Business Development Sr. Manager - AI Partnerships

Lenovo•Chicago, IL

1d•$160,600 - $246,215•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking a strategic, execution-driven Sr Business Development Manager – AI Partnerships to accelerate our AI platform growth through high-impact partnerships. In this role, you will be responsible for setting partnership objectives, aligning cross-functional priorities, driving key initiatives to execution, and managing dependencies across Platform/OS partners and Content Suppliers. This role demands a unique combination of strategic thinking, program management, and stakeholder engagement to build a thriving ecosystem around our AI initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; MBA or technical background preferred.
10+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, program management, or related fields.
Strong experience working with OS/Platform partners, technology companies, or content ecosystems.

Nice To Haves

Experience in building or scaling partner ecosystems.
Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Ability to drive cross-functional alignment and influence without direct authority.
Ability to travel 2-3 times per quarter
Strategic thinker with an execution-first mindset.
Outstanding communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Familiarity with AI technologies and AI ecosystems preferred.
Understanding of AI market trends, developer ecosystems, and content integration.
Strong analytical and operational rigor to track KPIs and partnership health.
Agile, proactive, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Drive execution of partnership frameworks that define goals, success metrics, operating models, and joint initiatives.
Operationalize business models around product integration and mutual technology sharing to deliver commercial outcomes.
Ensure partnership frameworks are embedded into day-to-day collaboration with internal teams and partners.
Lead planning sessions to ensure alignment on quarterly partnership priorities and objectives.
Own quarterly strategy reviews, performance reporting, and updates to leadership.
Track industry and partner developments to adjust plans and maintain competitive advantage.
Drive critical partnership initiatives from planning to completion, ensuring accountability across teams.
Manage interdependencies and handoffs between business, product, and technical stakeholders.
Track progress against milestones, ensuring timely delivery and partner satisfaction.
Monitor execution and proactively identify risks, misalignments, or delivery challenges.
Escalate issues to leadership and coordinate resolutions to maintain momentum.
Act as the primary driver of partner relationships, ensuring alignment with shared goals.
Build trust and credibility with Platform/OS partners, Content Suppliers, and Silicon Partners.
Facilitate joint reviews, executive engagement, and day-to-day coordination to ensure long-term success.