Corporate Development Lead

About Anthropic

Anthropic’s mission is to create reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems. We want AI to be safe and beneficial for our users and for society as a whole. Our team is a quickly growing group of committed researchers, engineers, policy experts, and business leaders working together to build beneficial AI systems.

About the role

Anthropic is seeking an exceptional Corporate Development Lead to drive key strategic initiatives, including sourcing and executing acquisitions and strategic partnerships. In this highly visible role, you will partner directly with key members of Anthropic's leadership team to shape our growth strategy and help build the ecosystem around safe, beneficial AI, grounded in Anthropic’s strategic priorities. As a critical strategic partner, you'll identify opportunities for expansion, lead complex transactions, and ensure successful integration of new capabilities into our organization. This is a foundational role where you'll help build Anthropic's corporate development function from the ground up. You'll establish the frameworks, processes, and playbooks that will guide our M&A strategy for years to come. 

The ideal candidate brings a unique combination of strategic thinking, technical understanding, and execution capability. You're passionate about AI safety and Anthropic's mission to create AI systems that are helpful, harmless, and honest. You thrive in ambiguous environments and can navigate complex negotiations while maintaining strong relationships across multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Build a scalable corporate development function, establishing best practices across the full spectrum of transactions from acquihires to transformational acquisitions
• Partner closely with cross-functional product, engineering, and research teams to understand and assess the technical and strategic value of potential opportunities
• Lead end-to-end transaction processes, from initial sourcing through due diligence, negotiation, and integration
• Create streamlined processes for rapid evaluation and execution of technical talent acquisitions
• Build and maintain relationships with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and strategic partners in the AI ecosystem
• Conduct comprehensive market analysis to identify emerging trends, competitive dynamics, and growth opportunities in AI and related technologies
• Structure and negotiate complex deals, working closely with legal, finance, and other cross-functional teams
• Drive post-transaction integration efforts, ensuring successful realization of strategic objectives
• Develop financial models and valuation analyses to support investment decisions
• Present strategic recommendations to executive leadership and board members
• Support the growth of Anthropic's partnership ecosystem, including relationships with cloud providers and enterprise customers

You may be a good fit if you:

• Have 12+ years of corporate development experience, with demonstrated success building or significantly scaling corp dev functions at high-growth technology companies
• Possess strong technical understanding through either work experience (as a software engineer, product manager, or investor) or educational background (Computer Science degree or equivalent)
• Demonstrate exceptional analytical and financial modeling skills
• Have experience leading complex M&A transactions or strategic partnerships in technology sectors
• Excel at building relationships and can effectively engage with technical and business stakeholders
• Are comfortable operating in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with competing priorities
• Possess outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, with ability to influence at all levels
• Have a deep interest in AI safety and alignment with Anthropic's mission

Strong candidates may also:

• Have direct experience in AI/ML companies or deep learning research environments
• Bring an established network within the AI startup ecosystem and venture capital community
• Have led post-merger integration efforts or built new business units from the ground up
• Possess an MBA or advanced technical degree
• Have experience negotiating complex strategic partnerships with major technology companies
• Demonstrate a track record of identifying and executing transformational opportunities
• Show experience with international expansion or cross-border transactions

Join us in shaping the future of AI while ensuring it remains safe and beneficial for humanity. This role offers the unique opportunity to work at the intersection of cutting-edge AI research and stra