VP of Business Development (Data Centers)

SBT; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm is seeking an experienced executive to drive strategic customer engagement and business development in AI infrastructure. The role requires deep relationships with key industry players and a proven track record in negotiating high-value deals. Success in a startup environment is essential. Excellent communication and executive presence are crucial for influencing stakeholders at all levels.

Qualifications

• Deep existing relationships with hyperscalers and networking OEMs.
• Proven track record of closing multi-million-dollar deals.
• Experience in high-growth startups with hands-on responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Drive design wins into purchase orders through strategic engagement.
• Cultivate executive-level relationships across key sectors.
• Lead initiatives to identify market opportunities in AI fabrics.

Skills

Relationship building with key customers

Negotiating commercial deals

Business development in emerging markets

Excellent communication

Ability to influence at executive level

Job description

Overview

This confidential, well-funded startup company is developing next-generation solutions aimed at solving bandwidth and connectivity challenges in advanced computing systems. Their core technology enables high-speed, scalable data movement to support emerging infrastructure demands that power AI workloads.

SBT is the exclusive executive recruiting firm for this confidential position.

Responsibilities

• Drive the conversion of design wins into commercial purchase orders through strategic customer engagement and value-driven selling
• Cultivate, expand, and sustain strong executive-level relationships with key customers across hyperscale, AI infrastructure, and semiconductor verticals
• Serve as a trusted, system-level commercial partner to customers, building internal champions and aligning our roadmap with their strategic goals
• Lead new business development (NBD) initiatives to identify, define, and capture emerging market opportunities in AI fabrics, memory, and optical interconnects
• Collaborate closely with the CEO and product leadership to transform the product roadmap into a customer-facing vision and go-to-market strategy

Qualifications

• Deep existing relationships with relevant customer segments (e.g., hyperscalers, networking OEMs, AI/ML infrastructure providers, silicon vendors)
• Proven track record of driving design wins to revenue, including negotiating and closing multi-million-dollar commercial deals with Tier 1 customers
• Demonstrated success in building new business opportunities in emerging or adjacent markets, particularly around system-level solutions
• Experience working in a high-growth startup or scaling-stage company, with a willingness to be hands-on and accountable
• Excellent communication and executive presence; ability to influence at the VP/CXO level both internally and externally
• Ability to occasionally travel on-site may be required based on experience

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering, Sales, and Business Development

Industries

• Semiconductor Manufacturing and Computer Hardware Manufacturing