Business Development Executive Director (Hyperscaler Partnerships)

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium's unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.

At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions. Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.

If you have deep experience operating within the Big Tech ecosystem and leading strategic, high value partnerships with hyperscalers and OEMs, you will be excited about the Executive Director, Hyperscaler & OEM Partnerships role with Iridium. In this position, you will drive execution of Authentic's OEM integration strategy across Google, Apple, Samsung, Qualcomm, AWS, Microsoft, and others, ensuring corporate objectives and growth milestones are achieved. Your main focus will be to identify and advance a suite of Authentic solutions and initiatives from POC to full production integration and replicate this model across additional partners. You'll bring passion for building executive relationships, negotiating complex platform level agreements, and shaping how next generation devices adopt satellite connectivity.

Identify and promote different use cases for partnership with the entities listed above
• Foster and develop a highly effective cross functional engagement model between Iridium/Authentic leadership, engineering, product, and hyperscaler/OEM executive stakeholders to accelerate partnership outcomes
• Lead end to end strategic relationships with Google (Android/Pixel), Apple, Samsung, and Qualcomm at VP/SVP and C suite levels, serving as the primary executive interface, and promote integration of the Authentic solution in standard user devices
• Direct the different possible use cases through POC validation, production scoping, commercial negotiation, and final contract execution
• Inform decision making on commercial frameworks including revenue share models, licensing structures, and SLA commitments to support scalable OEM adoption
• Coordinate engineering, technical validation, and integration planning between partner engineering teams and Authentic's product and engineering groups
• Develop strategic business cases that articulate OEM ecosystem value, presenting internally and directly to partner C-suite executives to drive alignment and sponsorship
• Drive repeatable integration motions across OEMs, establishing processes, templates, and governance models for future hyperscaler and chipset partnerships
• Inform product development and management efforts with insights and intelligence on pain points and market requirements
• Ensure clear reporting of pipeline status, deal milestones, and risk assessments directly to the Authentic GM and Iridium senior leadership
• Represent Authentic at industry events, executive summits, and partner briefings, serving as a senior ambassador for Iridium's satellite connectivity strategy

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or related field OR equivalent relevant experience in lieu of degree
• 15+ years of relevant experience in the technology ecosystem and cybersecurity industry
• Established high-level connections and networks within the targe partner ecosystem
• Ability to interface with the management teams of the target partners at all levels, from senior roles to junior roles, business to technical
• Able to understand and simplify complex and vague concepts, confidently drive executive discussions, make high impact decisions, and respond to difficult or ambiguous situations
• Ability to work independently and to focus on achieving results
• Previous management experience
• Capable of being a strong motivator and source of direction for your team and exemplifying commitment to the company's goals
• Excellent leadership qualities and the ability to hold yourself and others accountable for strategic outcomes
• A strategic mindset and the ability to facilitate collaboration across multiple departments and external executive stakeholders
• Skills needed to tackle complex challenges head on, including negotiating multi-party commercial and technical agreements
• Actively looks for growth opportunities to improve how partnerships and integrations are executed

• Experience working at Google, Apple, Samsung, or Qualcomm in a connectivity, hardware, or OEM partnership capacity
• Familiarity with satellite and PNT solutions
• Background supporting high growth startup initiatives or internal venture teams
• Technical fluency in modem architecture, APIs, or connectivity standards

• Be able to work in the office at least 3 or more days a week to foster collaboration with the team and stakeholders
• Be able to travel up to 40%
• This position directly performs under, supports, or is exposed to a U.S. government contract. To comply with the requirements of that U.S. government contract, applicants for this position must be U.S. citizen

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium's Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Base Pay Range: $235,000 - $306,000 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role. You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.