Business Development Manager (Asia)

Position Overview:

Solid Power is seeking a Business Development Manager to join our team in a high-visibility role that will have responsibility for the execution of key strategic initiatives related to business development efforts targeting strategic industry partners in Asia with focus on customers in Korea. This individual will join a talented team working to revolutionize the battery industry through the development of next-generation, all solid-state rechargeable batteries.  Solid Power is a dynamic, fast-paced, collaborative and innovative team environment.

Job Duties:

• Identify, pitch and secure collaborative Joint Development Agreement contracts with potential partners
• Assess the competitive landscape and identify opportunities with strong value propositions for all-solid-state battery applications in transportation, electronics, and other industries
• Lead Solid Power’s external sampling activities with new interested partners and ensure success via thorough confirmation of a mutually beneficial technical and commercial fit
• Interact with the R&D and Operations teams as a gateway to new customers, effectively communicating market needs and customer feedback to drive continuous improvement
• Quickly author compelling, polished proposals with clear value propositions to drive new customer adoption
• Develop strategic initiatives and partnership opportunities towards product commercialization
• Geographic focus will be Korea, Japan and other Asian countries
• Up to 25% domestic and international travel

Qualifications/ Requirements:

• BS in Science, Engineering, or related discipline
• MBA or advanced technical science degree from a top tier program (a plus)
• 5+ years’ business development, partnership experience selling and/or buying technology or products, preferably battery related
• 3+ years’ experience in the battery cell and/or materials industry with an ability to understand and communicate technical concepts related to lithium-ion batteries, solid state electrolytes, or cell architecture
• A proven track record of closing complex IP licensing and/or material supply contracts
• Experience in developing and managing strategic key accounts
• Proven history of navigating corporations; ability to lead strategic discussions with high level customer executives
• Strong experience in value selling technical products or services; the ability to understand and simply articulate a complex value proposition
• Strong English and Korean verbal and written communication skills; superb analytical and presentation skills
• Experience in tracking and reporting key business development performance metrics
• Thriving in a fast-paced/dynamic environment
• Smart, hardworking, lots of common sense, sensitive to customer politics
• Persistence and thick skin, and the ability to keep after, or come back to, challenging customers
• Understand and adapt to different cultures – US, Japan, Korea and other Asia countries