Role Overview

Join Datadog as a Datadog for Startups Lead in San Francisco, California, and lead the charge in scaling our flagship DDFS program. Reporting directly to the Head of Datadog for Startups within the Corporate Development organization, you'll drive awareness, applications, and long-term customer growth among the world's most promising startups. This hybrid role combines strategic vision with hands-on execution across marketing, partnerships, operations, onboarding, and customer success.

Datadog's observability and security platform powers thousands of innovative cloud applications worldwide. As DDFS Program Lead, you'll ensure top startups discover Datadog's cloud monitoring, APM, log management, and security solutions early in their journey. Work cross-functionally with Sales, Customer Success, Product Management, and Corporate Development to deliver exceptional program experiences that convert free credits into enterprise-scale deployments.

Ideal candidates are startup ecosystem connectors with 6-8 years of experience in partnerships, community marketing, or program management. If you're passionate about Datadog observability, thrive in fast-paced environments, and have deep venture capital and accelerator networks, this role offers massive impact and career growth at a hyper-growth public company.

Key Responsibilities at Datadog

The Datadog for Startups Lead owns end-to-end program execution. Here's what you'll deliver:

• Startup Awareness & Growth: Design community strategies, events, and referral partnerships. Execute GTM targeting startups, VCs, accelerators.
• Digital Campaigns: Lead messaging, thought leadership, paid/organic growth across social, advertising, outbound channels.
• Program Operations: Own application intake, resolve sales conflicts, design scalable processes and automation.
• Health Monitoring: Maintain dashboards tracking applications, adoption, conversion metrics.
• Onboarding Excellence: Drive smooth startup onboarding, develop adoption playbooks and technical enablement.
• Customer Success: Oversee usage optimization, product expansion, guide teams from credits to paid ARR.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with Sales, CS, Product, Corp Dev to align strategies and surface insights.
• Ecosystem Building: Cultivate relationships with accelerators, VCs, and referral partners globally.
• Data Optimization: Analyze internal/external data to improve efficiency and program outcomes.
• Special Initiatives: Lead high-priority projects scaling DDFS impact worldwide.

Qualifications & Requirements

Datadog seeks proven operators who bridge strategy and execution:

• 6–8+ years in startups, partnerships, community marketing, sales, customer success, or program management
• Track record leading cross-functional programs in startup ecosystems
• Deep knowledge of fundraising, accelerators, venture capital networks
• Expertise in program design, process automation, data-driven decisions
• Experience scaling global community or GTM programs
• Strong communication skills engaging founders and C-suite executives
• Self-starter thriving in ambiguity with excellent relationship-building
• Analytical mindset prioritizing projects with limited resources

Datadog celebrates diverse backgrounds. Passion for cloud observability and startup growth outweighs perfect qualification matches.

Salary & Benefits

Datadog offers competitive total compensation for San Francisco-based Datadog for Startups Lead roles:

• Base Salary: $160,000 - $220,000 (depending on experience)
• Equity: RSU grants vesting over 4 years
• Bonus: Performance-based cash incentives
• Health: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision for families
• Wellness: Fitness reimbursements, mental health support
• Learning: Professional development budget
• Hybrid: Flexible SF office + remote work-life harmony
• Global Perks: Competitive PTO, parental leave, commuter benefits

Why Join Datadog?

Datadog powers the most innovative cloud-native companies with full-stack observability across infrastructure monitoring, application performance, log management, security, and more. As DDFS Lead, you'll:

• Shape a global startup program driving millions in ARR pipeline
• Build relationships with unicorn founders and top VCs
• Grow your career at a profitable public company (NASDAQ: DDOG)
• Work with cutting-edge Datadog cloud monitoring technologies
• Enjoy SF's vibrant tech ecosystem in hybrid model

Datadog's hybrid culture fosters collaboration, creativity, and work-life balance. Join 3,000+ Datadogs solving real engineering challenges at scale.

How to Apply

Ready to scale Datadog for Startups? Submit your resume and tell us why you're the ideal ecosystem connector. Applications reviewed on rolling basis. Direct hires only - no agencies. Datadog is equal opportunity employer.

Keywords: Datadog careers, startups lead jobs San Francisco, observability program manager, VC partnerships, cloud monitoring careers