Autonomous Vehicle Business Development Manager

At Lyft, our purpose is to serve and connect. We aim to achieve this by cultivating a work environment where all team members belong and have the opportunity to thrive.

The autonomous transition is a transformational opportunity for Lyft. Our strategy focuses on becoming the preferred marketplace, fleet, and operational partner for the world's best Autonomous Vehicle (AV) providers. Lyft will leverage our platform advantages and scale to enable the success of AV partners across the value chain, from AV technology providers to OEMs to fleet providers. This role will help shape the future of AV partnerships at Lyft by supporting the origination of new partner relationships and keeping a rapidly expanding pipeline of opportunities moving forward. You will work in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment.

As a qualified candidate, you have a track record of managing multiple complex workstreams simultaneously and delivering high-quality outputs in a commercial or deal-making environment. You are a strong communicator who can prepare crisp, well-structured materials for senior audiences and represent Lyft professionally in partner-facing settings. You are able to coordinate across internal teams — strategy, finance, legal, and corporate development — to move deals forward efficiently. You uphold a high quality bar and have a strong appreciation for the details that matter in a commercial process. Above all, you are intellectually curious, energised by a full pipeline, and eager to develop deep expertise in the AV industry.

Responsibilities

Keep the pipeline moving by coordinating active AV partner conversations — scheduling meetings, setting agendas, tracking follow-ups, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks

Make every partner interaction count by preparing crisp, well-structured materials for partner meetings, internal deal reviews, and leadership pipeline updates

Accelerate deal momentum by drafting initial LOIs, MOUs, and term sheet inputs under the direction of the senior origination lead, turning alignment into written commitments

Drive investment decision-making by working in close collaboration with the Corporate Development team — helping to evaluate partner opportunities, synthesise commercial context, and inform equity investment recommendations

Give the team a clear view of the pipeline by maintaining accurate and up-to-date status, next steps, and open items across all active conversations

Build the expertise to own deals independently over time by developing deep knowledge of different sectors — OEM, SDS, Fleet — and earning increasing responsibility for partner conversations

Help senior leadership stay focused on the highest-value opportunities by supporting the origination lead in representing the pipeline clearly and confidently to senior stakeholders

Stay ahead of the market by monitoring the AV ecosystem — tracking new entrants, funding rounds, partnerships, and competitive moves to inform pipeline prioritization and surface emerging opportunities

Experience

3–5 years of experience in business development, strategy, or a similar commercial role

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple active workstreams simultaneously with strong attention to detail

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to prepare high-quality materials for senior internal and external audiences

Strong cross-functional collaboration skills; comfortable working across strategy, finance, legal, and operations teams

Genuine intellectual curiosity about the AV industry and appetite to develop expertise in a fast-moving space

Familiarity with commercial document drafting — LOIs, MOUs, or term sheets — is a plus

Prior experience in BD or a deal-making environment is a plus, as is prior exposure to equity investment processes, including experience at a corporate VC or in a corporate development function

Knowledge of the AV, automotive, or mobility ecosystem is a plus

Benefits

Great medical, dental, and vision insurance options with additional programs available when enrolled

Mental health benefits

Family building benefits

Child care and pet benefits

401(k) plan with company match to help save for your future

In addition to 12 observed holidays, salaried team members have discretionary paid time off, hourly team members have 15 days paid time off

18 weeks of paid parental leave. Biological, adoptive, and foster parents are all eligible

Subsidized commuter benefits

Monthly Lyft credits and complimentary Lyft Pink membership

Lyft is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace that fosters belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.

Lyft highly values having employees working in-office to foster a collaborative work environment and company culture. This role will be in-office on a hybrid schedule — Team Members will be expected to work in the office 3 days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Lyft considers working in the office at least 3 days per week to be an essential function of this hybrid role. Your recruiter can share more information about the various in-office perks Lyft offers. Additionally, hybrid roles have the flexibility to work from anywhere for up to 4 weeks per year. #Hybrid

The expected base pay range for this position in the San Francisco area is $118,000 - $147,000 not inclusive of potential equity offering, bonus or benefits. Salary ranges are dependent on a variety of factors, including qualifications, experience and geographic location. Your recruiter can share more information about the salary range specific to your working location and other factors during the hiring process.