Director of Business Development

VentureOne; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology commercialization firm in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Director of Business Development to lead initiatives in advanced materials and sustainability. The role requires extensive experience in business development and deal-closing in technology-driven markets. The ideal candidate will have a strong network in the UAE's industrial ecosystem and the ability to translate complex technologies into market-driven solutions.

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years of experience in business development in industrial or sustainability sectors.
• Proven experience in developing go-to-market strategies.
• Strong network in the UAE/GCC industrial and energy ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Develop go-to-market strategies for advanced materials and sustainable energy innovations.
• Create and manage business plans, market assessments, and pricing strategies.
• Cultivate partnerships across various industries.
• Negotiate and close deals with stakeholders.

Skills

Business development

Commercialization

Negotiation

Communication

Partnership development

Education

MBA or equivalent

Degree in related engineering

Job description

About the job

VentureOne is the dynamic commercialization arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council. We are dedicated to turning applied research from the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) into game-changing commercial products and solutions that address industry challenges worldwide.

We launch ventures that bring deep tech solutions to market, partnering with trusted industry and government entities to ensure our solutions address real-world needs. We also help strengthen the Middle East’s tech ecosystem by providing collaboration opportunities and access to key services including state-of-the-art lab testing and a library of patented tech products.

About the role

Are you ready to lead the commercialization of breakthrough technologies in advanced materials and sustainability? We are seeking a Director of Business Development - Materials Innovation & Sustainability to spearhead growth initiatives across materials innovation, clean energy, and sustainable technologies, including next-generation composites, energy storage, renewable systems, and water solutions such as desalination. Based in Abu Dhabi, you will shape global partnerships, drive commercialization strategies, and position pioneering research for impact at scale.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in structuring and closing complex deals in technology-driven industrial and sustainability markets. Your skill-set will combine commercial excellence with sufficient technical grounding to engage credibly with R&D teams, industry partners, and government stakeholders.

Research Center Context

AMRC (Advanced Materials Research Center)

• Specializes in applied research on metals and composites; nano, smart, self-healing, energy absorbing, additive manufacturing, metamaterials, high temperature thermoplastics, energy storage, and simulation.
• Features the region’s first “Impact Lab” for testing materials under real-world conditions—ballistic, crash, energy absorption, etc.

RSERC (Renewable and Sustainable Energy Research Center)

• Focuses on energy storage, renewable technologies, and sustainable systems designed to transform the energy landscape.

What You’ll Do

• Develop go-to-market strategies for advanced materials and sustainable energy innovations.
• Create and manage business plans, market assessments, pricing strategies, and licensing frameworks.
• Identify and cultivate partnerships across industries: aerospace, automotive, energy, industrial equipment, and more.
• Lead negotiation and deal closure with commercial, government, and international stakeholders.
• Collaborate with AMRC and RSERC research teams—ensure alignment between technology capabilities and customer needs.
• Represent VentureOne at international industry forums, investor events, and exhibitions.

What We're Looking For:

• Proven track record (10–15+ years) in business development, commercialization, or partnerships within industrial, advanced materials, chemicals, energy, or sustainability sectors.
• Strong experience developing and executing go-to-market strategies, building ecosystems, and closing multi-million-dollar contracts.
• Ability to understand and position technologies in advanced materials, renewable energy, energy storage, and water solutions (e.g., desalination).
• Commercially astute with demonstrated success in pricing, licensing models, and deal negotiations.
• Educational background in Mechanical, Materials, Chemical, Energy Systems, or related engineering; MBA or equivalent strongly preferred.
• Outstanding communication skills, able to translate complex technical concepts into clear business value propositions.
• Well-developed network in the UAE/GCC industrial and energy ecosystem, with the ability to scale partnerships globally.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable in ambiguity, with the drive to move technologies from lab to market.

Please note that we will only consider candidates who have the mandatory experience required for this position.