Head of Partnerships

Subsense
2445 Faber Pl +3 more
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to candidates with deep experience in strategic partnerships and a background in AI or frontier tech, working in a small, interdisciplinary team environment in the Bay Area.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a history of building 0→1 partnerships in AI or deep tech
    — “Proven ability to structure and secure partnerships that deliver tangible outcomes”
  • Individuals who thrive in small teams shaping novel platforms from early-stage research
    — “You’ll help translate early research into working technology, with the opportunity to influence both the platform and how we build it.”
  • Candidates with a background in engaging and negotiating with top-tier tech companies
    — “Identify, engage, and close strategic partnerships with top-tier technology companies”

Things to consider

  • The role involves shaping technical development, not just managing partnerships
    — “Own meaningful technical work: Take projects from early R&D through functional prototypes”
  • This position is based in the Bay Area, requiring in-person presence in Palo Alto and Mountain View
    — “Our work takes place across labs in Palo Alto and Mountain View.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your experience in closing partnerships with major tech firms during interviews
    — “Proven track record of closing 0→1 partnerships with major tech companies”
  • Demonstrate your ability to translate technical research into commercial narratives
    — “Translate early-stage science into compelling commercial narratives tailored to technical and executive audiences”
  • Showcase your capability to manage high-level stakeholder relationships across product and research teams
    — “Build and manage senior relationships across product, research, and corporate development teams”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Company

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Define partnership strategy
  • Identify and close strategic partnerships
  • Build senior relationships
  • Translate early-stage science into commercial narratives
Typical background
strategic partnershipscorporate developmentbusiness development

Skills & requirements

Required

Partnership StrategyStrategic PartnershipsCorporate DevelopmentClosing PartnershipsExecutive Presence

Preferred

AIInfrastructureDeveloper PlatformsFrontier Tech

Stack & domain

Strategic PartnershipsPlatform PartnershipsCorporate DevelopmentAIInfrastructureDeveloper PlatformsFrontier TechExecutive PresenceCommunication

About the role

Original posting from Subsense via Lever

About Subsense

Subsense is a deep-tech company developing the world’s first non-surgical, bidirectional brain-computer interface powered by plasmonic and magnetoelectric nanoparticles. Our mission is to unlock direct communication between the human brain and AI - starting with medical applications such as stroke recovery and moving toward cognitive enhancement for healthy users. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Subsense brings together leading scientists and engineers to redefine the future of human–machine interaction.

What You'll Do:

  • Define partnership strategy (build vs. buy vs. partner) and prioritize highest-leverage opportunities
  • Identify, engage, and close strategic partnerships with top-tier technology companies (e.g., hyperscalers, AI labs, platform providers)
  • Build and manage senior relationships across product, research, and corporate development teams
  • Originate and structure LOIs, pilot agreements, and joint development partnerships pre-product
  • Translate early-stage science into compelling commercial narratives tailored to technical and executive audiences
  • Drive measurable partnership outcomes, including access to data, infrastructure, and distribution channels
  • Own partnership KPIs (e.g., number of LOIs, pilots, and strategic integrations secured)

What You Bring:

  • 8–15+ years in strategic partnerships / platform partnerships / corporate development
  • Proven ability to structure and secure partnerships that deliver tangible outcomes, including access to data, infrastructure, and distribution channels
  • Proven track record of closing 0→1 partnerships with major tech companies
  • Experience selling pre-product, platform, or deep tech concepts
  • Strong executive presence; able to engage VP/C-suite stakeholders
  • Background in AI, infrastructure, developer platforms, or frontier tech strongly preferred
  • Highly autonomous, structured, and outcomes-driven

Why You’ll Thrive

You'd be joining a small team developing a non-surgical, bidirectional brain-computer interface powered by plasmonic and magnetoelectric nanoparticles. You’ll help translate early research into working technology, with the opportunity to influence both the platform and how we build it.

A few things that make this different:

Own meaningful technical work: Take projects from early R&D through functional prototypes, with room to test ideas, solve complex problems, and shape design decisions.

Build across disciplines: Work hands-on with ultrasound, electronics, and instrumentation alongside scientists and engineers in neuroscience, nanotechnology, and AI.

Help shape a novel platform: Contribute to technology with the potential to restore neurological function and, over time, enable direct brain-to-AI communication.

Make a visible impact: Join a team where your contributions directly influence technical progress, with equity that lets you share in the company’s growth.

Our work takes place across labs in Palo Alto and Mountain View. We offer a competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k), commuter benefits, and paid time off.

Subsense is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Source: Subsense careers (Lever)

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