VP of Business Development

VP of Business Development

At iMicrobes, we believe synthetic biology is the key to powering the circular economy and shifting away from petrochemicals. Our mission is to create sustainable, cost-effective chemicals and materials that will accelerate the transition and lead to global adoption. Our pioneering team is inventing, scaling, and deploying technologies to convert waste-derived circular feedstocks, such as biomethane and ethanol, into a wide range of drop-in chemicals for billion-dollar markets.

Our vision for iMicrobes is to be a leader in the sustainable chemical industry, using efficient bioprocesses to enable low-emissions products that win on cost. We have charted a pragmatic path to achieve this goal, and we are seeking an experienced Vice President of Business Development to join us as a partner in this effort.

The VP of Business Development will be an integral part of our growing team, helping to lead the company’s transition from an R&D to a commercial organization. We are seeking a leader, able to lay the foundations for commercial success as we scale our patented biotechnology platform.

The successful applicant will work closely with iMicrobes’ executive management to craft a strategic partnership roadmap and develop compelling business cases. They will spearhead our business development efforts by developing new commercial partnerships. The core aspects of this role include establishing an organized process for identifying and prioritizing partnership opportunities, nurturing customer relationships, pitching collaborative projects, and negotiating mutually beneficial contracts.

About you

We are looking for an innovative problem solver with excellent communication skills and the ability to develop close relationships and forge win-win partnerships with large chemical producers. The ideal candidate will apply a strategic mindset to influence the commercial direction of the company, and to develop plans for bringing our unique technology to market.

Location - This is a remote position requiring regular travel to meet with partners (both domestic and international), attend relevant industry events, and periodically visit our office in Alameda, CA.

What you’ll do:

● Develop strategies for prioritizing chemical targets and identifying key partners

● Cultivate and manage customer relationships

● Lead sales processes for new projects and partnerships

● Represent the company at conferences and customer sites

● Collaborate with the legal team to draft term sheets and partnership contracts

The ideal candidate will have:

● Proven experience in selling large contracts to corporations with multiple stakeholders, backed by a strong deal sheet

● Strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence and persuade stakeholders at various levels

● Extensive knowledge of the chemical industry and chemical value chains

● A robust network of contacts within the chemical production industry

● Basic understanding of patents and intellectual property

About Us

iMicrobes is developing bio-manufacturing methods that can produce sustainable materials that have both reduced costs and reduced environmental impacts. Our processes use custom microbes with metabolic abilities not found in nature. We work with partners to scale our microbes to get products into the market where they can make a real impact. See more at www.imicrobes.com

Our Values

● Leave the world greener – Replacing toxic processes with sustainable ones.

● Focus on the half full – Be constructive and focus on the solutions.

● Take ownership – Seek advice but decide for yourself.

● Data win – Educate yourself on relevant data.

● Keep your sense of wonder – Be curious, ask questions.

● Communicate early and often – Clear the air, cultivate appreciation, and practice listening.

● Unfinished over unsafe – Caution is a habit. Better to wait and find a safe way.

● Be yourself – We like it that way!

Ensuring a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace (DEI) where we learn from each other is central to our culture. There’s a lack of diversity in our industry and that needs to change. iMicrobes is deeply committed to DEI in all our practices. Achieving our mission depends on our ability to build a positive and supportive team of people with different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. Candidates in underrepresented and marginalized groups are encouraged to apply.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer; all are welcome to apply.