Deal Lead, Corporate Development (AI)

Location: San Francisco, CA; hybrid policy requiring staff to work from one of the offices at least 25% of the time

Annual salary: $325,000–$425,000 USD

Company

Anthropic is a public benefit corporation developing reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems designed to be safe and beneficial for users and society.

What you will do

• Help build the corporate development function and establish transaction best practices, from acquihires to transformational acquisitions.
• Source and evaluate acquisitions and strategic partnerships with product, engineering, and research teams.
• Lead end-to-end transactions covering due diligence, negotiation, structuring, and integration.
• Build relationships with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, cloud providers, enterprise customers, and other AI ecosystem partners.
• Analyze AI markets, emerging trends, competitive dynamics, and growth opportunities.
• Develop financial models and valuation analyses, and present strategic recommendations to executive leadership and board members.

Requirements

• 12+ years of corporate development experience, including building or significantly scaling corporate development functions at high-growth technology companies.
• Direct experience with AI/ML companies or deep learning research environments.
• Experience leading complex M&A transactions, strategic partnerships, post-merger integrations, international expansion, or cross-border transactions.
• Established network within the AI startup ecosystem and venture capital community.
• MBA or advanced technical degree; minimum education is a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Ability to work from the United States office location under the hybrid attendance policy.

Nice to have

• Technical understanding gained through software engineering, product management, investment experience, or a computer science background.
• Deep interest in AI safety and alignment with Anthropic's mission.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative environment focused on a small number of high-impact AI research efforts.
• Flexible working hours and an office environment for collaboration.
• Competitive compensation, equity donation matching, generous vacation, and parental leave.
• Visa sponsorship may be available, with immigration lawyer support, depending on the role and candidate.
• Strong emphasis on communication, research discussions, and diverse perspectives.