AI Partnerships Lead
$173,400–$234,600 year
On-siteSan Francisco, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead partnerships with frontier model labs, scientific AI providers, and infrastructure partners to structure and close deals spanning data licensing, product integrations, and co-development. Source, diligence, and place bets on the next generation of AI/ML companies to shape which ones become Benchling partners while building a repeatable playbook for ecosystem engagement. Represent Benchling at industry events and engage senior executives at partner organizations to drive commercial reality across the data economy. Work closely with Product, Legal, Finance, and GTM teams to turn partnership commitments into tangible outcomes.
Required Qualifications
- 4+ years combined experience across partnerships, business development, enterprise sales, corporate development, consulting, investment banking, venture capital, life sciences, tech, or startups
- Bias for action and comfort with ambiguity; energized by building the playbook while running live deals
- Track record of managing senior external relationships and engaging credibly at the executive level, including with CEOs, CFOs, and technical leadership
- Strong knowledge of AI/ML and the ability to translate between research and commercial audiences; a technical background is not required, but you should be comfortable in substantive conversations with researchers, engineers, and product teams
- Comfort operating across the full deal lifecycle: sourcing and qualification, discovery, negotiation, contracting alongside Legal, and post-signature delivery
- Strong written communication, with the ability to translate complex and uncertain ideas into clear, concise, and decisive recommendations
- Demonstrated engagement and relationships across the AI ecosystem
- Deep curiosity about how AI is reshaping R&D
- Prior work experience in life sciences or a degree in a scientific discipline (biology, chemistry, bioengineering, or similar)
Desired Qualifications
- Comfortable in substantive conversations with researchers, engineers, and product teams
- Technical background
Hiring someone like this?
Get your role in front of qualified candidates on Sorce.