Director of Strategic Partnerships (EV / AV Infrastructure)
Leading alliances between automakers and municipalities to scale electric and autonomous vehicle charging infrastructure.
Overview
This career involves navigating the intersection of public policy, real estate, and cutting-edge automotive technology. Professionals in this role spend their time identifying high-value stakeholders, such as city planners and logistics companies, to build the foundational networks required for next-generation transport. The daily rhythm is characterized by high-stakes negotiations and long-term project management, often requiring the balancing of divergent interests between government regulations and corporate profit motives.
Success in this field requires a deep understanding of energy markets and the technical requirements of fleet electrification. Those who thrive are typically experts at translating complex technical specifications into compelling business cases for diverse audiences. The work is fundamentally collaborative, involving constant communication with engineering teams, legal counsel, and executive leadership to ensure that partnership frameworks are both technically viable and legally sound.
Responsibilities
- Identify and vet potential partners across the automotive and renewable energy sectors to expand charging networks.
- Negotiate multi-year contracts and joint venture agreements with municipal governments and private land owners.
- Collaborate with product and engineering teams to align infrastructure deployment with vehicle technology roadmaps.
- Develop business cases for new market entries based on regional regulatory incentives and demand forecasts.
- Manage high-level relationships with key stakeholders to ensure the long-term health and renewal of strategic alliances.
- Monitor the competitive landscape to identify emerging technologies and potential threats to existing partnership models.
Qualifications
- A minimum of ten years of experience in business development or partnership management within the energy or automotive sectors.
- Extensive knowledge of the regulatory environment surrounding EV infrastructure and federal transportation grants.
- Proven track record of negotiating and closing high-value commercial agreements with public and private entities.
- Strong financial modeling skills used to project the return on investment for large-scale infrastructure projects.
- Exceptional communication skills for presenting complex strategic initiatives to board-level executives.
Nice to have
- An MBA or an advanced degree in public policy or environmental engineering.
- Existing network of contacts within major automotive OEMs or global logistics providers.
- Experience with autonomous vehicle testing protocols and specialized sensor infrastructure requirements.
Work environment
- The role typically involves a mix of office-based strategic planning and on-site visits to infrastructure installations.
- Significant domestic and occasional international travel is required to meet with partners and attend industry conferences.
- Work occurs within a fast-paced environment where project timelines are often influenced by shifting government legislation.
- Teams are usually cross-functional, requiring daily interaction with legal, technical, and financial departments.
Benefits & growth
- Compensation packages often include significant performance-based bonuses tied to network expansion goals.
- Executive-level roles frequently offer equity or stock options in high-growth clean-tech companies.
- Career progression typically leads to Vice President of Business Development or Chief Commercial Officer roles.
- Professional development is supported through access to exclusive industry consortiums and policy advocacy groups.
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