AI Strategy Lead

We are seeking a highly experienced and commercially driven AI Strategy Lead to drive the identification, recruitment, and scaling of strategic AI agent partners at Sage. This role sits at the intersection of technology innovation and commercial execution, requiring deep fluency in AI platforms, tooling, and emerging agent-based ecosystems combined with a strong consultative sales and business development background. As an individual contributor with enterprise-level influence, you will drive outbound partner recruitment, co-innovate on AI-driven solutions, and design scalable business models that unlock new revenue streams. You will possess a “builder mindset” with the ability to operate cross-functionally and deliver measurable outcomes in complex, evolving environments.

You will play a critical role in accelerating AI-driven innovation through the partner ecosystem. By identifying and scaling breakthrough solutions, you'll directly shape the company’s AI portfolio, unlock new commercial opportunities, and ensure competitiveness in rapidly evolving AI markets.

Responsibilities

Partner Recruitment & Ecosystem Development

• Identify, prioritize, and recruit high-potential AI agent partners aligned to strategic solution gaps
• Lead outbound partner development efforts, building a pipeline of innovative AI solution providers
• Establish and manage relationships with emerging and established AI ecosystem players
• Lead Sage’s long-term Agentic AI partner strategy

Solution Envisioning & Co-Innovation

• Work directly with partners to co-create AI-driven solutions that address defined market needs
• Translate customer and market requirements into scalable AI solution architectures
• Ensure alignment between partner capabilities and priority business use cases

Business Model Design & Commercialization

• Define and structure commercial models for AI solutions, including pricing, monetization, and go-to-market strategies
• Guide partners from concept through launch, ensuring solutions are market-ready and revenue-generating
• Drive clarity on value propositions, target segments, and route-to-market execution

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Operate as a highly independent leader, influencing across Product, Sales, Marketing, and Partner organizations
• Align internal stakeholders to support partner onboarding, solution launch, and commercialization
• Remove barriers and drive execution in a matrixed organization without direct authority

Success Measures

• Success in this role will be evaluated based on solution gap closure through partner recruitment and commercialization, specifically:
• Recruitment of partners that deliver new AI solutions addressing defined market gaps

Each “recruited” solution is defined as:

o Successfully launched into market

o Achieving at least three closed-won customer deals

• Demonstrated ability to build a repeatable pipeline of high-impact AI solutions
• Contribution to incremental revenue growth through partner-led innovation

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 15+ years of experience in technology, with a strong foundation in Software companies, and/or Technology consulting or advisory firms
• Proven track record in business development, partner strategy, or ecosystem development
• Experience working with or within AI/ML technologies, platforms, and tooling (e.g., AI frameworks, agent architectures, cloud AI services)
• Strong understanding of AI technologies, including modern agent-based systems, LLMs, and platform ecosystems
• Ability to shape opportunities, influence stakeholders, and guide complex solution development
• Deep experience designing business models and driving revenue outcomes
• Experience building and scaling partner networks in emerging technology domains
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive outcomes in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
• Combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution

Perks? We have plenty.

• Competitive salaries that landed us top 5% of similar sized companies (according to Comparably)
• Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement match (100% matching up to 4%)
• 32 days paid time off (21 personal days, 10 national holidays, 1 floating holiday)
• 18 weeks paid parental leave for birth, adoption or surrogacy offered 1 year after start date
• 5 days paid yearly to volunteer (through Sage Foundation)
• $5,250 tuition reimbursement per calendar year starting 6 months after hire date
• Sage Wellness Rewards Program ($600 wellness credit and $360 fitness reimbursement annually)
• Library of on demand career development options and ongoing training offerings

Dig deeper about who we are:

• Who is Sage: https://www.sage.com/en-us/company/about-sage/
• Life at Sage: https://www.sage.com/en-us/company/careers/
• Our Values & Behaviors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=vt5JXf-Gwno&feature=youtu.be
• How we make a difference: https://www.sage.com/en-us/company/sage-foundation/
• Sage Business Cloud - SaaS for Every Business: https://www.sage.com/en-us/products/