Partnerships Lead

About the Role We’re hiring a Partnerships Lead to help build and scale Unit21’s strategic partner ecosystem at the intersection of AI, data, and financial services. In this role, you’ll work closely with Product, Engineering, and GTM teams to develop partnerships that extend the reach of Unit21’s AI-powered risk and investigation platform. This role is ideal for someone early in their career who is AI-native, analytically strong, and intellectually curious, and who wants to grow into a senior partnerships leader by helping define how modern AI systems are commercialized and brought to market in regulated environments. What You Will Be Doing Help define and execute Unit21’s partnerships strategy with a focus on AI-driven risk, data, and workflow platforms Identify, evaluate, and build relationships with AI-forward fintechs, data providers, infrastructure platforms, system integrators, and research-driven startups Develop joint value propositions and partner narratives that clearly articulate how Unit21’s Agentic AI, data pipelines, and human-in-the-loop workflows outperform legacy, rules-only systems Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, and Data teams to support partner integrations, proofs of concept, and technical evaluations with clear success criteria (e.g., improved detection accuracy, reduced false positives, faster investigations) Partner with GTM teams to support AI-centric co-marketing and go-to-market initiatives, including events, content, and joint customer engagements Engage with partner stakeholders across business, product, engineering, and data science functions to align on shared objectives Track and analyze partner performance metrics, including pipeline influence, product adoption, and strategic impact Support partnership negotiations and agreements, developing fluency in commercial, legal, and technical considerations Represent Unit21 at AI, fintech, and financial services events, conferences, and academic or startup-focused forums What We’re Looking For 2–5 years of experience in partnerships, business development, strategy, technical GTM, or research commercialization, ideally within AI, data, fintech, or enterprise software environments AI-native technical fluency: comfort discussing modern AI and machine learning concepts (e.g., model-driven decisioning, data pipelines, human-in-the-loop systems, evaluation metrics) and translating them into real-world business impact Strong academic background in a technical or analytical discipline (e.g., computer science, data science, engineering, applied math, economics, or related fields) Ability to engage in credible, structured conversations about complex AI-powered systems with both technical and non-technical stakeholders Curiosity about how modern AI approaches outperform legacy, rules-based systems, particularly in regulated or high-stakes environments Analytical, metrics-driven mindset, with interest in assessing partnership value through experimentation, signal, and outcomes Comfort operating in fast-moving, ambiguous environments where products, messaging, and markets are still evolving High levels of intellectual curiosity, humility, and hustle, with clear interest in growing into a long-term partnerships leadership role Bonus Points Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field Exposure to fraud, AML, compliance, or broader risk ecosystems Experience working at early-stage or high-growth startups Hands-on experience with AI, data, analytics, or workflow platforms (technical, commercial, or academic) Familiarity with structured frameworks for evaluating complex deals, partnerships, or technical initiatives Work Location Hybrid - San Francisco Compensation The base salary range for this role is $180,000–$220,000 annually, depending on experience and location. This range does not include bonuses, equity, or other incentives. What We Offer Competitive salary and pre-IPO equity 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee) Unlimited PTO and generous leave programs 401(k), learning & development stipend, and home office setup support Inclusive, high-ownership culture focused on impact, innovation, and growth Equal Opportunity Unit21 is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every listed requirement. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive workforce.