Position Overview

As the Global Strategic Partnerships & Alliances Manager at the AI Robotics Association (AIRoA), you will lead AIRoA’s collaboration strategy with robotics and AI ecosystems around the world. Your primary responsibilities will include forging agreements with global industry associations, incubators, university labs, and startups; planning and structuring joint research and PoC initiatives; and negotiating AIRoA’s participation in international consortia. In close collaboration with legal, technical, and business members—as well as with public-sector projects and member companies—you will own the full partnership lifecycle from target selection and deal structuring to contract negotiation and ongoing relationship management.

【What Makes the “Global Strategic Partnerships & Alliances Manager” Role at AIRoA Unique】

This position enables you to support a “social infrastructure–level” challenge—building and disseminating foundation models and data ecosystems for AI and robotics—from the governance and partnership side. Working with global enterprises, research institutions, and startups, you will co-design “what we do, with whom, and under what conditions.” You will be at the forefront of alliances that grow into international joint projects, whose outcomes are then shared back with the world in an open and scalable way—offering a rare chance to experience this level of global impact firsthand.

【The Appeal of Taking On This Challenge at AIRoA, Just as We Are Getting Started】

AIRoA is a general incorporated association established in December 2024 and launched full-scale operations in FY2025, with a mission to build a robot data ecosystem in the AI × robotics domain. Because we are still in the launch phase, you will have the opportunity to design the alliance strategy itself—deciding which markets to prioritize, which organizations and companies to partner with, and at what level of collaboration. As an independent association, AIRoA is in a unique position to convene global players across industry, academia, and government, allowing you to help shape frameworks that can drive the development of the entire sector.

【Other】
While remote work is possible, this role is primarily expected to be office-based.
Most of our engineers and researchers also work on-site, conducting research and development directly in front of the robots.

【About AIRoA】
AIRoA was established in December 2024 with two core objectives: “to revolutionize the technology of robot development through the fusion of robots and AI” and “to promote the use of robots in society.” While AI is rapidly advancing worldwide, the shortage of data in robot development has become a critical issue.

To address this challenge, we are running a national flagship project funded by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization), with an investment of over JPY 20 billion.

●Recruitment Background

To globally distribute AIRoA’s robot data and models, building strong partnerships with leading research institutions around the world is essential. Strategic and ongoing alliance development requires a dedicated leader, and AIRoA is now seeking a Global Strategic Partnerships Manager to co-create and drive its international collaboration strategy.

●Future Mission

In this role, you will lead the development of a “global partnership strategy roadmap” that identifies priority countries, regions, and organizations, and drive the conclusion of MoUs and the launch of joint projects with key players. Over the medium to long term, your mission will be to position AIRoA as the global reference point for AI robotics by planning and leading international consortia initiated by AIRoA, participating in international standard-setting discussions on data and models, and representing AIRoA at overseas events and conferences.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Experience driving alliance-building, joint research, and business co-creation with global enterprises, research institutions, and robotics communities (including international negotiations, contracts, and MoU development)
• Strong relationship-building skills and project management capabilities with diverse stakeholders such as industry associations, incubators, university labs, and global startups
• Business-level English (Chinese is a plus), excellent communication skills, and the aptitude to handle external communications and speaking engagements
• International business or business development experience in technology domains such as AI, robotics, or SaaS
• Proven experience in a venture / launch-phase environment, where you personally defined strategy and drove execution end to end

Preferred Qualifications:

• Practical experience working in international industry associations, standardization bodies, or consortia
• Partnership or business development experience in deep tech domains such as robotics, AI, or semiconductors
• Experience managing overseas offices or leading global teams
• Experience as a speaker at large international conferences and handling media relations
• Technical understanding of robot data and AI models (sufficient to engage in discussions with engineers and researchers)

Language Skills

• Japanese (native level)
• English (business level or above)

Benefits

●Our Office

We currently operate out of a spacious office and research facility of over 1,000 m² located in the Ryutsu Center area. In this space, our business teams and engineering teams work in close collaboration, advancing both day-to-day operations and R&D with AI robots always close at hand. The facility is frequently visited not only by members of the AI Robot Association, but also by engineers and researchers from partner companies and representatives from member companies. As a result, it serves as a hub where diverse experts at the forefront of AI and robotics gather and interact.

●Your Colleagues

Today, highly skilled engineers and researchers from around the world are part of our organization. Some members have even relocated from overseas to Japan to join our projects on site. We aim to build a globally open R&D organization where diverse talent, regardless of nationality or background, come together, inspire one another, and shape the future.

People & Talent Development Programs

●HR and Talent Development Programs

Training Programs

• On-the-Job Training (OJT)
• Training through participation in external conferences, including overseas events
• Compliance training
• Security training

Internal Programs

• Performance reviews twice a year (every half year)
• In-house study sessions
• In-house library
• Support for external training programs

Benefits

• Support for book purchases
• Subsidies for lunch and light snacks
• Free drinks
• Commuting allowance (up to JPY 50,000 per month)
• Monthly company-wide events (AIRoA Circle, social gatherings)
• Family Day
• AIRoA-branded shirts and other items provided