Founding Business Development & Partnerships Lead – AI & Software

Compensation: $30k – $110k • No equity

### About AB Digital AB Digital is an AI-native software, growth and digital transformation company. We combine AI, custom software, automation, ecommerce and growth strategy to help companies build better products, acquire customers and operate more efficiently. We've historically grown through referrals and founder relationships. We're now building a more deliberate growth engine and looking for someone who wants to play a foundational role in that next stage. ### The opportunity We're hiring a Founding Business Development & Partnerships Lead to work directly with the founder. This is not a traditional SDR role and it's not a position where you'll inherit a queue of inbound demos. We want someone who enjoys creating opportunities: identifying attractive markets, opening relationships, developing strategic partnerships, running thoughtful outbound, qualifying prospects, helping lead discovery and ultimately closing meaningful engagements. Our work is increasingly centered on: * AI implementation and business transformation * Custom software and digital products * Automation and internal business systems * Ecommerce and growth technology * Select high-value digital transformation projects We are increasingly targeting $25K–$100K+ engagements and longer-term managed relationships. ### What you'll do * Build and manage a qualified new-business pipeline * Identify promising industries, accounts and decision-makers * Develop referral and strategic partnership channels * Create conversations with founders and senior business leaders * Conduct thoughtful outreach rather than mass spam * Help lead discovery and translate business problems into opportunities * Maintain strong CRM and follow-up discipline * Partner with the founder initially on proposals and closing * Gradually take greater ownership of the full sales process * Help us learn which markets, offers and messages should become repeatable ### Who we're looking for We're especially interested in people who have personally generated and closed meaningful B2B business. Experience selling professional services, software development, AI/automation, technology consulting, ecommerce, digital transformation or agency services is particularly relevant. You should be comfortable operating without a mature sales organization already built around you. You do not need to be an AI engineer. You do need enough curiosity and business judgment to understand a company, uncover valuable problems and communicate sophisticated solutions credibly. Experience personally sourcing and selling $25K+ engagements is a major plus. ### Structure & growth opportunity This begins as a 90-day paid fractional engagement, initially around 8–12 hours per week. Expected guaranteed compensation is approximately $2,000–$3,000/month, depending on experience and structure, plus meaningful performance-based compensation tied to business originated and/or closed. For the right person, we want this to become much bigger. As AB Digital grows, this role can develop into leadership of new business and growth, with a potential path toward Head of Growth, VP Growth/CRO and broader company leadership based on demonstrated results. We're looking for someone who is excited by the opportunity to help build the revenue engine—not just work inside one.