Business Development Director, AI Partnerships

Location:San Francisco, CA

We’re looking for a Business Development Director, AI Partnerships to help shape Opera’s next chapter as we expand our collaborations with leading AI platforms and technology partners. In this role, you’ll work closely with product, engineering, and executive teams to build and manage strategic partnerships with top organizations in the AI ecosystem, as well as e-commerce and service companies looking to make their offerings accessible through AI chats or AI-powered browsers. You’ll drive partnership strategy end-to-end from identifying opportunities and negotiating agreements to supporting technical integration and co-development initiatives. This is a high-impact role where you’ll influence Opera’s AI roadmap and help bring innovative solutions to our global user base.

Role & Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and manage strategic partnerships with major AI platforms, cloud providers, and key ecosystem partners.

• Work cross-functionally with product and engineering teams to scope technical requirements and support integration of partner technologies.

• Negotiate commercial terms, manage ongoing partner relationships, and monitor performance across joint initiatives.

• Research emerging AI trends and evaluate new opportunities that align with Opera’s product strategy and user needs.

• Represent Opera in partner meetings, industry events, and technical discussions to strengthen our network and visibility in the AI ecosystem.

Job Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or alliances within AI, cloud, or software technology environments.

• Deep understanding of the modern AI ecosystem, spanning LLMs, multimodal models, cloud AI services, integration tools, MCP/A2A and the broader landscape of e-commerce and service solutions seeking to surface their offerings through AI chats and conversational interfaces.

• Proven track record managing relationships or integrations with AI platforms, cloud providers, or large-scale technology partners.

• Strong negotiation, communication, and project management skills with experience working cross-functionally in fast-paced product organizations.

• Experience supporting joint go-to-market initiatives or co-development projects with external partners is a plus.

• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, high-growth environments with evolving priorities.

• Based in or willing to relocate to the San Francisco area; able to work hybrid with local partners and internal teams.

The Ideal Candidate’s Profile

The ideal candidate has strong experience in AI partnerships or business development and a deep understanding of LLMs, multimodal models, cloud AI services, integration frameworks, and MCP/A2A systems. They bring a proven track record in managing strategic technology relationships and supporting joint initiatives, and they are preferably based in or willing to relocate to the San Francisco area.

What’s On Offer:

At Opera, you’ll join a diverse and inclusive team of experienced, supportive professionals who value creativity and collaboration. We work in a flat structure with short decision-making paths, use smart technology, and support your ongoing skill development in a friendly and empowering environment.

Interested?

We’d love to hear from you! Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply soon. Please submit your CV in English. Have questions about our recruitment process, remote work, or benefits? Check out our FAQ page for more details.