Director of Corporate Partnerships
Princeton, New Jersey (On Site 4 days/wk)
Company Overview
Our client is a global innovation platform that connects corporations, startups, and investors across more than 20 countries, running upward of 100 accelerator programs and completing hundreds of new investments each year. With a growing footprint in New Jersey, the organization recently launched a new initiative focused on artificial intelligence, built through a partnership spanning academic, public sector, and enterprise stakeholders. The team prides itself on a collaborative, low bureaucracy culture where local leaders are given real ownership over their market rather than being managed from a distance. As this AI focused market continues to build momentum, the organization is looking for a Director of Corporate Partnerships to lead local strategy, deepen existing relationships, and drive new growth.
Position Overview
This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of a fast growing regional market at the intersection of enterprise innovation, artificial intelligence, and venture capital. First, this role comes with an established $1.5 million portfolio of corporate partnerships to manage and grow, paired with a clear mandate to bring on new enterprise partners in a market that remains largely greenfield. Second, the Director will have direct involvement in guiding the deployment of a multi million dollar venture fund earmarked for this specific market, a level of exposure to capital deployment rarely available in a business development seat. Third, this is a highly visible, autonomous role. The Director will be the local face of the program, building relationships with senior executives and academic and government stakeholders, with the opportunity to grow a team underneath them as the market matures.
Position Responsibilities
• Manage and grow an existing $1.5 million portfolio of corporate partnerships, serving as the primary local point of contact to ensure strong engagement and renewal.
• Identify, cultivate, and close new corporate partnerships with organizations across the state interested in engaging with the local AI startup ecosystem, with typical contract values ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 annually.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior technology stakeholders, including CIOs, CTOs, and Chief AI Officers, positioning the organization as a trusted advisor on innovation strategy.
• Represent the organization publicly at industry events, pitch days, and innovation forums to build market visibility and generate new business opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with the local program and analyst team to ensure smooth execution of accelerator programming and cohort milestones.
• Contribute insight to the technical and business diligence process supporting the local venture fund’s investment activity, helping guide capital deployment decisions.
• Track and report on partnership health, pipeline development, and program performance to inform strategy and resourcing decisions.
• Serve as a key relationship manager and spokesperson with academic, government, and community stakeholders connected to the program.
Position Qualifications
Required:
• A proven track record of exceeding revenue or partnership targets in a complex, consultative B2B sales environment.
• 4 to 8 years of progressive experience in business development, account management, or a related go to market role, or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
• Demonstrated experience selling to and building relationships with C-suite executives, such as CIOs, CTOs, or similar technology leaders, within enterprise or corporate settings.
• Experience successfully balancing account management responsibilities with net new business development within a single role.
Preferred:
• Prior exposure to innovation programs, venture capital, or the startup ecosystem.
• Experience navigating long, multi-stakeholder sales cycles of six months or longer.
• A self-starter mindset with comfort operating in an ambiguous, less structured environment.
Compensation
This role offers a competitive total compensation package in the range of $150,000 to $180,000, including base salary and performance-based incentives tied to new business development and portfolio growth.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you’re ready to build and lead a growing market at the intersection of enterprise innovation and venture capital, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and a member of Talentfoot’s recruitment team will be in touch should your track record of success, experience, skills and qualifications match our client’s requirements.
Talentfoot Executive Search
Talentfoot Executive Search specializes in future proofing organizations by securing forward-thinking leaders across sales, marketing, eCommerce, product, data, operations, finance, and technology with a track record of accelerating growth, innovation, and profitability. Since 2010, we’ve partnered with more than 2,500 companies and lead the industry with a 98% client success rate. Learn more at Talentfoot.com