Sr. Director, Commercialization

New Lab; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Newlab in Detroit seeks a Sr. Director, Commercialization to oversee hands-on execution and partner management across mobility, manufacturing, and industrial programs.

You will lead matrixed teams and manage government and industry relationships to create commercialization pathways for global startups. You will drive program delivery, scale partnerships, and ensure revenue growth while maintaining quality and delivering strong P&L stewardship.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience leading complex program delivery and client management in manufacturing, industrials, or deep tech ecosystems.
• Management consulting background preferred; STEM background helpful.
• Proven track record managing multi-stakeholder programs involving government entities, corporate sponsors, and startups.
• Experience leading cross-functional, distributed teams in a matrixed environment.
• Strong financial literacy with direct experience managing project P&Ls, scoping and resourcing.
• Outstanding communication, executive presence, and senior partner management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead mobility, manufacturing and industrial programs; oversee partnerships and delivery.
• Expand mobility and industrial programs with government and corporate partners.
• Drive commercialization outcomes including pilots and regional job growth.
• Drive program revenue growth by expanding scope and deepening partner engagement.
• Maintain quality control and ensure partner satisfaction and deliverable standards.
• Oversee program P&Ls, staffing models, and resource allocation.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement system/workflow improvements.
• Collaborate with Detroit MD, CSO, and Global Head of Business to engage partners.

Skills

Program Delivery

Client Management

Cross-functional Leadership

Innovation Execution

Financial Literacy

Executive Communication

Stakeholder Management

Bonus Eligibility

Education

STEM degree preferred

Job description

The Sr. Director, Commercialization will oversee the hands-on execution and partner management of Newlab’s flagship programs, with a core focus across our mobility, manufacturing, and industrial partnerships.

This role centers on driving direct program delivery, leading matrixed teams, and managing key government and industry relationships to create commercialization pathways for global startups.

Key responsibilities

Commercialization delivery & stakeholder management (primary focus)

• Lead mobility , manufacturing s & industrial programs: Oversee execution of high-stakes partnerships with automotive and mobility OEMs and tier 1 suppliers, industrial leaders, and government entities to accelerate external technology adoption. Manage key relationship dynamics, direct cross-functional teams of contributors, and serve as the bridge between global startups and industrial partners.
• Expand mobility & industrial programs: Scope, launch, and direct programs that help government and corporate partners leverage global technology innovations to solve complex technical challenges, defend market positions, and expand into adjacencies.
• Drive commercialization outcomes: Ensure programs create clear pathways for startups to scale, secure commercial pilot opportunities, and generate regional job growth.
• Drive program revenue growth: Ensure well-executed programs grow revenue over time by identifying expansion opportunities, extending project scopes, and deepening engagement with existing partners.
• Maintain quality control: Act as the primary accountable leader for delivery execution, partner satisfaction, and deliverable standards across assigned programs.
• P&L & resource management: Maintain full oversight of program P&Ls, staffing models, and resource allocation to ensure healthy project economics and team utilization.
• Systems improvement: Identify operational bottlenecks in real time, anticipating team needs and building better systems and workflows to ensure seamless execution.

Strategic growth & local ecosystem alignment

• Partner with leadership: Collaborate with the Detroit Managing Director, Chief Strategy Officer, and Global Head of Business to engage industry and government partners interested in Newlab Detroit.
• Develop durable partnerships: Translate high-level strategic conversations and incoming global interest into durable partnerships through hands-on scoping, proposal development, and structuring new commercial agreements.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience leading complex program delivery, client management, or innovation execution in manufacturing, industrials, or deep tech ecosystems.
• Background in management consulting preferred; educational background in hard sciences or STEM (engineering, physical sciences) helpful, or a demonstrated ability to go deep into complex technologies.
• Proven track record of managing multi-stakeholder programs involving high-level government entities, corporate sponsors, and early-stage technology startups.
• Experience managing cross-functional, distributed teams in a matrixed environment.
• Strong financial literacy with direct experience managing project P&Ls, scoping, and resourcing.
• Outstanding communication, executive presence, and senior partner management skills.
• Performance bonus eligibility
• Comprehensive benefits package with no waiting period