Director of Corporate Development and Strategic Partner Management

About SandboxAQ SandboxAQ is a high-growth company delivering AI solutions that address some of the world's greatest challenges. The company’s Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) power advances in life sciences, financial services, navigation, cybersecurity, and other sectors. We are a global team that is tech-focused and includes experts in AI, chemistry, cybersecurity, physics, mathematics, medicine, engineering, and other specialties. The company emerged from Alphabet Inc. as an independent, growth capital-backed company in 2022, funded by leading investors and supported by a braintrust of industry leaders. At SandboxAQ, we’ve cultivated an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and impact. By investing deeply in our people, we’re building a thriving, global workforce poised to tackle the world's epic challenges. Join us to advance your career in pursuit of an inspiring mission, in a community of like-minded people who value entrepreneurialism, ownership, and transformative impact. The Opportunity We are seeking a Director of Corporate Development and Strategic Partner Management to help shape SandboxAQ’s next phase of growth. This role sits at the intersection of corporate development, strategic partnerships, market analysis, and cross-functional business leadership. The ideal candidate will lead evaluation and execution of mergers and acquisitions, investment and corporate development opportunities, and key commercial partnerships, while helping the company translate emerging product and market opportunities into scalable business plans and durable strategic relationships. This person will work closely with executive leadership, product, research and development, engineering, legal, finance, and business teams to drive high-quality decisions and help operationalize strategic growth priorities. Key Responsibilities Develop and help execute SandboxAQ’s corporate development strategy, including identifying, prioritizing, and evaluating acquisition, investment, and strategic partnership opportunities aligned to company goals. Lead end-to-end transaction and partnership processes, from opportunity sourcing and market mapping through diligence, business case development, negotiation, internal alignment, and execution. Build the strategic and financial narratives that support executive decision-making, including market analysis, competitive intelligence, business model evaluation, partnership theses, and financial modeling. Partner with the COO and senior leadership to assess where SandboxAQ should buy, build, partner, or invest in order to accelerate growth and sharpen market position. Own and manage relationships with selected strategic partners, including major technology, ecosystem, channel, and commercial partners, and help structure partnerships that create measurable business impact. Work cross-functionally with product, research and development, engineering, and business teams to translate technical capabilities into compelling external partnership and growth opportunities. Establish clear decision frameworks, documentation practices, and operating rhythms so major strategic decisions are data-informed, explicit, and traceable over time. Support post-deal and post-partnership follow-through, including integration planning, governance, and success measurement where appropriate. Essential Skills & Experience Significant experience in corporate development, investment banking, strategic finance, strategy consulting, business development, partnerships, or a related field, with a strong track record in complex strategic transactions or partnerships. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and structure high-value, complex deals involving multiple internal and external stakeholders. Strong commercial judgment and analytical rigor, including experience with market analysis, competitive analysis, business case development, and financial modeling. Exceptional cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to drive alignment across executive, technical, product, legal, finance, and commercial teams. Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical or scientific topics into clear business implications and executive-level recommendations. Comfort operating in a fast-moving, ambiguous, high-growth environment, with a proactive, ownership-oriented mindset. Curiosity about frontier technologies and the ability to quickly develop conviction in new markets, customers, partners, and business models. Highly Desired Skills & Experience Experience in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, scientific software, deep technology, or other technically sophisticated enterprise businesses. Experience working with cloud platforms, global systems integrators, or other large strategic ecosystem partners. Experience supporting merger and acquisition diligence, integration, or strategic investment processes in a high-growth company. Why Join Us? We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and life outside of work. Compensation: Competitive base salary, performance-based incentives or bonuses (where applicable), and equity participation. Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents with generous employer premium contributions, retirement savings with company matching, paid parental leave, and inclusive family-building benefits. Work-Life Balance: Flexible paid time off, company-wide seasonal breaks, and support for flexible work arrangements that enable sustainable performance. Career Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and growth through on-the-job development, cross-functional collaboration, and access to internal learning and development programs. SandboxAQ Welcomes All We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and respect, where diverse perspectives are actively sought and valued. Our multidisciplinary environment provides ample opportunity for continuous growth - working alongside humble, empowered, and ambitious colleagues ready to tackle epic challenges. Equal Employment Opportunity : All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. Accommodations : We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in job application procedures for open roles. If you need such an accommodation, please let a member of our Recruiting team know. Read: Guidance for candidates on using AI Tools in interviews