Director - Business Development (EMEA/AMER)

black.ai; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Competitive salaries

Waterfront offices

Global travel opportunities

Job summary

Vessev is seeking an in-region Director - Business Development to drive revenue and lead commercial growth in AMER/EMEA. This hands-on role requires closing deals, building partnerships, and expanding into new markets with a global impact.

You’ll source opportunities, structure contracts, and manage end-to-end deal cycles while collaborating with marketing, product, engineering, and operations to hit key milestones. Travel included.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in business development, sales, or partnerships.
• Proven track record of sourcing and closing strategic deals.
• Experience negotiating contracts and structures.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Source and secure opportunities across government, ferry, tourism, hospitality, real estate, superyacht, and leisure sectors.
• Own end-to-end deal process from leads to closing.
• Develop and lead strategic partnerships for vessel deployments.
• Structure and negotiate contracts with legal and executive leadership.
• Drive market expansion to new regions and sectors.
• Build a pipeline across leasing, direct sales, and distribution in APAC; support global growth.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, product, engineering, and operations.
• Track and report commercial performance for executive decisions.
• Represent Vessev with partners, governments, operators, and at industry events.
• Act as trusted commercial advisor to leadership.
• Take on wide-ranging responsibilities as needed.
• Travel domestically and internationally, including NZ trips to HQ.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Commercial strategy

Partnerships

Negotiation

Job description

At Vessev, we’re defining a new category of marine transport: hydrofoiling electric vessels that are genuinely better for people and the planet. In 2024, we launched our first vessel, the VS–9, and made headlines in Forbes, Electrek, New Atlas, and more. Since then we’ve received orders from every major region of the world and have an order book that extends well over the horizon.

With strong momentum, global demand, and major scaling ahead, we’re hiring an in-region Director - Business Development to drive revenue and lead Vessev’s commercial growth in these rapidly expanding markets. This is a high-trust role for a proven closer, someone who can convert opportunities into deals, expand into new markets, and build a high-value pipeline. While the focus will be on AMER or EMEA, we’re a collaborative team, and the role will have a global impact.

This is a rare opportunity to join a high-growth startup operating in a rapidly expanding space. There is so much scope to make this role your own, and we want you to create something you’re insanely proud of.

The role

This is a hands‑on role where you’ll lead market growth and commercial strategy from the front. You’ll shape how Vessev grows, sector by sector, region by region, and partner by partner. You will play a foundational role in propelling a more liveable world with us.

You’ll find opportunities directly, structure deals, close partnerships, and represent Vessev at the highest levels. No two days will look the same. One day you’ll be meeting with a government board, the next negotiating a multi‑vessel hospitality deal, or building relationships with new partners.

Your focus is to grow Vessev’s commercial footprint, turn opportunities into outcomes, and help us scale with purpose and momentum.

What you’ll be doing

• Source and secure new commercial opportunities across government, ferry, tourism, hospitality, real estate development, superyacht, and leisure markets.
• Own the end‑to‑end deal process from identifying leads to negotiating and closing commercial agreements.
• Develop and lead strategic partnerships that enable vessel deployments and long‑term value creation.
• Structure and negotiate contracts, working closely with legal and executive leadership.
• Drive market expansion strategies, identifying new regions and sectors for Vessev’s growth.
• Build a solid pipeline of opportunities across leasing, direct sales, and distribution within APAC while also supporting global development.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with marketing, product, engineering, and operations to deliver on key commercial milestones.
• Track and report commercial performance, providing insight to guide executive decisions.
• Represent Vessev externally with partners, governments, operators, and at industry events.
• Act as a trusted commercial advisor to the leadership team.
• No job’s too small or too large, you’ll roll up your sleeves and take care of everything from the finest details to the biggest opportunities.
• Travel domestically and internationally for industry events and meetings with partners and clients, including regular trips to New Zealand to spend time at company HQ during critical periods.

About you

You're commercially sharp, entrepreneurial, and energised by building something from nothing. You know how to open doors and close deals, and you bring real execution to everything that you do. Relationships are your foundation, and you build them to last.

You'll thrive here if you're comfortable in fluid environments, work well with autonomy, and love the challenge of scaling something from the ground up.

We’re looking for someone with

• 5+ years in business development, sales, commercial strategy, or partnerships.
• A proven track record of sourcing and closing strategic deals.
• Confidence in navigating commercial negotiations and contract structures.
• A strong strategic mindset and bias for action.
• Excellent relationship‑building and communication skills.
• Experience working closely with C‑level teams or as a founder/operator.
• A collaborative, can‑do approach and hunger to learn.
• A deep belief in the mission, and excitement about what Vessev can become.
• Experience and understanding of boating is important to success in this role.
• Understanding of electric vehicles is desirable but not required.

About us

We’re here to set a better world in motion – cleaner air, better commutes, and deeper connections with nature and each other. Our hydrofoiling electric vessels use up to 90% less energy than traditional boats, unlocking entirely new opportunities.

We’re backed by top‑tier investors including Blackbird Ventures, and our team includes talent from the America’s Cup, Rocketlab, Halter, Apple, Google and leading climate startups.

Why our people love Vessev

• We’re building something different – from how we move on the water to the kind of team and workplace we’re creating.
• The chance to work on technology that can drive real, lasting impact in the world.
• A team of exceptional and collaborative humans.
• 20 weeks fully paid parental leave for primary caregivers, and 4 weeks for secondary (conditions apply).
• Competitive salaries that reflect the value of the work.
• Being on the water is part of our job – from trips on our vessels to our offices that border the Tamaki River.
• And if the water’s where you want to be, you’ll be in good company. You’ll find no shortage of boaters, beach goers, sailors, foilers, surfers, and kiteboarders here.