Strategic Partnership Manager — AI Ecosystem

About Us GridCARE is a leading venture-backed startup solving the most critical constraint in AI’s growth trajectory: immediate access to power. As demand for computing skyrockets, access to energy has become the defining bottleneck in the AI infrastructure race. While leading tech companies invest billions in speculative, long-term solutions that may take decades to arrive, GridCARE’s pioneering physics-based generative AI platform unlocks gigawatts of hidden capacity in today’s electric grid — enabling hyperscalers, data center developers, and utilities to power AI infrastructure years sooner than conventional approaches and without costly upgrades. Founded at Stanford’s Doerr School of Sustainability and backed by leading climate-tech and deep-tech investors, GridCARE has assembled a world-class team spanning power systems, AI, and infrastructure. At GridCARE, you will: ⚡ Work at the intersection of AI, energy, and infrastructure — the foundation of the next industrial revolution. 🤝 Partner with hyperscalers, developers, and utilities on high-impact, real-world deployments. 🌎 Help shape a more abundant, efficient, and resilient energy future for the digital era. 🚀 Join a company defining a new category — capacity acceleration for AI. 💰 Receive competitive compensation, equity, and benefits in a fast-growth, mission-driven environment. Learn more about GridCARE: TechCrunch: GridCARE thinks more than 100 GW of data-center capacity is hiding in the grid Utility Dive: Portland General Electric invests in AI-powered flexibility to speed data-center connection Data Center Dynamics: From Years to Months — Creating an AI Fast Lane for Data Centers Job Description GridCARE is looking for a Strategic Partnership Manager to own and grow a select group of our most important strategic relationships. This role sits at the intersection of AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, and energy — working with hyperscalers, AI/compute companies, and data center ecosystem partners to accelerate “speed-to-power” outcomes and expand GridCARE’s commercial footprint. You’ll be the day-to-day driver of each partner motion: aligning executive stakeholders, shaping joint value propositions, translating partner priorities into actionable workstreams, and ensuring we execute cleanly across GridCARE teams (sales, product, engineering, and leadership). This role is ideal for someone who can operate comfortably across both business and product contexts. The ideal candidate brings strong partnership, business development, and product fundamentals, fluency in cloud/AI and data center market dynamics, and enough energy domain knowledge to confidently navigate grid constraints, interconnection, and the realities of power availability . Responsibilities Develop and own 3–5 strategic partner relationships end-to-end (e.g., AI infrastructure / cloud / consulting partners), structuring deals and closing partners, acting as the primary quarterback and point of accountability. Develop partner strategies and joint plans : define goals, success metrics, stakeholder map, workstreams, and quarterly execution cadence for each partnership — including clear definitions of partner value tied to deployment timelines, power readiness, and infrastructure feasibility. Drive executive alignment and governance : prepare exec touchpoints, manage steering meetings, and keep both sides aligned on priorities, decisions, and timelines. Identify and execute high-leverage partner plays , including: Joint GTM motions and partner channel programs Product integrations and reference design collaboration across the AI infrastructure stack (compute, power, cooling, and site development) Customer and site qualification workflows (e.g., load size, timeline, region, utility constraints) Customer introductions, co-selling pathways, pilots, events, and thought leadership Financing and delivery models that support accelerated deployments Translate partner needs into internal action : coordinate across Product/Engineering/Sales/Marketing/Strategy/Operations to scope requests, set expectations, and deliver outcomes without thrash — including requests that involve technical inputs such as power requirements, commissioning constraints, load flexibility, and phased deployment plans. Create and maintain partnership “operating system” : partner briefings, QBR decks, trackers, action logs, decision records, and lightweight documentation so execution is repeatable and scalable. Support commercialization : help originate pipeline through partner channels, support deal strategy where partners are involved, and unblock customer-facing engagements tied to strategic accounts. Represent GridCARE externally : build credibility with senior stakeholders across AI infrastructure, cloud, and data centers; communicate GridCARE’s story and differentiators clearly and consistently. Qualifications Required 5-7 years of experience developing and owning strategic partnerships and business development, or management consulting/adjacent strategy/ops roles with external-facing ownership. Experience partnering with or selling through major platform partners (e.g., hyperscalers, large data center ecosystem players). Demonstrated track record securing, closing, and owning complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships and delivering measurable outcomes (pipeline, revenue influence, scaled programs, or strategic product motions). Experience in partner-influenced enterprise selling, co-sell motions, and/or strategic financing deals. Strong familiarity with cloud/AI infrastructure and data center ecosystems, including: Hyperscalers, GPU/compute platforms, colocation providers, developers, OEMs Networking, storage, and systems integrators Data center build and delivery stakeholders (EPCs, equipment providers, operators) (e.g., hyperscalers, GPU/compute platforms, colocation, developers, OEMs, networking, storage, etc.). Ability to engage credibly in technical conversations and translate them into business outcomes — e.g., aligning on requirements like MW capacity needs, deployment schedules, redundancy expectations, and infrastructure readiness. Excellent written and verbal communication; can synthesize ambiguity into crisp plans, narratives, and exec-ready materials. High ownership, strong project management, and comfort operating in an early-stage environment. Location Requirement : This is a Bay Area–based hybrid role. Candidates must currently reside in the San Francisco Bay Area or be planning to relocate. Regular in-person meetings and local client site visits are required. Remote candidates will not be considered at this time. Preferred Familiarity with the practical drivers of “speed-to-power” for large loads, and energy market and concepts relevant to data center growth, such as: Power availability constraints and grid congestion Interconnection processes and timelines Load flexibility and phased energization Tariffs / rate structures at a high level. What We Offer Competitive salary, performance bonus, and equity. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage. Lunch provided three days a week in office. Hybrid schedule: 3 days in office for collaboration, 2 days remote for focused work. Access to leading academic, industry, and government partners in the AI-energy ecosystem. A mission-driven team focused on shaping the future of the energy transition. Salary Range $160,000-$230,000 OTE annually Join us in tackling one of the most important infrastructure challenges of our time — enabling the energy foundation for the age of AI.