Partnership Manager - Autonomous Vehicle

Location: Berlin or Hamburg Freenow by Lyft empowers smarter mobility decisions helping people to move freely and cities to thrive. We are leading the future of autonomous mobility in Europe and are now hiring a Partnership Manager - Autonomous Vehicle to drive AV partnerships for Freenow by Lyft, working across the AV ecosystem in multiple countries. You will manage European partner relationships end-to-end, cultivate a pipeline of new opportunities, and ultimately help establish Lyft as the region's preferred AV commercialisation partner. This highly collaborative, fast-paced role offers significant autonomy, a chance to decisively shape an emerging industry, and a position as Lyft's most senior AV partnership presence in Europe. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of owning complex, ’first of a kind’ multi-party commercial relationships, from initial deal structuring through long-term growth. Prior experience in the European mobility or automotive ecosystem is a plus. You are an expert communicator, able to confidently manage complex negotiations and operate at the executive level with diverse partners across different cultures and geographies. You excel at building trusted relationships from scratch, navigating ambiguity, and driving critical deals forward with minimal day-to-day oversight. Be ready to work at the cutting edge of mobility in a multinational, diverse, highly motivated and collaborative team of passionate professionals who strive for excellence and like to have fun. Are you ready for your next ride? YOUR DAILY ADVENTURES WILL INCLUDE: • Own Lyft Europe’s AV partner relationships end-to-end, serving as the primary external point of contact for partner leadership in the region • Steer negotiations across our partnerships, coordinating input from cross-functional specialists and navigating complex commercial structures • Lead European top-of-funnel origination, identifying, qualifying, and advancing new AV partner conversations across the European ecosystem • Track partner deliverables and milestones across active partnerships, proactively flagging risks and resolving commercial issues before they escalate • Manage ongoing partner relationships and own the vision for our in-flight deployments, identifying opportunities to expand the scope and scale of each partnership • Manage partner-side reporting obligations and ensure Lyft's commitments are met on time and to a high standard • Serve as Lyft's eyes and ears in the European AV market — tracking new entrants, funding rounds, partnerships, and competitive moves to inform pipeline prioritisation and strategy • Work closely with the wider Freenow teams across Europe to ensure alignment on European market strategy and leverage local expertise and relationships • Represent the European perspective in Lyft's global AV Business Development strategy discussions TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE: • 7+ years of experience in strategic partnerships with deep knowledge of the European automotive or mobility ecosystem • Established relationships with European AV companies, OEMs, or fleet operators • Demonstrated track record of owning senior-level commercial relationships with complex, multi-party stakeholders • Strong commercial instincts, able to read a deal structure, identify risks, and negotiate effectively • Comfortable operating with significant autonomy in a remote setup, able to represent Freenow/Lyft at a senior level externally without close day-to-day oversight • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional European languages (German,French, Spanish) are a plus • Experience working with or across Chinese technology companies is a plus • Prior exposure to the EU mobility regulatory landscape is a plus BENEFITS & PERKS IN A NUTSHELL: • Flexible working arrangements • LinkedIn Learning • Sabbatical & special leave policies • WeRoad partnership • Birthday, 24th + 31st December off • Short term EU work policy • Mobility Credit • Health Insurance • Employee assistance program Plus more local benefits depending on your work location! DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION: Freenow is an equal opportunity employer and we consider qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or age. We want you to grow and evolve, bring your true self to work. ABOUT FREENOW: Freenow by Lyft empowers smarter mobility decisions, helping people to move freely and cities to thrive. Through our multi-mobility app, we feature broad options for everyone across 9 European markets and over 180 cities. Millions of passengers can access services including taxis, private hire vehicles, carsharing, car rental, e-scooters, e-bikes, e-mopeds, and public transport within a single app. In July 2025 Freenow was acquired by Lyft, a global mobility platform, which connects riders and drivers for billions of rides across North America and Europe. Together, Freenow and Lyft are creating a more caring and connected world, with transportation for everyone. We are a global, diverse, highly motivated, and collaborative team that strives for excellence and likes to have fun. Ready for your next ride?