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Partnerships Director for AI Ecosystems (Contract, Palo Alto)

Palo Alto, California, United States

We are seeking a Partnerships Director for AI Ecosystems (Contract) who focuses on identifying, orchestrating, and integrating emerging technologies, startups, and external capabilities that can help activate Mitsui-defined opportunity areas.

Working alongside designers, researchers, engineers, and business creators, you will identify opportunities, cultivate strategic relationships, evaluate emerging technologies, and help move promising ideas from exploration to proof of concept, pilot, and integration.

As a Partnerships Director for the AI Ecosystem, you will operate at the intersection of enterprise challenges and emerging ecosystems. You will build relationships across startups, technology companies, venture investors, research institutions, and corporate partners while helping shape Moon's perspective on emerging opportunities and how they can create value for Mitsui.

This is a part-time contract role based in the San Francisco Bay Area with an hourly rate of $100 - $150 and a minimum of 20 hours per week, with the possibility of contract extension based on business needs and performance.

What You’ll Do at Moon

Ecosystem Development & Partnership Building

  • Build and maintain relationships across startup, venture, research, technology, and corporate ecosystems relevant to Mitsui's strategic priorities
  • Serve as a front-line representative of Moon, cultivating relationships and expanding Moon's network across external ecosystems
  • Identify emerging technologies, startups, and strategic partners that could meaningfully activate Mitsui-defined opportunity areas
  • Identify, evaluate, and develop partnerships with startups, technology providers, research institutions, and strategic collaborators
  • Represent Moon at conferences, ecosystem events, founder meetings, and industry engagements around the world

Opportunity Identification & Curation

  • Develop informed perspectives on emerging technologies, market shifts, industry dynamics, and future opportunities, with particular focus on AI
  • Conduct strategic, commercial, and partnership diligence on emerging technologies, startups, and potential collaborators
  • Curate opportunities, technologies, and partnerships aligned with strategic priorities and long-term business value
  • Apply strong judgment and discernment when evaluating opportunities, distinguishing meaningful signals from market noise
  • Develop ecosystem maps, opportunity landscapes, and strategic recommendations
  • Help Moon and Mitsui identify where emerging technologies and external capabilities have the greatest potential to create impact

The Must-Haves 

  • A strong existing network of founders, venture capital firms, accelerators, and emerging technology companies across the AI ecosystem.
  • Proven experience in relationship building, partnership development, and ecosystem curation across startups, corporations, and research institutions.
  • Strong familiarity with emerging technologies (particularly AI/ML) and the ability to evaluate technical opportunities and trends without needing a formal engineering background.
  • Ability to effectively translate between deep business/enterprise challenges and cutting-edge technical possibilities.
  • Exceptional relationship-building skills with a proven track record of influencing and managing multiple stakeholders across functions and seniority levels.
  • Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and build trust across diverse cultures.
  • A proactive self-starter with a high degree of ownership and the ability to create clear structures within highly ambiguous environments.
  • Ability to independently lead complex initiatives from initial exploration through to proof of concept (PoC), pilot, and integration.
  • Comfortable and effective at representing the firm in both internal corporate settings and external high-profile industry events/conferences worldwide

The Nice-to-Haves 

  • Spanish language proficiency
  • Japanese language proficiency
  • Startup founder experience
  • Venture capital, venture studio, accelerator, or corporate venture experience
  • Background in strategy consulting, product, innovation, or business development
  • Existing relationships within startup, venture, research, or technology communities

Working style:

  • The role includes regular engagement with external partners, ecosystem events, and stakeholders across industries and geographies
  • Occasional travel to Tokyo, South America, and other locations may be required

Sounds fun, right? 

If you identify with Moon's values and would like to contribute to our work, please submit your resume and cover letter (optional)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

Moon Creative Lab is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, veteran or military status, unfavorable military discharge, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

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