Commercial Development Director Jobs
Commercial Development Director jobs are open across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, technology, and industrial manufacturing, at every level from early-career specialist to vice president, with specializations in licensing, partnerships, M&A strategy, and business development. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find JobsLooking for remote work? View remote commercial development director jobs →Overview
Showing 5 of 48+ Commercial Development Director jobs
ABOUT ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Rocket Lab's Business Development team is responsible for connecting customers across government and commercial sectors with our industry leading mission solutions spanning launch and space systems. They work closely with new and existing customers to understand their needs and develop tailored solutions to deliver their missions. Building and maintaining relationships with customers and internally with engineering and operations teams is at the core of our Business Development team. They have their fingers on the pulse of the space industry and are driven to deliver results for our customers and our business.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR – CIVIL & COMMERCIAL
Based at Rocket Lab's site in Tucson, AZ, as the Business Development Director, you will drive Rocket Lab's growth in the satellite market. You will work with a range of customers, but primarily focused on civil and commercial opportunities such as government civil space agencies, research institutions, Earth observation, and technology companies. Your role will involve identifying and engaging with potential clients, developing strategic partnerships, and leading efforts to secure contracts that expand our market share in this rapidly growing sector.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Lead business development initiatives focused on satellite solutions for civil and commercial applications
- Develop and execute capture strategies for securing large commercial or civil space contracts,
- Engage with key customer stakeholders to build and maintain long-term relationships, ensuring Rocket Lab's solutions align with their evolving needs
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prepare and deliver compelling proposals that meet customer requirements and win new business
- Monitor industry trends and competitor activities to inform and adapt our business development strategies
- Grow existing business opportunities and nurture relationships with existing customers to develop additional business opportunities
- Create new business opportunities and relationships by presenting Rocket Lab's capabilities/experience to provide satellite solutions – including bus offerings and complete satellites to meet mission requirements
- Lead and/or participate in proposal activities, including generation of technical, management, cost, schedule, and proposal content for new business
- Develop strong relationships across all levels of the business to ensure alignment, efficiency, and collaboration, including coordinating with stakeholders
- Represent Rocket Lab at industry conferences and customer meetings
- Travel as needed for business opportunities
- Other duties as assigned or required
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
- 12+ years of experience in business development, program management, or systems engineering within the aerospace sector
- In-depth knowledge of commercial acquisition processes, government contracting, and the commercial space landscape
- Proven track record of securing large (>$20M) contracts and managing strategic relationships within the aerospace industry
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
- Ability to support frequent domestic and international travel (up to 50%) to meet with clients, attend industry events, and support capture efforts
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Master's degree in aerospace engineering or related engineering field; or business
- Specialization in civil and commercial business development
- Demonstrable record of success in business development, sales, program management and/or engineering of satellite systems, payloads, or platforms
- Extensive awareness of current/ongoing commercial space satellite programs
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
- Experience leading, managing, and growing geographically dispersed teams on fast-paced projects
- Proficient in all Microsoft Suite products, including MS Project
- General knowledge of industry specific technical requirements and quality requirements
- Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) software
- Experience with proposal development, writing, and best practice capture processes, and ability to independently complete cost and technical proposals
- Experience working with subject matter experts to collect and create compelling proposal content and detailed responses
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
Important information:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.
ABOUT ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Rocket Lab's Business Development team is responsible for connecting customers across government and commercial sectors with our industry leading mission solutions spanning launch and space systems. They work closely with new and existing customers to understand their needs and develop tailored solutions to deliver their missions. Building and maintaining relationships with customers and internally with engineering and operations teams is at the core of our Business Development team. They have their fingers on the pulse of the space industry and are driven to deliver results for our customers and our business.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR – CIVIL & COMMERCIAL
Based at Rocket Lab's site in Tucson, AZ, as the Business Development Director, you will drive Rocket Lab's growth in the satellite market. You will work with a range of customers, but primarily focused on civil and commercial opportunities such as government civil space agencies, research institutions, Earth observation, and technology companies. Your role will involve identifying and engaging with potential clients, developing strategic partnerships, and leading efforts to secure contracts that expand our market share in this rapidly growing sector.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Lead business development initiatives focused on satellite solutions for civil and commercial applications
- Develop and execute capture strategies for securing large commercial or civil space contracts,
- Engage with key customer stakeholders to build and maintain long-term relationships, ensuring Rocket Lab's solutions align with their evolving needs
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prepare and deliver compelling proposals that meet customer requirements and win new business
- Monitor industry trends and competitor activities to inform and adapt our business development strategies
- Grow existing business opportunities and nurture relationships with existing customers to develop additional business opportunities
- Create new business opportunities and relationships by presenting Rocket Lab's capabilities/experience to provide satellite solutions – including bus offerings and complete satellites to meet mission requirements
- Lead and/or participate in proposal activities, including generation of technical, management, cost, schedule, and proposal content for new business
- Develop strong relationships across all levels of the business to ensure alignment, efficiency, and collaboration, including coordinating with stakeholders
- Represent Rocket Lab at industry conferences and customer meetings
- Travel as needed for business opportunities
- Other duties as assigned or required
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
- 12+ years of experience in business development, program management, or systems engineering within the aerospace sector
- In-depth knowledge of commercial acquisition processes, government contracting, and the commercial space landscape
- Proven track record of securing large (>$20M) contracts and managing strategic relationships within the aerospace industry
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
- Ability to support frequent domestic and international travel (up to 50%) to meet with clients, attend industry events, and support capture efforts
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Master's degree in aerospace engineering or related engineering field; or business
- Specialization in civil and commercial business development
- Demonstrable record of success in business development, sales, program management and/or engineering of satellite systems, payloads, or platforms
- Extensive awareness of current/ongoing commercial space satellite programs
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
- Experience leading, managing, and growing geographically dispersed teams on fast-paced projects
- Proficient in all Microsoft Suite products, including MS Project
- General knowledge of industry specific technical requirements and quality requirements
- Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) software
- Experience with proposal development, writing, and best practice capture processes, and ability to independently complete cost and technical proposals
- Experience working with subject matter experts to collect and create compelling proposal content and detailed responses
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
Important information:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.
