Accelerator & Sales Director

Talentfoot Executive Search; West Windsor (NJ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Talentfoot Executive Search in Princeton, NJ seeks a Director of Corporate Partnerships to own the local AI startup ecosystem strategy, deepen existing relationships, and drive growth with enterprise partners and multi-million-dollar venture fund involvement. The role requires leadership, strategic account management, and a track record of closing significant partnerships.

The position offers ownership over a rapidly growing market, engagement with senior executives, and autonomy to shape the

Qualifications

• Proven track record of exceeding revenue or partnership targets in a complex, consultative B2B sales environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a $1.5 million portfolio of corporate partnerships, primary local contact for engagement and renewal.
• Identify, cultivate, and close new corporate partnerships with state-wide organizations in the AI startup ecosystem.
• Build relationships with CIOs, CTOs, and Chief AI Officers to position the organization as an innovation partner.
• Represent the organization publicly at industry events, pitch days, and innovation forums to generate opportunities.
• Collaborate with the program and analyst team to ensure smooth accelerator programming and milestones.
• Contribute to due diligence and capital deployment discussions for the local venture fund.

Skills

Revenue targets

B2B sales

C-suite engagement

Strategic partnerships

Job description

Director of Corporate Partnerships

Princeton, New Jersey (On Site 4 days/wk)

Our client is a global innovation platform that connects corporations, startups, and investors across more than 20 countries, running upward of 100 accelerator programs and completing hundreds of new investments each year. With a growing footprint in New Jersey, the organization recently launched a new initiative focused on artificial intelligence, built through a partnership spanning academic, public sector, and enterprise stakeholders. The team prides itself on a collaborative, low bureaucracy culture where local leaders are given real ownership over their market rather than being managed from a distance. As this AI focused market continues to build momentum, the organization is looking for a Director of Corporate Partnerships to lead local strategy, deepen existing relationships, and drive new growth.

Position Overview

This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of a fast growing regional market at the intersection of enterprise innovation, artificial intelligence, and venture capital. First, this role comes with an established $1.5 million portfolio of corporate partnerships to manage and grow, paired with a clear mandate to bring on new enterprise partners in a market that remains largely greenfield. Second, the Director will have direct involvement in guiding the deployment of a multi million dollar venture fund earmarked for this specific market, a level of exposure to capital deployment rarely available in a business development seat. Third, this is a highly visible, autonomous role. The Director will be the local face of the program, building relationships with senior executives and academic and government stakeholders, with the opportunity to grow a team underneath them as the market matures.

Position Responsibilities

• Manage and grow an existing $1.5 million portfolio of corporate partnerships, serving as the primary local point of contact to ensure strong engagement and renewal.
• Identify, cultivate, and close new corporate partnerships with organizations across the state interested in engaging with the local AI startup ecosystem, with typical contract values ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 annually.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior technology stakeholders, including CIOs, CTOs, and Chief AI Officers, positioning the organization as a trusted advisor on innovation strategy.
• Represent the organization publicly at industry events, pitch days, and innovation forums to build market visibility and generate new business opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with the local program and analyst team to ensure smooth execution of accelerator programming and cohort milestones.
• Contribute insight to the technical and business diligence process supporting the local venture fund's investment activity, helping guide capital deployment decisions.
• Track and report on partnership health, pipeline development, and program performance to inform strategy and resourcing decisions.
• Serve as a key relationship manager and spokesperson with academic, government, and community stakeholders connected to the program.

Position Qualifications

• A proven track record of exceeding revenue or partnership targets in a complex, consultative B2B sales environment.
• 4 to 8 years of progressive experience in business development, account management, or a related go to market role, or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
• Demonstrated experience selling to and building relationships with C-suite executives, such as CIOs, CTOs, or similar technology leaders, within enterprise or corporate settings.
• Experience successfully balancing account management responsibilities with net new business development within a single role.

Preferred

• Prior exposure to innovation programs, venture capital, or the startup ecosystem.
• Experience navigating long, multi-stakeholder sales cycles of six months or longer.
• A self-starter mindset with comfort operating in an ambiguous, less structured environment.

Compensation

This role offers a competitive total compensation package in the range of $150,000 to $180,000, including base salary and performance-based incentives tied to new business development and portfolio growth.