Director of Private Equity Partnerships

Location: New York, NY

Department: Sales

About the Position

We are seeking an entrepreneurial commercial leader to build Navan’s private equity partnerships program into a measurable, scalable growth channel. The successful candidate will deepen and activate Navan’s existing PE relationships while significantly expanding coverage across priority sponsors and portfolio companies. They will turn that broader reach into commercial opportunities by setting the strategy, building repeatable engagement motions, and working closely with Sales.

Responsibilities

• Build and own the PE partnerships strategy
  • Develop and execute a strategy to make private equity a meaningful source of qualified pipeline, new customers, and revenue.
  • Identify and prioritize target firms based on portfolio fit, industry and company size, operating influence, existing Navan customer relationships, and commercial potential.
  • Create a tiered coverage model: high-touch engagement with priority sponsors and scalable programs for the broader middle-market PE ecosystem.
  • Define the program’s operating model, commercial objectives, performance measures, and investment priorities in partnership with Sales, Rev Ops, Finance, and Marketing.
• Develop strategic relationships with PE firms
  • Build trusted relationships with investment professionals, operating partners, portfolio operations teams, and other stakeholders who can influence portfolio-company priorities.
  • Position Navan as a valuable travel and expense partner for relevant portfolio companies, with a clear case for cost savings, spend visibility, and operational efficiency.
  • Develop partnership arrangements and joint engagement plans that create value for PE firms and their portfolio companies.
  • Represent Navan at industry events, portfolio leadership forums, operating-partner roundtables, and executive meetings.
• Translate partnerships into commercial results
  • Develop portfolio-level campaigns that generate qualified introductions to portfolio-company decision-makers.
  • Work directly with Sales leadership and account executives on active opportunities: coordinate outreach, make relevant sponsor introductions, identify deal blockers, and help advance opportunities through the sales cycle.
  • Build repeatable programs for portfolio mapping, account targeting, executive engagement, partner activation, and follow-through.
  • Establish clear accountability for partner-sourced and partner-influenced pipeline, bookings, and revenue, using consistent definitions with Revenue Operations.
  • Track results and refine the program based on commercial outcomes, partner engagement, and portfolio-company adoption.
• Engage across the PE investment lifecycle
  • Develop a strong understanding of how PE firms engage with portfolio companies, including value-creation priorities, acquisitions, carve-outs, and integration needs.
  • Build relationships with M&A advisors and deal teams to create entry points around acquisitions and portfolio transitions.
  • Help operating partners connect Navan to portfolio value-creation plans.
• Build a scalable partnerships organization
  • Create the processes, playbooks, systems, collateral, and reporting infrastructure needed to scale the program.
  • Develop the team structure and coverage model as the business grows, with differentiated approaches for strategic sponsors and the broader PE market.
  • Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing partnerships team as the program expands.
  • Collaborate across Sales, Marketing, Revenue Operations, Corporate Development, and other functions to integrate PE partnerships into Navan’s go-to-market organization.

Requirements

• 8+ years of relevant experience in one or more of the following: PE value creation, PE partnerships, or commercial roles at high-growth B2B software or technology companies.
• Experience building a PE partnerships program from the ground up, including channel strategy, partner activation, value-creation initiatives, and events.
• Track record leading commercial teams and consistently achieving pipeline and revenue targets.
• Experience hiring and managing high-performing teams.
• Established network across PE firms, operating partners, and portfolio-company finance leaders.
• Understanding of the PE investment lifecycle; M&A, acquisition, or carve-out experience preferred.
• Strong commercial judgment and analytical skills; able to prioritize with data and work with Sales on complex enterprise deals.
• Hands-on, independent operator who can build the systems and processes to scale a new program.
• Excellent communicator and relationship builder who earns trust while translating PE relationships into commercial outcomes.
• Willingness to travel regularly to engage sponsors and portfolio companies.

We Offer

• Competitive salary range: $167,400-$372,000 USD
• Comprehensive benefits program designed to support your well-being, financial security, and life outside of work.
• Opportunities for long-term financial growth through retirement savings programs and equity plans.
• Flexible time off, country-specific holidays, and paid parental leave for all new parents.
• Connectivity and commuting support, mental health resources, and exclusive travel-related perks.

About the Company

Navan (Nasdaq: NAVN) is the global AI-powered business travel and expense platform that makes travel easy for frequent travelers. From finding flights and hotels, to automating expense reconciliation, with 24/7 support along the way, Navan delivers an intuitive experience travelers love and finance teams rely on. See how Navan customers benefit and learn more at navan.com.

Culture of Excellence

Our team is our competitive edge - a high-performance group of smart, driven people committed to winning together. This dedication to excellence is why we’ve been recognized as a Best Place to Work by Built In (2023–2026), a G2 Best Global Software Company (2025–2026), Forbes Cloud 100 (2022–2025), and CNBC Disruptor 50 (2022–2025). At Navan, we provide an environment where top talent excels, offering the autonomy and fast-paced trajectory needed to build a defining career and do the best work of your life.

Equal Opportunity

Navan is an equal opportunity employer. We make all employment decisions based solely on merit. We provide equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without discrimination on the bases of race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We prohibit any such discrimination or harassment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring.

Accommodations

Navan complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law. Navan will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability in connection with applications for employment as required by law.

If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, you are welcome to email us at [email protected].