through on what’s been agreed
Focusing on long-term collaborations rather than one-off campaigns
Making sure partnerships are useful for partners and respectful of our readers

In your first 6–12 months, you’ll likely:

Take over 50+ existing partner relationships and deepen them
Learn our existing media kit and partnership offering, use it confidently with partners, and gradually refine it based on real conversations and outcomes
Secure new long-term partners, including outside the immediate coffee industry
Improve how we explain the impact of partnerships, internally and externally

Key responsibilities

Finding and securing the right partners: Identify, approach, and close partnerships with brands whose products, values, and ambitions are a good fit for Standart
Shaping partnerships: Decide which kinds of collaborations make sense for us, using our existing partnership formats and offerings as a foundation
Relationship ownership: Be the main point of contact for partners, build trust over time, and turn successful projects into long-term relationships
Getting things done: Lead partnership projects from agreement to delivery across print, digital, social, and events, working closely with editorial and creative teams
Learning and improving: Pay attention to what worked, what didn’t, and use that insight to improve future collaborations
Being present: Represent Standart at selected industry events, trade shows, and festivals

About you

You’re genuinely excited about Standart and motivated to build long-term relationships with brands in coffee and adjacent cultural spaces
You have experience in partnerships, advertising, sales, account management, or business development—ideally in specialty coffee, publishing, or lifestyle
You’re comfortable discussing money, negotiating agreements, and taking responsibility for outcomes
You communicate clearly and thoughtfully, in writing and in conversation, in English
You enjoy working independently in a small, remote, international team
You’re organised, reliable, and able to manage your own time
You don’t need aggressive sales targets to stay motivated—but you do care about results
You’re based in Europe (preferred), and open to some travel and calls across time zones

What this role is not

High‑volume ad sales
Chasing short‑term campaigns that don’t serve our readers
Working inside a large hierarchy or rigid sales organisation

What we offer

A chance to shape and grow partnerships at a globally recognised, independent media brand
A full-time role as a regular, long-term member of the Standart team
A contract-based setup suited to our international, fully remote structure (you’ll invoice us monthly)
Real autonomy and trust—you won’t be handed a rigid sales machine to run
Close collaboration with a small, thoughtful team and world-class coffee and lifestyle companies
Competitive compensation for an independent media brand, paid monthly, with performance-based upside tied to the partnerships you secure and grow
A focused working environment with strong creative ambition

Next steps

If this sounds like you, please send us a cover letter explaining why you’re excited about this role at Standart and why you’d be a great fit for our team.

We believe the coffee world is richer when it’s diverse, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, genders, and identities.

If selected, we’d like you to start in or around April 2026.

Applications are open until 15 February 2025.