# AI Partnerships Lead

**Company:** [Benchling](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/benchling)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA
**Role:** Partnerships
**Salary:** $173k – $235k/yr
**Experience:** 4+ years
**Skills:** AI/ML, Partnerships, Business Development, data licensing, Deal Negotiation, ecosystem sourcing, life sciences, product integrations
**Posted:** 2026-07-15

> Own Benchling's key AI partnerships, structuring and closing deals for data licensing, integrations, and co-development while building the AI ecosystem playbook. Requires 4+ years in partnerships/BD, strong AI/ML knowledge, and executive relationship management.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end relationships with Benchling's most important AI partners across frontier model labs, scientific model providers, and infrastructure partners.
- Structure commercial arrangements across the data ecosystem, sourcing external data and models and licensing Benchling's data and platform capabilities.
- Structure, negotiate, and close commercial deals across product integrations, co-marketing, and co-development; work across Legal, Finance, Product, and GTM.
- Build a repeatable playbook for engaging the AI ecosystem: pipeline, pricing, deal structures, and success metrics.
- Source, diligence, and place bets on next-generation AI/ML companies from stealth startups to public players.
- Represent Benchling at events, in the field, and in front of senior executives.

## 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 ability to translate between research and commercial audiences.
- Comfort operating across the full deal lifecycle: sourcing, qualification, discovery, negotiation, contracting, and post-signature delivery.
- Strong written communication skills.
- Demonstrated engagement and relationships across the AI ecosystem (plus).
- Deep curiosity about how AI is reshaping R&D; prior work in life sciences or degree in biology, chemistry, bioengineering or similar (plus).

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