About the role
Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 and has become a leader in autonomous ground transportation committed to a safer and more efficient future for all. The company has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology stack purpose-built for commercial trucking and the public sector. The company delivers freight daily for its customers across the southern United States using its autonomous technology. In 2024, Kodiak became the first known company to publicly announce delivering a driverless semi-truck to a customer. Kodiak is also leveraging its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense. As Kodiak scales its commercial operations and deepens its footprint in the autonomous trucking ecosystem, we are seeking a Head of Partnerships to build and manage the strategic relationships that power our growth. This is a high-impact role responsible for defining how Kodiak approaches partnerships — setting the overall strategy, building the frameworks and playbooks that govern how we engage, and owning the full lifecycle from identifying and qualifying the right partners to negotiating agreements, onboarding them successfully, and driving ongoing relationship value and impact. The Head of Partnerships will work closely internally and externally with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, technology vendors, and key ecosystem players, serving as the primary commercial owner of these relationships. In this role, you will: Own Kodiak's overall partnership strategy and the frameworks that govern how we identify, prioritize, and engage partners across Truck OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, component vendors, and ecosystem players. Build and maintain a pipeline of partnership opportunities; qualify partners based on strategic fit, commercial viability, and alignment with Kodiak's deployment goals. Lead end-to-end deal structuring and negotiation — from defining commercial terms and governance structures to closing agreements in close collaboration with legal and finance. Own the commercial onboarding process for new partners, establishing clear milestones and success metrics from day one. Serve as the primary commercial point of contact for key partners; maintain executive-level relationships, identify expansion opportunities, and drive resolution when issues arise. Work closely with Kodiak's internal teams — including engineering, operations, and product — to ensure the company delivers on commitments made to partners, and partner closely with the leadership team to align partnership priorities with Kodiak's broader strategic direction. Define and track KPIs for partnership performance, and synthesize market intelligence from partner relationships to inform Kodiak's broader strategic priorities. Build, manage, and mentor a growing partnerships team, fostering a culture of accountability, commercial rigor, and continuous improvement. What you'll bring: 15+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, or strategic alliances, ideally within the automotive, trucking, mobility, or deep technology sectors. Proven track record managing complex, multi-stakeholder commercial relationships with OEMs, Tier 1s, or industrial suppliers from qualification through ongoing management. Strong dealmaker with direct experience structuring and negotiating B2B agreements with significant commercial value. Commercially sharp with the ability to identify value drivers, design win-win commercial structures, and hold firm on terms that matter. Exceptional relationship builder — comfortable operating at the executive level with large industry players and equally effective working through the details with mid-level commercial teams. Highly organized with the ability to manage a large, complex portfolio of partnerships across different stages simultaneously. Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment, partnering with technical, legal, finance, and operations teams without needing to own or direct their work. Entrepreneurial mindset — comfortable with ambiguity, able to build structure from scratch, and motivated by the opportunity to shape a new industry. Willingness to travel regularly to engage with partners, attend industry events, etc. - up to 40% of the time. What we offer: Competitive