Business Development Director, Venture Capital & StartUps

We are looking for you!

We are looking for you – a business developer passionate about start-ups. As our director for business development start-ups, you’ll be central to our commercial growth within the ecosystem of “unicorn”  venture-funded companies. We’d love to hear from you if the following describes you:

• An up-to-date technology trends wizard;
• A master of the competitive technological landscape;
• Familiar with Agile product development and scaling challenges faced by start-ups;
• An entrepreneurial leader ready to take ownership and execute on a large  market opportunity;
• Passionate about working with clients, internal stakeholders and innovation ecosystem players (e.g., VCs, incubators, accelerators, entrepreneurs, and product developers);
• Able to shape deals that meet client needs and leverage our unique value proposition;
• Have experience with the entrepreneurial journey (e.g., building and scaling start-ups, raising funding, etc.)

You’ll report to Star’s Chief Commercial Officer and be an integral part of the commercial team. You’ll also be in close contact with key executive leaders and industry experts.

Outside of developing your clients in Silicon Valley, you will also have a chance to establish Star’s general value proposition toward startups and support global deals with your startup experience.

Skills and experience you can bring to this role!

Qualifications and experience:

• 10+ years of sales/business development experience selling product strategy, design, engineering or consulting services to startups;
• Deep knowledge of and relationships within the venture capital industry;
• Thought leadership and specific knowledge of key topics, including emerging technology and market trends;
• Sales hunter experience with an existing network in the startup ecosystem and a strong ability to identify and open new accounts;
• Experience using consultative approaches to acquire new clients through a charming attitude and an empathetic and strategic mindset;
• Proven ability to consistently meet and over-achieve commercial targets;
• Demonstrated capability to manage all phases of the sales process - from marketing and lead generation to closing deals and developing client relationships;
• Fluent in both spoken and written English.

Added advantage:

• Experience in a hyper-growth startup;
• A fast-paced, highly collaborative and team-oriented mindset;
• Acquainted with a network of prominent VCs, startup CEOs, entrepreneurs and founders;
• Background in the automotive & mobility, HealthTech, FinTech, or AdTech/media industries;
• Familiarity with the “design thinking” discipline and approach to product innovation;
• “Executive in Residence” status at a top-tier venture capital firm.

What impact you’ll make

• Create and execute a new customer targeting strategy to close and expand new business;
• Spend a significant portion of time in the field, developing and leveraging relationships through personal meetings, presentations and networking opportunities;
• Assess risks and qualify new business opportunities;
• Work with customers and the Star team to determine opportunity scope, requirements and specifications;
• Build a unique customer value proposition for each client in collaboration with product designers, solutions architects and industry leaders, while shaping and closing new projects with customers;
• Manage existing customer relationships with project managers to ensure top-notch service delivery by maintaining project profitability and customer success targets;
• Own the commercial funnel, ensuring there are high-potential clients in each stage of the funnel with a continuous and growing flow of new relationships, new deals and repeat customers; and
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the startup ecosystem and technological landscape.

What you’ll get

Regardless of your position or role, we have in place a wide array of benefits including flexible working (hybrid/remote models) and generous time off policies to make it easier for all people to thrive and succeed at Star. On top of that, we offer an extensive rewarding and compensation package, intellectually and creatively stimulating space and some more.

Your holistic wellbeing is central at Star. You'll join a warm and vibrant multinational environment filled with impactful projects, career development opportunities, mentorship and training programs, fun sports activities, workshops, networking and outdoor meet-ups.