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Runway is building generative AI tools for video and creative production, with a focus on world models that simulate reality through merging art and science. The company is rapidly expanding its ecosystem of generative models, bringing together models from leading AI labs worldwide alongside its own proprietary technology.
In this role, you will own a broad portfolio of model partners end-to-end across different modalities (video, image, text, etc.). You will be responsible for sourcing new AI labs and models, evaluating them against Runway's strategic needs, and bringing the strongest candidates into the ecosystem. Your core responsibilities include:
- Tracking the generative AI landscape continuously to identify emerging labs and model releases early, assessing which represent strategic opportunities for integration
- Taking new partners from initial conversation through full launch: sourcing opportunities, structuring and negotiating commercial terms (particularly usage-based and API deals), and closing agreements with Legal and Finance
- Serving as the primary point of contact for partners through launch, coordinating closely with the Engineering team to ensure smooth technical integration
- Building and maintaining deep, trusted relationships with founders, business development leads, and research teams at partner organizations, leveraging these relationships to secure early access, favorable terms, and co-launch opportunities
- Managing the partner portfolio with discipline: establishing regular check-in cadences, monitoring relationship health, identifying and escalating risks early
- Analyzing usage, spend, and margin data by partner and model to inform investment decisions, renegotiation strategies, and portfolio adjustments
- Collaborating with Marketing and partners on co-marketing initiatives for model launches
- Creating frameworks, processes, and tools that enable the function to scale as the ecosystem grows
You will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Product, Legal, Finance, and Marketing teams. This is an individual contributor role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, owns outcomes end-to-end, and can operate autonomously while managing multiple complex relationships and priorities simultaneously.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 5+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, go-to-market strategy, consulting, or founding/operating a company, with a demonstrated track record of owning outcomes end-to-end
- Experience negotiating commercial agreements, ideally including usage-based, API, or platform deals
- Genuine expertise and passion for generative AI: deep familiarity with leading AI labs, hands-on experience trying new models upon release, and informed opinions on model quality and capabilities
- Demonstrated range across deal sourcing, technical integration, and product launch
- High technical aptitude for understanding complex technologies, systems, and technical issues
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate usage and spend data into clear, actionable recommendations
- Ability to manage numerous relationships and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment without losing track of commitments
- Clear, concise communication across diverse audiences (startup founders, large lab partnership teams, engineers)
- Strong bias toward action and willingness to tackle tasks of any size
- Resourcefulness and ability to create structure and work independently amid ambiguity
- New York-based location preferred
About Runway
AI / Data / Infrastructure; Media / Creator Economy — generative AI tools for video and creative production.
