Strategic Partnership Manager — AI Ecosystem

GridCARE • Redwood City, CA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

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). The ideal candidate brings strong partnership 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.

Requirements

• 5-7+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, management consulting, or adjacent strategy/ops roles with external-facing ownership.
• Demonstrated track record owning complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships and delivering measurable outcomes (pipeline, revenue influence, scaled programs, or strategic product motions).
• Strong familiarity with cloud/AI infrastructure and data center ecosystems (e.g., hyperscalers, GPU/compute platforms, colocation, developers, OEMs, networking, storage, etc.).
• Working knowledge of energy concepts relevant to data center growth (e.g., power availability constraints, interconnection timelines, load flexibility, tariffs/rate structures at a high level).
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience partnering with or selling through major platform partners (e.g., NVIDIA, hyperscalers, large data center ecosystem players).
• Familiarity with energy markets, grid planning constraints, and the practical drivers of “speed-to-power” for large loads.
• Experience in partner-influenced enterprise selling, co-sell motions, and/or strategic financing deals.

Responsibilities

• Own 3–5 strategic partner relationships end-to-end (e.g., NVIDIA plus additional AI infrastructure / cloud / data center ecosystem 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.
• 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 : joint GTM motions, product and reference design integrations, customer introductions, co-selling pathways, financing opportunities, pilots, events, and thought leadership—based on what will materially move strategic and financial goals.
• Translate partner needs into internal action : coordinate across Product/Engineering/Sales/Marketing/Strategy/Operations to scope requests, set expectations, and deliver outcomes without thrash.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees