Commercial Development Associate
Commercial Development Associate

Commercial Development Associate

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Light Trace Photonics

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive commercial engagement and shape market strategy for innovative photonic products.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team at Light Trace, leading in integrated photonics.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, 25 days leave, and share options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while collaborating with industry leaders and innovators.
  • Qualifications: Strong business development skills and excellent communication abilities.
  • Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and learning.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Join Light Trace as a Commercial Development Associate and be part of a small, high-impact team driving commercial traction for a disruptive integrated photonic product.

About the Role

You’ll engage with stakeholders across the AI, quantum, and photonics hardware industries, helping to shape market strategy and build partnerships to scale our technology. In this role, you’ll see the direct impact of your work on business growth while collaborating closely with the C-suite, in an environment where innovation, strategic thinking, and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do.

What You’ll Do:

  • Drive early-stage commercial engagement with potential partners, customers, and hardware suppliers;
  • Work closely with the CEO to prepare and negotiate agreements such as joint development agreements (JDAs) and memoranda of understanding (MoUs);
  • Liaise effectively with technical teams, investors, and senior stakeholders to advance collaborations;
  • Contribute to commercial and partnership strategy, providing insight to guide decisions;
  • Represent Light Trace at conferences, exhibitions, and industry events to build relationships, identify opportunities, and promote collaborations;
  • Track commitments and next steps to ensure partnerships progress smoothly.

Core Responsibilities:

  • Help prepare, negotiate, and execute commercial agreements, including JDAs and MoUs;
  • Serve as a key liaison between technical teams, investors, and senior stakeholders to progress collaborations;
  • Support the wider team in the development and execution of commercial and partnership strategy;
  • Support the CEO to manage early-stage commercial relationships with potential partners, customers, and suppliers.

Core Skills & Abilities:

  • Strong commercial and/or business development acumen, with the ability to identify and advance partnership opportunities;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to engage confidently with technical teams, investors, and senior stakeholders;
  • Experience preparing/reviewing JDAs, MoUs, or similar collaborative agreements;
  • Demonstrate a degree of strategic thinking, with the ability to provide input on commercial and partnership strategy;
  • Strong attention to detail and follow-through on commitments;
  • Comfortable representing the company externally at conferences, exhibitions, and industry events;
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, small-team environment while collaborating effectively across functions.

Nice to Haves:

  • Experience working in photonics hardware and/or semiconductor-related industries.

Compensation & Benefits:

  • Access to the company share options scheme;
  • Employer pension contributions;
  • 25 days annual leave + bank holidays;
  • Flexitime with core hours from 10 am - 3 pm;
  • In-person working with flexible working options available upon request and where possible.

Commercial Development Associate employer: Light Trace Photonics

At Light Trace, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters innovation and collaboration within a dynamic team environment. As a Commercial Development Associate, you will have the unique opportunity to work closely with the C-suite, driving impactful commercial strategies in the cutting-edge fields of AI and photonics. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our flexible working options, generous leave policy, and access to share options, ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to our mission of transforming technology.
Light Trace Photonics

Contact Detail:

Light Trace Photonics Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Development Associate

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Attend industry events, conferences, and exhibitions where you can meet potential partners and stakeholders. Don’t be shy; introduce yourself and chat about your passion for commercial development in photonics.

✨Tip Number 2

Be proactive in reaching out to companies that excite you. Send them a message on LinkedIn or drop an email expressing your interest in their work. Show them you’re keen to contribute to their growth and innovation!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and partnerships. Bring insights to the table that demonstrate your understanding of their market strategy and how you can help drive their commercial success.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Light Trace.

We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Development Associate

Commercial Development Acumen
Business Development Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills
Strategic Thinking
Attention to Detail
Relationship Building
Collaboration Skills
Experience with Joint Development Agreements (JDAs)
Experience with Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
Ability to Work Independently
Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments
Experience in Photonics Hardware or Semiconductor Industries

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Development Associate role. Highlight relevant experience in commercial engagement and partnership development, as well as any specific skills that match the job description.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our mission at Light Trace. Don’t forget to mention any experience with JDAs or MoUs!

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, make sure to demonstrate your excellent interpersonal and communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!

How to prepare for a job interview at Light Trace Photonics

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Light Trace's products and their impact on the AI, quantum, and photonics industries. Understanding their technology will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their commercial strategy.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated complex ideas in the past, especially in a collaborative environment.

✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios

Brush up on your negotiation skills, particularly around joint development agreements (JDAs) and memoranda of understanding (MoUs). Think of potential scenarios you might face and how you would approach them, demonstrating your strategic thinking and attention to detail.

✨Be Ready to Represent

As you'll be representing Light Trace at industry events, think about how you would promote their technology and build relationships. Prepare a brief pitch about the company and its offerings, so you're ready to engage with potential partners and customers confidently.

Commercial Development Associate
Light Trace Photonics

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>