Strategic Partnerships Associate
Strategic Partnerships Associate

Strategic Partnerships Associate

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Light Trace Photonics

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive commercial engagement and build partnerships in cutting-edge photonics technology.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team at Light Trace, leading innovation in integrated photonics.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, 25 days leave, and access to share options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping market strategy and collaborating with industry leaders.
  • Qualifications: Strong business acumen and excellent communication skills required.
  • Other info: Fast-paced environment with great opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ 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.

To apply to this role or to find out more information please send your CV and a cover letter to careers@ltphotonics.co.uk.

Strategic Partnerships Associate employer: Light Trace Photonics

At Light Trace, we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer that fosters a collaborative and dynamic work environment. As a Strategic Partnerships Associate, you'll have the unique opportunity to work closely with the C-suite and engage with cutting-edge industries like AI and photonics, all while enjoying benefits such as flexible working hours, generous annual leave, and access to our share options scheme. Our commitment to employee growth and strategic thinking ensures that your contributions will directly impact our business trajectory, making this a truly rewarding place to advance your career.
Light Trace Photonics

Contact Detail:

Light Trace Photonics Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Strategic Partnerships Associate

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the AI, quantum, and photonics industries. Attend conferences and industry events to meet potential partners and customers face-to-face. Remember, it’s all about building relationships!

✨Show Off Your Skills

When you get the chance to chat with stakeholders, don’t hold back! Share your insights on commercial strategies and partnership opportunities. This is your moment to shine and demonstrate your strategic thinking.

✨Follow Up Like a Boss

After meeting someone, make sure to follow up promptly. Send a quick email to thank them for their time and reiterate any key points discussed. This shows you’re serious about building that partnership and keeps you top of mind.

✨Apply Through Our Website

If you’re keen on joining us at Light Trace, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Partnerships Associate

Commercial Development Acumen
Partnership Strategy
Interpersonal Skills
Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills
Experience with JDAs and MoUs
Strategic Thinking
Attention to Detail
Relationship Building
Ability to Work Independently
Collaboration Across Functions
Experience in Photonics Hardware or Semiconductor Industries

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Strategic Partnerships Associate role. Highlight relevant experience in commercial development and partnerships, and don’t forget to showcase your interpersonal skills!

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. Keep it engaging and concise.

Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In both your CV and cover letter, demonstrate your strategic thinking abilities. Share examples of how you've contributed to partnership strategies or driven commercial engagement in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!

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 the technology will not only impress your interviewers but also help you engage in meaningful discussions about potential partnerships.

✨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 commercial context.

✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios

Brush up on your negotiation skills, particularly around joint development agreements (JDAs) and memoranda of understanding (MoUs). Think of scenarios where you had to negotiate terms and be ready to discuss your approach and outcomes.

✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

Be ready to discuss how you would contribute to the commercial and partnership strategy at Light Trace. Think about market trends in photonics and how they could influence business decisions, and be prepared to share your insights during the interview.

Strategic Partnerships Associate
Light Trace Photonics

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