Head of AI Partnerships & Strategy

Mastercard; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Mastercard is seeking a strategic and highly connected AI partnerships leader to identify, structure, and execute partnerships with organizations shaping the future of AI.

This role will lead collaborations with frontier AI companies, startups, and research institutions, translating emerging technologies into strategic business opportunities and driving cross‑functional alignment across product, engineering, legal, and strategy.

Qualifications

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• Proven track record sourcing, negotiating, structuring, and executing complex partnership agreements with AI companies, startups, technology platforms, and enterprise-scale partners.
• Established network of relationships across the AI, startup, venture capital, and technology ecosystem is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of AI technologies, market trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging business models.
• 10+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, strategy, venture ecosystems, emerging technologies, or related fields.
• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives involving business, product, technology, and legal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to synthesize market intelligence into strategic recommendations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to senior executives.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and highly collaborative environment.
• Excellent relationship-building, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong executive presence and influencing skills.
• Passion for innovation and emerging technologies.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive results across multiple stakeholders and workstreams.
• Commercial acumen and experience turning partnership opportunities into measurable business value.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and a deep interest in the future of AI and its impact on commerce and technology.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to identify emerging opportunities and translate them into tangible business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of strategic partnerships with leading AI companies, startups, venture-backed innovators, and technology providers.
• Structure, negotiate, and execute partnership agreements from sourcing through signature.
• Serve as the primary owner for exploratory engagements, pilot programs, and proof-of-concept initiatives with AI partners.
• Own partner onboarding and operationalization, working across Product, Engineering, Legal, and Business to bring partnerships live.
• Identify, evaluate, and advance partnership opportunities that align with Mastercard’s strategic priorities and AI roadmap.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across product, engineering, legal, strategy, and business stakeholders to successfully execute complex partnership initiatives.
• Collaborate with product and business leaders across Mastercard to uncover high-impact opportunities for AI-enabled innovation.
• Support engagement with Mastercard Start Path participants and other startup partners to identify opportunities aligned with Mastercard’s strategic priorities.
• Monitor and analyze AI market developments, competitive dynamics, startup activity, and emerging technology trends to generate actionable insights.
• Develop executive-level recommendations on partnership opportunities, market trends, and emerging technologies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective AI partners.

Skills

AI partnerships

Strategic partnerships

Business development

Strategy

Product strategy

Partnerships management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Executive communications

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical capabilities

Relationship building

Education

MBA or equivalent advanced degree

Job description

Mastercard is seeking a strategic and highly connected AI partnerships leader to identify, structure, and execute partnerships with organizations shaping the future of AI.

This role will lead collaborations with frontier AI companies, startups, and research institutions, translating emerging technologies into strategic business opportunities and driving cross‑functional alignment across product, engineering, legal, and strategy.