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Connecticut Innovations · 1 day ago

Senior Director Corporate Development

New Haven, CT

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$170K/yr - $200K/yr

10+ years exp

QuantumCT is a public-private partnership focused on advancing quantum technologies in Connecticut. The Senior Director of Corporate Development/Engagement will lead the organization's industry-facing activities and build corporate alliances to enhance participation in the emerging quantum ecosystem.

BiotechnologyEnergyInformation TechnologyMedia and Entertainment

Hiring Manager

Bo Bradstreet

Responsibilities

Build long-term partnerships with industry leaders across Connecticut’s anchor sectors—defense, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and biotech, financial services and insurance—as well as with companies nationally and internationally that are exploring quantum and quantum-adjacent technologies

Cultivate and manage high-trust relationships with senior executives—Chief Technology Officers, Chief Innovation Officers, research directors, digital transformation leaders, corporate venture teams, and other decision-makers

Work with external corporate partners to understand their strategic priorities and identify areas of alignment within the Connecticut innovation ecosystem and the broader regional ecosystem, and guide companies toward clear and productive engagement pathways (i.e., collaboration convenings, shaping challenge problems for use-inspired research, co-developing pilot projects with faculty, exploring translation opportunities through the Engine’s incubator and venture studio partners, or engaging with QuantumCT’s workforce programs to build talent pipelines)

Work closely with QuantumCT’s events and marketing staff to deliver convenings that are polished, compelling, and highly valuable to participants, and collaborate with the Senior Director of Technology Deployment to ensure that sessions involving technical pathways are accurate and well-scoped

Represent QuantumCT in a wide range of settings, from corporate leadership briefings and industry conferences to national innovation events and federal stakeholder meetings

Qualification

Corporate partnershipsBusiness developmentInnovation strategyQuantum technology knowledgeSTEM degreeGovernment procurement knowledgeCommunication skillsStrategic thinkingInterpersonal skillsProblem-solvingTeam-oriented approach

Required

Polished executive presence, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to speak on behalf of a high-profile, publicly funded initiative

Able to explain the promise of quantum and quantum-adjacent technologies in accessible terms and articulate the unique advantages of Connecticut's ecosystem, including its dense concentration of early adopters, world-class research institutions, testbed investments, strong state support, and expanding startup infrastructure

Ability to understand corporate innovation cycles, risk, ROI, and pilot development—even without deep technical expertise

Ability to lead collaboration convenings, workshops, challenge problems, and cross-sector discussions

Knowledge of and experience with the State/Federal government procurement process, including how contracts are awarded and what types of procurement methods are used

Ability to operate in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment

Proactive, creative problem-solver who can balance big-picture strategy with hands-on execution and who sees the value of connecting corporate innovation agendas with academic research excellence, startup dynamism, and regional workforce development

Strategic thinking, assessment, and analytical skills: ability to link industry capabilities with market needs and trends to identify opportunities for innovations and collaborations

Keen ability to build cross functional and interdisciplinary partnerships and connections with a diverse group of stakeholders

Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to express and convey complex ideas

Ability to proactively identify potential challenges and make recommendations to solve them

Keen ability to influence outside authority

Collaborative, team-oriented approach

High degree of self-motivation, energy, persistence, and follow-through

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, presentation, and communication skills

A positive attitude with high standard of personal integrity and professionalism

Bachelor's degree in STEM discipline, graduate degree in STEM discipline preferred

Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in corporate partnerships, business development, innovation strategy, or a related field, ideally in sectors with emerging technology adoption

Five (5) years of experience partnering with higher education on innovation and tech transfer opportunities

Track record of building meaningful, high-value relationships with senior corporate executives and will be comfortable with the ambiguity and fast pace inherent in a new organization that is building national-scale capacity