AI Strategic Partnerships, Director

Key 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.

What You'll Bring

• 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.

Corporate Security Responsibility

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.