Vice President Strategic Partnerships US

Vice President Strategic Partnerships US

imec is the world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. The combination of our widely acclaimed leadership in semiconductor nanotechnology is what makes us unique. By leveraging our world class infrastructure and local and global ecosystem of partners across a multitude of industries, we create ground-breaking innovation in a wide range of application domains.

Future societal and macroeconomic advancements increasingly rely on deep tech innovation, nanotechnology, and AI capabilities powered by breakthroughs in semiconductor technology such as: transistor scaling to Angstrom, 3D stacking, hybrid bonding, new memory solutions, novel compute architectures, photonic IC's, quantum computing, quantum sensing, connectivity technologies, GaN are among many other imec R&D innovations. In this context, imec seeks to bolster its global leadership and enhance its presence in US by adding a high-calibre team member. To sustain our growth trajectory, we are seeking a Vice President Strategic Partnerships for the US Region.

As a trusted partner for companies, start-ups and universities we bring together over 6000 brilliant minds from almost 100 nationalities. imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium and also has distributed R&D groups at a number of Belgian universities, in the Netherlands & USA and offices in USA, Germany, India, Taiwan, Korea and Japan.

The VP Strategic Partnerships US is tasked with developing and nurturing relationships with imec's esteemed clients in this region and acts as the highest representation of imec in the region and you will also represent IC-Link (ASIC and foundry services) in the region - mandated by the Sector. Together with the regional partnership managers team, the VP Strategic Partnerships engages with customers, offering comprehensive insights into imec's cutting-edge technologies to establish strategic alliances.

As a VP Strategic Partnerships US, you will be an integral part of imec's business organization, supporting the different cross-functional teams to expand strategic relationships with both new & existing clients, with a focus on growing our business across all industry sectors. You are accountable for revenue and strategic objectives of the US region. You are the local leadership for the local business teams across all imec activities.

As a VP Strategic Partnerships at imec, you will represent a global research group within the largest semiconductor ecosystem. You will have the opportunity to contribute to technology roadmaps feedback capturing from industry across all technology areas from a business perspective.

To succeed in this role, you will:

• Driving new business generation (lead and new opportunity generation):
• Map imec technology R&D roadmaps onto client business product strategies and help define Sales & BD plans including specific target accounts based on imec offerings. The focus will be on innovation across different industries including Compute & Memory Technologies & Systems, Industry & Consumer (including Space & Defense, Robotics, Energy, etc.), Automotive, Healthcare, ASIC services, and imec silicon fab capabilities in general.
• Develop client engagements towards a mutual understanding of strategic partnering. Engage at various levels and with multiple stakeholders within current or prospective clients to translate this strategic understanding into qualified opportunities. Support the technical and business buy-in from a Key Account Management perspective. As such, you expand imec visibility at senior level across all activities.
• Promote and represent imec's technological advancements at industry conferences. Participate in networking groups and attend events.
• Steer the opportunity validation and ensure closing:
• Work with and operate within full alignment with the different Sector Cross Functional Teams to define the right actions supporting opportunity validation and closing
• Serve as a trusted advisor to client management, supporting business negotiations and deal closure alongside imec cross-functional teams
• Build client intimacy:
• Build and strengthen client relationships by fostering client engagements to expand imec's presence through up selling and cross-selling, leading to multi-year agreements.
• Conduct strategic account reviews with internal and client management to create long-term key account plans. Identify partnership and revenue growth opportunities within the imec portfolio and present recommendations.
• Setup and maintain strong alignment between client and imec senior management.

You will interact with senior management decision-makers, industry leaders, and experts to build collaborations that shape the future. This position offers flexibility, working in a multi-disciplinary team in an international culture, and opportunities for continuous learning. You act as local leadership for the different teams, operating in a cross-functional team setup.

In exchange for your skills, passion, and expertise, you will join an organization with various challenges. Our working environment provides opportunities to take initiative. This is your chance to contribute to technology that will influence future society. Your contributions and those of your colleagues make imec prominent in its field. As expected from a leading organization, we offer an attractive compensation package to reward your efforts and commitment.

Who you are:

• A master's degree in technology, engineering, or related fields, along with strong business acumen and a passion for technology innovation, is required. A PhD is not necessary for this position.
• Demonstrated leadership in deep tech innovation in one or more industries is highly valued. Experience in semiconductor R&D is an advantage.
• The candidate should be comfortable with a cross-functional team setup, multi-level, multi-stakeholder client interactions and enjoy developing and nurturing client relationships.
• Familiarity with the Miller Heimann methodology and tools is beneficial.
• We are seeking an individual with over 15 years of experience in sales, business development and/or product development, with a strong interest in driving strategic partnership development.
• The ideal candidate will be someone who genuinely enjoys building client interactions, with a focus on driving impact through customer engagement, long-term relationships, technology leadership, and revenue growth.
• The candidate should have a thorough understanding of multi-stakeholder engagements, cross-functional teams within larger companies to drive client partnerships.
• Ideally, this individual will possess an established network that includes contact with large companies.
• A network in the semiconductor industry and an understanding of various market dynamics and cultures across US would be advantageous.
• You can think strategically to enhance customer engagement and negotiate at senior levels.
• You have strong organizational, planning, verbal, written communication, and analytical skills. You are a team player with a can-do attitude.
• You excel in presentations and interpersonal skills.
• You report into the SVP Global Business Development & Partnerships
• Location : San Jose imec office, US. Willingness to travel frequently.