Director of Business Development & Partnerships

Sea Ahead is a Cambridge, MA-based firm focused on accelerating and investing in ocean-focused startups with the mission of generating outsized returns and lasting ocean impact. Our work involves two strategies – accelerator programs to help new founders establish product‑market fit and launch viable startups, and investments to help promising ventures scale faster.

Our ecosystem includes technologists, scientists, startups, foundations, corporations, governments, investors, and other ocean stakeholders who come together to scale commercially viable technologies for ocean-related industries.

Our focus areas include shipping and ports, aquaculture and fisheries, ocean intelligence, dual‑use defense technologies, offshore renewable energy, scalable solutions for ocean pollution, and ocean‑centric approaches to climate change including coastal resilience technologies.

Blue Swell is Sea Ahead's accelerator for early‑stage bluetech startups at the beginning of their commercialization journey. Now in its sixth cohort, Blue Swell provides intensive support on product‑market fit, capital formation, branding, team building, executive leadership, and governance, backed by Sea Ahead's broad blue economy network.

Pilot is Sea Ahead's program for startups that are ready to pilot with real‑world customers. Corporate sponsors engage with the program to access vetted bluetech startups and work with startup teams to develop structured pilots aligned with customers’ strategic priorities. Sea Ahead acts as matchmaker and program architect, creating value for sponsors and startups alike.

We are seeking an experienced Director of Business Development & Partnerships to own and grow Sea Ahead's commercial and institutional relationships. This is a senior individual contributor role responsible for generating the corporate sponsor ships, public sector relationships, and foundation partnerships that underpin Sea Ahead's revenue. Knowledge generated will also support our investment due diligence and portfolio value creation.

This person will report directly to the CEO and operate with significant independence. The right candidate brings an existing network in the blue economy, climate, or corporate innovation space, and has the credibility and confidence to represent Sea Ahead in senior‑level conversations without requiring executive accompaniment.

• Own end‑to‑end business development for the Pilot program: identify, qualify, and close corporate sponsors whose strategic priorities align with the capabilities of the bluetech startups in Sea Ahead's ecosystem
• Develop a deep understanding of sponsor needs, challenges, and innovation priorities — translating these into intelligence that informs how Sea Ahead recruits and selects startups for each Pilot cycle
• Manage the full sponsor relationship lifecycle from initial outreach through program engagement and renewal
• Work closely with the Program Manager to ensure sponsor expectations are set and met throughout each program cycle

• Identify and pursue broader institutional partnerships that can expand Sea Ahead's reach, credibility, and program capacity including with corporations, research institutions, government agencies, and other ecosystem players
• Develop market and partner intelligence that helps Sea Ahead understand what skills, sectors, and startup profiles are most valuable to recruit into programs
• Own the stewardship of existing corporate, public sector and foundation partners: ensure reporting obligations are met, relationships are maintained, and Sea Ahead remains a trusted and visible partner in their portfolios
• Work with the CEO to develop and submit grant applications and funding proposals where institutional relationships are relevant
• Represent Sea Ahead at industry conferences, demo days, and sector events to maintain visibility across the blue economy

• 5+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or a related commercial role with a demonstrated track record of independently closing partnerships, sponsor ships, or B2B sales…