Commercial Development Director Jobs by Experience Level
See All 48 Commercial Development Director Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsCommercial Development Director Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Medical Devices
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Transportation & Logistics
- Manufacturing
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in commercial development director jobs.
- 7 or more years of business development, partnerships, or M&A experience in a commercial role
- Proven ability to structure, negotiate, and close complex multi-party agreements
- Experience building and managing a business development pipeline and reporting on it
- Bachelor's degree in business, finance, life sciences, engineering, or a related field
- Strong financial modeling and deal valuation skills, including NPV and ROI analysis
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally with legal, finance, marketing, and product teams
Tips for Your Commercial Development Director Job Search
Quantify deal value in your resume
Commercial development directors are hired to close deals, so your resume must show the revenue or deal value you've influenced. Replace vague statements about managing partnerships with specific deal sizes, number of agreements executed, or pipeline growth you drove.
Tailor your resume to each sector
The role looks very different in pharma versus enterprise software versus industrial manufacturing. Reframe your experience using the vocabulary of each target sector, licensing in life sciences, channel partnerships in tech, or distribution agreements in manufacturing.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists commercial development director openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target companies at a growth inflection point
Commercial development directors are most often hired when a company is entering new markets, launching a product line, or integrating an acquisition. Look for companies that recently raised funding, completed an M&A transaction, or publicly announced expansion plans.
Prepare a deal narrative for interviews
Interviewers at this level expect you to walk through a complex deal from origination to close. Prepare two or three concise deal narratives that show how you identified the opportunity, structured the terms, managed internal stakeholders, and executed the agreement.
Negotiate total compensation, not just base
At the director level, long-term incentives and bonus structures tied to deal milestones often represent a large share of total compensation. Before accepting an offer, clarify how performance bonuses are calculated, whether equity is offered, and what deal-specific incentives apply.
Commercial Development Director Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most commercial development directors?
The most active employers for commercial development directors right now are Rocket Lab USA, Danaher Corporation, and Revolution Medicines, and the most openings are in Massachusetts, California, and New Jersey, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Activity shifts frequently as companies enter new growth phases, so checking current listings is the most reliable way to see who is actively hiring.
How many commercial development director jobs are remote?
About 95% of commercial development director openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the relationship-heavy nature of the role, which often requires in-person client and partner meetings. Strategy-focused and corporate development functions tend to offer more remote flexibility than roles centered on regional accounts or on-site deal execution.
How do you become a commercial development director?
Most commercial development directors build their path through several years in business development, strategic partnerships, or corporate development before stepping into a director role. The clearest route is to close deals as an individual contributor, demonstrate you can manage a pipeline independently, then take on team leadership or cross-functional project ownership. An MBA or advanced degree accelerates the transition at many companies, particularly in finance-heavy industries.
Can you get hired as a commercial development director without director-level experience?
Some companies will hire a strong senior manager or principal-level candidate directly into a commercial development director role if the person has a documented history of closing significant deals and managing complex stakeholder relationships. The gap is most bridgeable at growth-stage companies that need someone to build a function from scratch rather than inherit a large existing team. Highlighting the scope and value of deals you have led independently carries more weight than title alone.
What does the commercial development director interview process look like?
The process typically runs three to five rounds and includes an initial recruiter screen, a hiring manager conversation focused on your deal history, and a panel interview with cross-functional leaders from finance, legal, and product. Many companies also include a case study or deal scenario exercise where you are asked to evaluate a partnership or licensing opportunity and present your recommendation. Final rounds often involve a conversation with a senior executive or business unit head.
Where can I find and apply to commercial development director jobs?
You can find and apply to commercial development director jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your industry background, deal focus, and seniority level, then apply directly to each opening that fits.
See All 48 Commercial Development Director Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs