Director of Strategic Partnerships
mHUB is looking for a Director of Strategic Partnerships, this role is a key member of the development team with responsibilities for developing and maintaining industry partnership and customer opportunities within advanced technologies sectors such as energy, compute, physical AI and medical technology. This is an external-facing role that will support future growth across mHUB’s three business units – its incubator, outsourced R&D consultancy, and accelerator and venture fund – and will support new initiatives to expand lab and deployment infrastructure. This position will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and work in across the different mHUB division sales teams.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Create strategy for expanding value propositions with industry partners and expand mHUB’s product offerings.
Develop a strong understanding of mHUB’s suite of services and programs and differentiated value proposition.
Identify, build, and maintain relationships with industry clients and prospects while identifying cross-selling and up-selling opportunities.
Drive client renewals and engagement growth, financial performance, quality, and client satisfaction.
Establish a keen focus on securing large strategic deals and partnerships that will protect, promote, and enable the company’s interests and long-term sustainability.
Establish Business Development KPIs and track key metrics which align with the strategy and focus on leading indicators of retention and business expansions and lagging indicators of profitability per client.
Strategically target companies, network, and participate in key industry events and conferences to identify new growth opportunities.
Collaborate with department leaders across mHUB including Marketing, Programs & Engagement, Hardtech Development Services, and Venture team to develop plans to meet annual and long-term performance goals for client growth and financial performance.
Prepare and peer review proposals and contracts.
Support development and ongoing adoption of customer relations management systems.
Support board engagement with the Corporate Partnership & Development committee, including but not limited to agenda setting, reporting, board activation, etc.
Support the development of all revenue targets across all revenue-generating activities.
Develop monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for leadership and maintain appropriate ongoing projections and goal-setting.
Develop an annual development-related expense budget based on quarterly spending and seek to minimize expenses as appropriate.
Demonstrate ability to operate successfully in the c-suite as well as with technology leaders of multi-billion-dollar companies, developing relationships at the executive level.
Perform other related duties as assigned or as responsibilities dictate.
Qualifications
8+ years of business development experience, primarily in manufacturing, consulting, and technology; with 5+ years of direct management experience.
Bachelor’s degree required; engineering degree preferred; MBA a plus.
Fundamental and technical understanding of manufacturing and hardtech innovation and emerging energy, medical, and physical AI.
Entrepreneurial mindset – ability to plan, build, and cultivate a new market.
Leadership capabilities to successfully work cross-functionally and collaboratively.
Significant client relationship, influencing, and management experience.
Excellent organizational skills as well as written and verbal communication skills.
Expert-level proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Experience with entrepreneurship, community development, or economic development.
Have a passion for driving aggressive growth opportunities.
Experience with fostering an environment of team selling and leveraging a consultative approach with corporate partners
Ability to take complicated technical concepts and translate them to a general audience in a compelling, succinct manner.
Salary and Duration
This position is full-time and open for immediate hire
This position will be onsite/in-person at mHUB’s facility in Chicago
Competitive benefits package: $110K to $135K base salary + bonus + carried interest pools
How to apply
Submit your resume and cover letter to info@mhub.org with Director of Strategic Partnerships in the subject line.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
About Us
mHUB is the nation’s leading independent innovation center dedicated to accelerating hardtech development—where physical products are designed, built, and launched to solve real-world challenges in energy, health, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. At the intersection of innovation and industry, mHUB incubates high-potential startups to commercialize critical technologies faster and with intention. Based in Chicago, mHUB operates an 80,000+ square-foot prototyping and micro-factory alongside deep technical and entrepreneurial mentorship, a robust investor and pilot network, and U.S.-based suppliers and manufacturing expertise. Since launching in 2017, mHUB has supported over 1,200 entrepreneurs and 500 startups that have generated more than $1.96B in revenue, launched over 1,700 products, created nearly 7,000 jobs, and raised over $2B in capital. mHUB plays a critical role in strengthening U.S. competitiveness and building the physical future from the heart of the Midwest.