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About the Role

Mastercard is seeking a strategic and highly connected AI partnerships leader to identify, structure, and execute partnerships with organizations defining the future of AI. This role will engage frontier AI companies, research organizations, and startups to identify technologies, partnerships, and commercial opportunities for Mastercard. The individual will serve as a bridge between external AI partners and internal business priorities, translating emerging technologies into strategic business opportunities.

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.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, strategy, venture ecosystems, emerging technologies, or related fields.
Proven track record sourcing, negotiating, structuring, and executing complex partnership agreements with AI companies, startups, technology platforms, and enterprise-scale partners.
Strong understanding of AI technologies, market trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging business models.
Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives involving business, product, technology, and legal stakeholders.
Excellent relationship-building, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to synthesize market intelligence into strategic recommendations.
Established network of relationships across the AI, startup, venture capital, and technology ecosystem is highly desirable.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to senior executives.
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and highly collaborative environment.

Skills

Strategic mindset with the ability to identify emerging opportunities and translate them into tangible business outcomes.
Passion for innovation and emerging technologies.
Strong executive presence and influencing skills.
Commercial acumen and experience turning partnership opportunities into measurable business value.
Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive results across multiple stakeholders and workstreams.
Curiosity, adaptability, and a deep interest in the future of AI and its impact on commerce and technology.

Location

San Francisco, California

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

10+ years

Education Level

MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred

Salary/Compensations

$187,000 - $318,000 USD

Benefits

Insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance)
Flexible spending account and health savings account
Paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave)
80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time
25 days of vacation time
5 personal days
10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays
401k with a best-in-class company match
Deferred compensation for eligible roles
Fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities
Eligibility for tuition reimbursement

About the Company

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide.
Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper.
We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible.
Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Equal Opportunity

Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We hire the most qualified candidate for the role.
In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact reasonable_accommodation@mastercard.com and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.