Senior Manager, Business Development

Summary:

We are seeking a skilled and highly motivated Business Development professional with 10+ years of experience in the Automotive sector working at the intersection between tech and business, who understands technical aspects (preferred), to join Vay's business and corporate team and report directly to the Chief Business Officer.  

This role will own and lead the relationships with Automotive OEM customers and partners. Given that we are a series-B company now commercialising five years of technology development, it will be fast-paced and high-profile within the organisation and with investors. You will be expected to deliver reports for Vay’s executive leadership and Board. 

You will bring an established global network across Auto OEMs. Your deep understanding of OEM workings, timelines, and processes enables you to sell technical solutions effectively to them. A strong technical understanding allows you to drive ambitious partnerships.

The role:

Lead Vay’s Auto OEM engagements and partnerships with the following strengths: 

• Established network: Bring an established network across Auto OEMs globally. Have Ins to most key players in Europe, the US and Asia. Understand Auto OEM's market positioning and strategic direction to identify the right target customers and partners. 
• Strong execution and follow-up: Ensure delivery of Vay’s ambitious partnership targets. This requires a wide reach out, doubling down on potential key partners, and getting key deals signed. This role will regularly inform the C-Suite of the progress.
• Experience Pitching: Professionally pitch Vay’s technology to Auto OEMs. Audiences include Engineering, Commercial, Sales, Marketing, Brand teams, and the C-suite.
• Strong Business Acumen: Understand the unit economics of Auto OEMs and how Vay will deliver beneficial economics (revenue and margin). 
• Industry Expertise: You must have a deep understanding of how Auto OEMs work, including decision processes, production timelines and steps, and technical requirements, to build realistic but ambitious paths to partnerships.
• Excellent Stakeholder Collaboration: Vay is a flat organisation with high autonomy. You will be expected to work closely with cross-functional teams and, at times, take ownership beyond your immediate role.

The profile:

• Undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Engineering or a related field. 
• Master's degree or MBA is a plus.
• At least ten years of proven experience doing business development and negotiating with the Automotive OEMs.
• Ability to prioritise across multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and present insights to stakeholders.
• Understanding of CRM and pipeline management.
• Strong reporting skills.

Our values:

• We pioneer change: At Vay, we’re doing work that has never been done before. This comes with challenges, frustrations and failures along the way. We embrace these challenges through perseverance and innovation, delivering creative solutions to overcome them.
• We fuel collaboration: At Vay, we work as a team and strive for a common goal. We celebrate diversity and encourage different opinions. Our teams and partners communicate and collaborate openly. Together we build, improve, and grow.
• We drive action: At Vay, everyone takes pride and commitment in their role for every task and every challenge. We are biassed towards action and get behind the steering wheel, even when there is none. We are empowered to take initiative and drive it to completion.
• We build trust: At Vay, we consistently do the right thing, and follow through on our commitments to stakeholders, users and society. We understand their expectations and always respond in a way that feels human and respectful. We always put safety first and safety second.
• We create magic: At Vay, we don’t just make things that work, we build products people love. We create unexpected and delightful moments for our riders. We design end-to-end experiences that leave a lasting expression.

Additional benefits:

• You’ll be joining a highly committed, experienced, fun, and international team from over 30 countries. The team has previously worked at companies such as Tesla, Google, Waymo, Zoox, Byton, Argo, Amazon, Uber as well as Audi, BMW, and Daimler and has founded various companies before
• You would be a part of solving transportation in metropolitan areas all over the world – from Europe
• We organise thoughtful & fun team events throughout the year
• We provide healthy snacks, drinks, and coffee at our waterfront office in Berlin
• Company ESOP (stock options)