Business Development Executive Director (Hyperscaler Partnerships)

Company Overview Iridium is an award-winning satellite communications company operating the world's only truly global voice and data network, delivering reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. For more than 20 years, Iridium has powered mission-critical communications for governments, businesses, aviation, maritime, and the rapidly expanding Internet of Things. Now part of Iridium, Aireon is the world’s only space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time visibility of aircraft over oceans, the poles, and remote regions. Together, Iridium and Aireon are helping build a safer, more connected, and more efficient future for global aviation. Join our team and help shape how the world stays connected. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where employees are empowered to innovate, grow professionally, and make a meaningful impact. What We’re Looking For: 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. What You’ll Do: 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 What You’ll Need to Succeed: 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 Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table: 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 We’ll also need you to: Be able to work in the office at least 4 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 Work Environment: 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