At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth through strategic partnerships, fundraising, and market execution.
- Company: Pioneering start-up in Cambridge focused on advanced optical technologies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £100,000, share options, and performance incentives.
- Other info: Fast-paced, collaborative environment with opportunities for strategic leadership.
- Why this job: Shape the future of optical technology and lead innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development, fundraising, and technical product alignment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Director of Business Development to join the leadership team of a pioneering start-up company in Cambridge. This is a strategic role focused on driving growth through commercial partnerships, fundraising, and go-to-market execution.
This position combines commercial leadership with strategic influence, helping shape the company's business roadmap and market positioning. You will lead sales, marketing, and fundraising activities to support the commercialisation of advanced optical technologies designed for next-generation extended reality devices. The company can offer a competitive salary up to £100,000 plus share options.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and execute a comprehensive sales, marketing, and fundraising strategy.
- Build and manage a qualified pipeline of enterprise customers, strategic partners, and investors.
- Identify and secure key partnerships and customer opportunities.
- Provide input on product‐market fit, positioning, and commercial strategy.
- Collaborate across engineering, R&D, and leadership teams to align product and market goals.
- Represent the company at industry events, investor meetings, and trade shows.
- Deliver engaging presentations and product demonstrations to both technical and non‐technical audiences.
- Lead all aspects of fundraising including narrative development, investor outreach, and due diligence.
- Build and manage investor relationships, CRM, and reporting.
- Support financial modelling, KPI tracking, and investor communications.
- Identify and pursue non‐dilutive funding opportunities such as grants and strategic programmes.
- Knowledge of Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Proven success in business development or commercial leadership within a high‐tech product or optics‐based environment.
- Track record in fundraising (pre‐seed, seed, or Series A) or securing non‐dilutive funding.
- Experience aligning sales and marketing plans with technical product roadmaps.
- Strong ability to translate technical innovation into commercial value.
- 5–10+ years of relevant experience (10+ years for Director‐level applicants).
- MBA or equivalent business training is advantageous.
- Strategic leadership role in an emerging optical technology business.
- Competitive Salary up to £100,000.
- Competitive compensation with performance‐based incentives.
- Equity/share options.
- Opportunity to shape both commercial strategy and long‐term growth.
- Fast‐paced, collaborative, and innovation‐driven working environment.
Sounds good, how do I apply?
Option 1: Click the apply button, don't worry if you don't have an up‐to‐date CV, we can discuss whatever you have to hand.
Option 2: Find Mel Glover on LinkedIn and drop me a message or connection request.
Director of Business Development employer: Nicholas Associates
Join a pioneering start-up in Cambridge as the Director of Business Development, where you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of advanced optical technologies. The company offers a competitive salary up to £100,000, equity options, and a fast-paced, collaborative work environment that fosters innovation and personal growth. With opportunities to lead strategic initiatives and engage with industry leaders, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in a cutting-edge field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Business Development
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, trade shows, and meet-ups where you can chat with potential partners and investors. Remember, it’s all about building relationships that can lead to opportunities.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to present or demo, make it count! Tailor your presentations to highlight how your skills align with the company’s goals. This is your moment to shine and show them why you’re the perfect fit for the Director of Business Development role.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn! Use it to connect with industry leaders and share insights related to optical technologies. Engaging with content can help you get noticed and might just land you that dream job.
✨Apply Through Our Website
If you see a role that excites you, apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates who are ready to drive growth in innovative ways.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Business Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your achievements in business development, especially in high-tech or optics-based environments, to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Director of Business Development role. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth and secured partnerships in the past.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Discuss how you've developed and executed sales and marketing strategies that align with product roadmaps, as this is key for us at StudySmarter.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nicholas Associates
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in optical technologies and business development. Understand the company's products and how they fit into the market. This will help you speak confidently about how you can drive growth and secure partnerships.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your success in business development and fundraising. Be ready to discuss how you've built pipelines, secured partnerships, and aligned sales with technical roadmaps. This will demonstrate your capability for the strategic role.
✨Engage with the Team
During the interview, show your collaborative spirit. Discuss how you would work with engineering, R&D, and leadership teams to achieve common goals. This is crucial for a role that requires cross-functional collaboration, so make it clear that you're a team player.
✨Practice Your Pitch
Since you'll be delivering presentations and product demos, practice articulating complex ideas in a simple way. Tailor your pitch to both technical and non-technical audiences, showcasing your ability to translate innovation into commercial value. This will set you apart as a strong candidate.
