Partnerships Director for AI Ecosystems (Contract, Palo Alto)

We are seeking a Partnerships Director for AI Ecosystems (Contract) who focuses on identifying, orchestrating, and integrating emerging technologies, startups, and external capabilities that can help activate Mitsui-defined opportunity areas. Working alongside designers, researchers, engineers, and business creators, you will identify opportunities, cultivate strategic relationships, evaluate emerging technologies, and help move promising ideas from exploration to proof of concept, pilot, and integration. As a Partnerships Director for the AI Ecosystem, you will operate at the intersection of enterprise challenges and emerging ecosystems. You will build relationships across startups, technology companies, venture investors, research institutions, and corporate partners while helping shape Moon's perspective on emerging opportunities and how they can create value for Mitsui. This is a part-time contract role based in the San Francisco Bay Area with an hourly rate of $100 - $150 and a minimum of 20 hours per week, with the possibility of contract extension based on business needs and performance. What You’ll Do at Moon Ecosystem Development & Partnership Building Build and maintain relationships across startup, venture, research, technology, and corporate ecosystems relevant to Mitsui's strategic priorities Serve as a front-line representative of Moon, cultivating relationships and expanding Moon's network across external ecosystems Identify emerging technologies, startups, and strategic partners that could meaningfully activate Mitsui-defined opportunity areas Identify, evaluate, and develop partnerships with startups, technology providers, research institutions, and strategic collaborators Represent Moon at conferences, ecosystem events, founder meetings, and industry engagements around the world Opportunity Identification & Curation Develop informed perspectives on emerging technologies, market shifts, industry dynamics, and future opportunities, with particular focus on AI Conduct strategic, commercial, and partnership diligence on emerging technologies, startups, and potential collaborators Curate opportunities, technologies, and partnerships aligned with strategic priorities and long-term business value Apply strong judgment and discernment when evaluating opportunities, distinguishing meaningful signals from market noise Develop ecosystem maps, opportunity landscapes, and strategic recommendations Help Moon and Mitsui identify where emerging technologies and external capabilities have the greatest potential to create impact The Must-Haves  A strong existing network of founders, venture capital firms, accelerators, and emerging technology companies across the AI ecosystem. Proven experience in relationship building, partnership development, and ecosystem curation across startups, corporations, and research institutions. Strong familiarity with emerging technologies (particularly AI/ML) and the ability to evaluate technica...