Director of Business Development & Partnerships

Aquatic Network; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Employer-paid long-term disability

Voluntary insurance options

FSA / DCA and transit benefits

401(k) with employer match

Flexible in-person schedule

Job summary

SeaAhead, based in Cambridge, MA, seeks a Director of Business Development & Partnerships to own and grow commercial relationships. This senior role reports to the CEO and requires credibility to engage senior executives in blue economy, climate, or corporate innovation spaces.

You will drive sponsorships, public sector and foundation partnerships, and support investment due diligence. The ideal candidate has a proven track record closing partnerships, a strong network, and experience in

Qualifications

• 5+ years in business development, partnerships, or related commercial role with proven closure of partnerships or sponsorships.
• Existing network in blue economy, maritime, climate tech, ocean science, corporate innovation, or sustainability.
• Strong written and verbal communication; credible at executive level.
• Self-directed work style; comfortable in a small team with limited admin support.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end business development for the Pilot program; identify, qualify, and close corporate sponsors.
• Translate sponsor needs into intelligence that informs startup recruitment for each Pilot cycle.
• Manage sponsor relationships from outreach through engagement and renewal.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager to align sponsor expectations for each cycle.
• Identify and pursue broader institutional partnerships with corporations, research institutions, and government entities.
• Represent SeaAhead at conferences and events to maintain visibility in the blue economy.

Skills

Business development

Partnerships

Executive communication

Self-directed work style

Job description

• Director of Business Development & Partnerships

Director of Business Development & Partnerships

SeaAhead is a Cambridge, MA-based firm focused on accelerating and investing in ocean-focused startups with the mission of generating outsized returns and lasting ocean impact. Our work involves two strategies – accelerator programs to help new founders establish product-market fit and launch viable startups, and investments to help promising ventures scale faster.

Our ecosystem includes technologists, scientists, startups, foundations, corporations, governments, investors, and other ocean stakeholders who come together to scale commercially viable technologies for ocean-related industries.

Our focus areas include shipping and ports, aquaculture and fisheries, ocean intelligence, dual-use defense technologies, offshore renewable energy, scalable solutions for ocean pollution, and ocean-centric approaches to climate change including coastal resilience technologies.

About Our Programs

BlueSwell is SeaAhead's accelerator for early-stage bluetech startups at the beginning of their commercialization journey. Now in its sixth cohort, BlueSwell provides intensive support on product-market fit, capital formation, branding, team building, executive leadership, and governance, backed by SeaAhead's broad blue economy network.

Pilot is SeaAhead's program for startups that are ready to pilot with real-world customers. Corporate sponsors engage with the program to access vetted bluetech startups and work with startup teams to develop structured pilots aligned with customers’ strategic priorities. SeaAhead acts as matchmaker and program architect, creating value for sponsors and startups alike.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Director of Business Development & Partnerships to own and grow SeaAhead's commercial and institutional relationships. This is a senior individual contributor role responsible for generating the corporate sponsorships, public sector relationships, and foundation partnerships that underpin SeaAhead's revenue. Knowledge generated will also support our investment due diligence and portfolio value creation.

This person will report directly to the CEO and operate with significant independence. The right candidate brings an existing network in the blue economy, climate, or corporate innovation space, and has the credibility and confidence to represent SeaAhead in senior-level conversations without requiring executive accompaniment.

Core Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end business development for the Pilot program: identify, qualify, and close corporate sponsors whose strategic priorities align with the capabilities of the bluetech startups in SeaAhead's ecosystem
• Develop a deep understanding of sponsor needs, challenges, and innovation priorities — translating these into intelligence that informs how SeaAhead recruits and selects startups for each Pilot cycle
• Manage the full sponsor relationship lifecycle from initial outreach through program engagement and renewal
• Work closely with the Program Manager to ensure sponsor expectations are set and met throughout each program cycle

Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Relationships

• Identify and pursue broader institutional partnerships that can expand SeaAhead's reach, credibility, and program capacity including with corporations, research institutions, government agencies, and other ecosystem players
• Develop market and partner intelligence that helps SeaAhead understand what skills, sectors, and startup profiles are most valuable to recruit into programs
• Own the stewardship of existing corporate, public sector and foundation partners: ensure reporting obligations are met, relationships are maintained, and SeaAhead remains a trusted and visible partner in their portfolios
• Work with the CEO to develop and submit grant applications and funding proposals where institutional relationships are relevant
• Represent SeaAhead at industry conferences, demo days, and sector events to maintain visibility across the blue economy

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or a related commercial role with a demonstrated track record of independently closing partnerships, sponsorships, or B2B sales relationships, not just supporting them
• Existing network in one or more of the following: blue economy, maritime industry, climate tech, ocean science, corporate innovation, or sustainability
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to represent the organization credibly at the executive level
• Self-directed work style; comfortable operating in a small team with limited administrative support

Preferred

• Experience with accelerators, innovation programs, venture studios, or startup ecosystems
• Familiarity with corporate innovation structures and how large organizations evaluate and engage with startups
• Experience selling or developing a B2B program or service rather than a physical product
• Experience managing public sector and/or foundation relationships, including grant stewardship, compliance reporting, and funder communications
• Genuine passion for ocean conservation and the blue economy

Compensation: $100,000 + Significant additional uncapped potential through commission ($100k on-target)

• Health and dental insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield (SeaAhead covers 50% of premium for reference plan)
• Employer-paid long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary insurance options including vision, life, and short-term disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care Account (DCA), and transit/commuter benefits

Retirement:

• 401(k) plan with employer match (eligible after one month of employment)

Additional:

• Flexible work environment with three days in-person at the office per week
• This is an exempt position with no associated overtime pay
• Employment is contingent upon signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement and acknowledging receipt of SeaAhead's Employee Handbook
• Complete benefits details, holiday schedule, and vacation policies are available in the Employee Handbook

SeaAhead is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experience levels.