Fractional Business Development Lead-San Francisco AI Ecosystem
About The Position
Arkadium is seeking a fractional business development lead based in San Francisco to help build relationships within the AI ecosystem and create new partnership opportunities. This role involves acting as an embedded connector within the San Francisco AI community, attending events, building relationships, and facilitating introductions to relevant researchers, product teams, and decision-makers. This is a part-time, 3-month engagement with the potential for extension based on performance. The ideal candidate is a well-connected business development professional passionate about building strategic partnerships in the AI space.
Requirements
- Deeply embedded in the San Francisco tech and AI scene
- A natural networker who is highly proactive and comfortable with outbound outreach
- Strong at follow-up, relationship management, and moving conversations forward
- Commercially minded and motivated by results
- Able to understand technical concepts well enough to communicate credibly with AI teams
- Likely comes from business development, partnerships, startup sales, or ecosystem roles
- Comfortable operating independently in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment
Nice To Haves
- Existing relationships across the San Francisco AI/startup ecosystem
- Experience in tech sales, partnerships, business development, or founder-facing ecosystem work
- Familiarity with AI labs, model companies, tooling startups, or developer platforms
- Experience working in or around emerging technology markets
- Strong communication skills in both in-person and digital outreach settings
Responsibilities
- Build and manage relationships across the San Francisco AI community
- Attend industry events, meetups, dinners, and conferences regularly
- Identify and engage high-value contacts at AI labs, startups, and adjacent companies
- Create introductions that lead to partnership and business development opportunities
- Help Arkadium navigate complex organizations and find the right internal teams
- Conduct targeted outreach and consistent follow-up with prospects
- Share market feedback and intelligence from conversations in the ecosystem
- Coordinate closely with Arkadium leadership on target accounts, messaging, and priorities
Benefits
- Monthly retainer plus performance-based upside/commission
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
