Data Center Business Development Manager

About the company
Yaskawa America, Inc. - Drives & Motion Division is a U.S.-led and managed corporation, created to provide Automation Solutions and Support to our customers in North America, Central America, and South America. Yaskawa is the world's largest manufacturer of AC Inverter Drives, Servo and Motion Control, and Robotics Automation Systems. Products are marketed through direct sales, partners, representatives, dealers, and distributors. Yaskawa America, Inc. - Drives & Motion Division is a wholly owned corporation of Yaskawa Electric Corporation of Japan. Since 1915, Yaskawa Electric has served the world needs for products to improve global productivity through Automation.    

We are seeking an experienced and driven Manager, Business Development, to lead growth initiatives in the data center sector for our variable frequency drive (VFD) solutions. This role will be responsible for identifying opportunities, developing strategic relationships, and driving sales growth with hyperscale, collocation, and enterprise data center customers, as well as key ecosystem partners (OEMs, consultants, contractors, and integrators).

Key Responsibilities:

• Market Development: Identify and evaluate business opportunities within the data center industry, focusing on VFD applications for cooling, power management, and critical infrastructure.
• Sales Growth: Develop and execute go-to-market strategies to drive revenue growth in the data center market.
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with data center operators, engineering firms, OEMs, and contractors to position our VFD solutions as the preferred choice.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with technology partners and industry associations to enhance brand awareness and credibility within the sector.
• Pipeline Management: Develop, track, and manage a robust opportunity pipeline, providing accurate forecasting and reporting to leadership.
• Customer Engagement: Conduct presentations, technical discussions, and value propositions tailored to the needs of data center stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product management, engineering, marketing, and support teams to align customer needs with product roadmaps and value messaging.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor trends, competitive activity, and regulatory requirements within the data center industry to inform business strategy.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in engineering, business or related field (MBA is a big plus).  Additionally, the successful candidate must possess.

• 3+ years of business development or sales experience in industrial automation, power electronics, HVAC, or related industries.
• Strong understanding of data center operations, cooling systems, and electrical infrastructure.
• Proven track record of building strategic relationships and delivering revenue growth in a technical solutions environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel as required (domestic and international).

Preferred Attributes:

• Experience with variable frequency drives (VFDs), motors, or power distribution equipment.
• Established network within the data center ecosystem (operators, consultants, OEMs, contractors).
• Knowledge of energy efficiency, sustainability, and digitalization trends impacting data centers.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to work independently and collaboratively.

The successful candidate will be a proven Business Development leader with the ability to not only lead but also guide and effectively communicate with all internal and external stakeholders and teams.

Key advantages of working at Yaskawa include career opportunities in diverse areas, a highly competitive benefit package, including a generous 401(K) plan, profit sharing, corporate wide bonus plan and educational assistance program offering up to $10,000 a year for graduate courses as well as a full suite of benefits. Additional information regarding the benefit package can be found at the following link. 

If you are a Business Development Manager with success in the Data Center Sector, looking to shape the future of an organization, we would like to hear from you!!

Yaskawa America, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.