Director of Industry Partnerships & Business Development, Critical Materials Crossroads

About the role

The Director of Industry Partnerships & Business Development leads the strategic effort to expand the Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC) ecosystem through strategic industry recruitment, business development, and corporate engagement. As a member of the CMC Executive Leadership Team, the position develops and executes strategies that attract companies across the critical materials value chain to collaborate, innovate, and establish operations within the CMC ecosystem and the Kansas City region.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to recruit domestic and international companies across priority segments of the critical materials value chain

• Manage the business development pipeline and maintain accurate records using customer relationship management tools

• Prepare outreach materials, proposals, presentations, and executive briefings for prospective partners

• Collaborate with regional, state, and national economic development organizations to advance business attraction and industry growth

• Maintain executive-level relationships with existing partners and identify opportunities for expanded collaboration, investment, and growth

• Facilitate connections among industry, academia, government, workforce organizations, and economic development partners

• Develop and coordinate customized partner-engagement plans, meetings, briefings, and follow-up activities

• Track partner participation, commitments, opportunities, and next steps

• Analyze market conditions, industry needs, and competitive activity to identify strategic growth opportunities

• Prepare market assessments, executive reports, and recommendations that inform organizational priorities

• Represent CMC before industry, government, academic, economic development, and community stakeholders

• Support annual planning, goal setting, performance measurement, and executive-level partnership discussions

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 6 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. security clearance

• Strongly Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible professional experience

  • Demonstrated experience in business development, strategic partnerships, corporate relations, economic development, or industry engagement

  • Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills

  • Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Materials Science, Public Administration, Economic Development, Marketing, or a related field

  • Seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in business development, industry partnerships, corporate strategy, or economic development

  • Experience in the critical materials, mining, processing, recycling, advanced manufacturing, energy, defense, or industrial supply chain sectors

  • Knowledge of domestic critical materials supply chains and advanced manufacturing markets

  • Experience working with corporate site selection, business attraction, or regional economic development initiatives

  • Success building public-private partnerships involving industry, academia, and government

  • Experience representing organizations before executive leadership, corporate boards, or public officials

  • Strong strategic planning, negotiation, and relationship management skills

  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required

  • Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment requiring independent judgment and initiative

Pay

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $100,000 to $130,000 annually. Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Schedule

This position is 100% grant/externally funded and is contingent on continued funding.