Partnerships Manager

About the role

ABOUT CUSPAI CuspAI is the frontier AI company on a mission to solve the breakthrough materials needed to power human progress. While nature took billions of years to perfect molecules, we are harnessing AI to unlock trillion-dollar materials breakthroughs in months, not millennia. Our founding team is the most cited in the world, comprised of world-class researchers in AI, chemistry and engineering. We are working on some of the hardest and most important challenges including energy, clean water, the future of compute, and carbon capture, and this is just the start of what our 'search engine' for next-generation materials will unlock. We invite you to be part of a diverse, innovative team at the intersection of AI and materials science, working to create impactful partnerships that drive innovation, scalability, and industry collaboration. This work matters. Your work matters. We’re on the cusp of the on-demand materials era. Join us. THE OPPORTUNITY: The United States is home to many of the world's largest materials, chemicals, semiconductor and energy R&D organizations. As a Partnerships Manager, you'll be one of the first people to bring CuspAI to these teams. - Early stage, big market. Materials are a trillion-dollar problem, and most R&D organizations are only starting to use AI. - You shape it from day one. You'll help decide who we work with, how we go to market and which partnerships make it grow. WHAT YOU WILL DO Build the pipeline - Identify and reach R&D, materials and chemicals teams at US industrial companies that can benefit from direct access to our AI and data. - Own your pipeline end to end, from the first conversation to a signed agreement. - Use your network and market knowledge to open doors in key innovation hubs such as the Bay Area, Boston, Texas and the Research Triangle. Close and grow partnerships - Understand each team's materials challenges and turn them into clear, compelling proposals together with our scientists and Technical Program Managers. - Negotiate commercial terms and bring agreements to signature. - Turn first engagements into lasting relationships, and spot where a partner can do more with us. Shape how we go to market - Help decide which customer types and sectors to focus on first, based on what converts fastest. - Bring what you hear in the market back to our product, research and leadership teams. - Help build the processes, materials and playbook that the wider team will use as we grow. - Represent CuspAI at industry events and conferences. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR Someone who has sold to or partnered with R&D, chemicals or materials organizations, and who enjoys building something new more than running a process that already works. - 8+ years in partnerships, business development or sales roles selling to industrial R&D, materials, chemicals or semiconductor organizations. - Experience bringing digital R&D tools to scientific teams, for example materials informatics, lab data platforms (ELN, LIMS) or simulation software. - A track record of sourcing and closing B2B deals with multiple stakeholders and long sales cycles. - A network among R&D and business leaders at US industrial companies. - The ability to explain AI and computational concepts clearly to scientists and business leaders alike. - Comfort with ambiguity, and the drive to build structure from scratch in a fast-growing startup. - Willingness to travel regularly within the US and to Europe. BONUS POINTS (BUT NOT CRITICAL) - An advanced degree in chemistry, materials science, physics, chemical engineering or a related field. - Experience at a company working in materials informatics, scientific software or AI for R&D. - Experience building a market or commercial function from the ground up. LOCATION This role is based in the United States, ideally near a major materials, chemicals or semiconductor hub. Expect regular travel to customer sites and probably to our offices in the UK and Europe. WHAT WE OFFER - A competitive salary: We value and reward impact and growth - Equity in CuspAI: You have a stake in the success of the company - Time off to stay fresh: 28 days holiday (DE, NL, UK) or 21 days holiday (JP, SG, US), in addition to local public holidays - ‘Gold Standard’ parental leave: 26 weeks (primary caregiver) and 12 weeks (secondary caregiver) at full pay - we look after you and your family while we work on the most important materials discovery problems together - Professional development budget: We invest in your career development so you can stay up to date with the latest industry knowledge or add to your skills to increase impact and growth - Solve meaningful problems: See how your work has a direct impact on advancing materials science and solving sustainability and climate-related problems through the creation and application of bleeding-edge SOTA technology and revolutionary techniques - True interdisciplinary teamwork: Be part of a deeply collaborative environment bridging AI research, computational chemistry, and experimental science - work with world-class researchers and engineers who enjoy sharing knowledge and supporting each other Join us in shaping the future of materials with AI. Together, we can create groundbreaking solutions for a more sustainable world. CuspAI is an equal opportunities employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and value the unique perspectives and contributions that diversity brings to our team. Please let us know if you require any specific adjustments during or after the interview process. We will do everything we can within reason to accommodate.