Business Development Lead

Key Responsibilities

• Build relationships with high-priority AI-native startups through direct outreach, partner referrals, events, and networking.
• Prioritize the startup landscape by maintaining a categorized list of Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies based on strategic importance, funding, and AI/ML trends.
• Drive growth, adoption, and partnerships on Snowflake, focusing ~80% on Tier 1 startups, facilitating executive introductions, supporting go-to-market efforts, and promoting Cortex AI products.
• Build demand generation and ecosystem visibility by recommending events, sponsorships, workshops, PR initiatives, and scaled programs.
• Measure outcomes and report progress on startup acquisitions, commitments, consumption, and engagement metrics; collaborate with Finance and Sales Operations for accurate tracking.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, startup ecosystem development, venture capital, corporate venture, GTM, cloud technology, AI/ML, or related field.
• Proven experience supporting high-growth startups, with preference for startup operating experience or close work with founders.
• Strong understanding of the AI technology stack, AI startup ecosystem, venture funding trends, cloud/data platform adoption, and key AI product trends.
• Established network across startup founders, VC firms, accelerators, enterprise tech leaders, and partners.
• Ability to translate Snowflake capabilities into startup value propositions (product adoption, customer access, GTM support, workload growth).
• Strong executive presence, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Founder empathy, strong judgment balancing startup needs with business priorities.
• Comfort with ambiguity in a fast-paced environment; data-oriented with ability to define metrics and track outcomes.

What Success Looks Like in 12 Months

• Built credible relationships with top VC firms and ecosystem partners for high-priority AI-native startup connections.
• Created meaningful engagements with top-tier AI startup founders and repeatable paths for Snowflake adoption.
• Led or supported scaled events and programs driving quality engagements and follow-up.
• Demonstrated innovative ideas for campaigns, events, or BD programs addressing tech trends or startup needs.
• Created trusted operating rhythm with Sales, Marketing, Product, AI Partnerships, Ventures, Solutions Engineering, Finance, and Sales Operations.