Business Development Manager

About Tiki Ai

Tiki AI builds the infrastructure that teaches frontier AGI systems how to think, not just predict. We turn top-tier human expertise in STEM, code, and other domains into high-signal training data through cognitive extraction, going far beyond basic labeling. We help stabilize complex reasoning and fix long-horizon agent failures in production-scale systems. Our momentum is accelerating rapidly. We are the trusted partner for several of the top-5 frontier labs, driving exponential, multimillion dollar quarterly growth. We are hiring the team that will define how the world's most advanced AI models are trained and evaluated. If you want to work at the infrastructure layer of AGI, not the periphery, this is where that happens.

About The Role

This is a relationship-first business development role on a small, high-ownership team where everyone contributes across the full commercial cycle. You will identify and engage target stakeholders at frontier AI labs and enterprise AI organizations, build genuine relationships over time, and work alongside the Director of Sales, COO, and technical team to move those relationships toward active programs. This is not a volume-based outreach role. The accounts are technically sophisticated and require a credible, research-driven approach. You will be expected to understand the landscape, do the work to understand each contact's context, and show up to every conversation prepared.

What You Will Do

• Identify, research, and engage target stakeholders at frontier AI labs and enterprise AI organizations
• Build and maintain a structured account and contact strategy: stakeholder maps, relationship status, outreach history, and next-step hypothesis for each priority account
• Qualify and advance opportunities through early-stage commercial conversations, working closely with the Director of Sales on discovery and deal shaping
• Surface market intelligence (personnel changes, published research, procurement signals, competitive activity) and feed it into account strategy
• Maintain CRM discipline by keeping contact records, interaction history, and next-step hypothesis updated after every meaningful interaction
• Collaborate with and learn from senior team members on outreach quality, deal strategy, and account development

What Success Looks Like in the First 6–12 Weeks

• You have built an active, well-researched contact list across priority accounts with documented relationship status and clear next steps for each
• At least one target account has advanced to a discovery conversation or pilot discussion as a result of your outreach
• The Director of Sales consistently treats you as a reliable research and outreach partner and pulls you into early-stage deal conversations
• Your CRM hygiene and account documentation are a model for the team

What We Are Looking For

• 2–4 years in B2B business development, sales development, or partnerships at a technology company, with a track record of developing relationships and advancing opportunities through research-driven, credibility-first outreach
• Familiarity with the AI industry: understanding of how AI products are built, how data and evaluation fit into that process, and who the key players are
• Strong written communication: able to construct outreach that is specific, credible, and relevant to the recipient without sounding templated
• Organized and disciplined: comfortable owning a structured account list and keeping CRM records current without being prompted
• Curious and coachable: willing to learn the technical landscape deeply and take direction from senior team members on approach and priorities
• High-ownership operating style; comfortable contributing in an environment where the playbook is still being written
• Experience with or exposure to frontier AI lab accounts

Compensation And Benefits

• Base salary $150,000 plus variable compensation tied to closed revenue through Tiki's pod-based commission model
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, transit supplement, and gym reimbursement

Who Should Apply

• This role is relevant to candidates currently holding or recently holding titles including: Business Development Manager, Business Development Representative, Sales Development Representative, Strategic SDR, Partnerships Associate, Commercial Associate, Growth Associate (AI/ML), AI Data BDM, Technical BDR (AI Infrastructure), Partnerships Development Manager, Market Development Representative, Enterprise BDR.