Head of Business Development

PLEASE NOTE: This role is targeted for commencement in January 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is open to candidates located outside of Australia and is available as a 100% remote position.

About Us:

Kite Magnetics transforms the efficiency of EV's and all electric motors, delivering efficiency and cost improvements that directly impact the profit, margins and customer differentiation of their vehicles and products. The product applies to all EV motors in electric vehicles - cars and trucks, autonomous vehicles, plus appliances, robotics, cordless and powered tools. Kite Magnetics has developed and patented Aeroperm®, which replaces the common motor cores with this new material, allowing reductions in weight, significant reductions in the total product and system cost, while delivering added performance in torque, range, battery life and energy efficiency.

Position Overview:

The Head of Business Development is a hands-on, senior commercial leader responsible for taking Kite Magnetics’ automotive opportunities from high interest status to signed supply agreements. Your immediate focus is deepening executive, commercial and technical relationships with current automotive OEM and Tier-1 counterparts, progressing live programs through evaluation, prototype supply, RFQ and nomination, and shaping our first long-term supply agreements for Aeroperm stator-core products. You will work directly with the CEO and Chief of Staff on deal strategy and approvals, coordinate closely with engineering and quality to align commercial commitments with delivery readiness, and maintain crisp, stage-based forecasting in HubSpot. You will also support selective top-of-funnel sourcing for priority targets, with limited support to our defence and non-automotive markets. The role is expansive: after the first year you will recruit two business development managers (one automotive, one cross-sector) and establish the operating rhythm for a small, high-performing BD team. Regular international travel is required, with Europe and North America as the initial focus. First supply agreements will be negotiated collaboratively and approved at board level.

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia

Key Responsibilities:

• Own current and new senior relationships at priority OEM and Tier-1 accounts: Maintain account engagement and a structured communications cadence across executive, commercial, and technical stakeholders.
• Drive deals to completion: Lead PO's, NDAs/MoUs/JDAs, guide RFQs and commercial terms, and bring forward well-structured supply agreements that protect IP and deliver the commercial program.
• Track the pipeline: On HubSpot regularly, maintain stage definitions from evaluation to order, and provide accurate, board-ready forecasts (volumes, production dates, pricing frameworks, risks/next actions).
• Align commercial with delivery: Coordinate with engineering and quality on supply, prototype schedules, delivery expectations; ensure specifications, traceability, and change control are captured in contracts.
• Create customer-facing materials: Develop concise decks, one-pagers, datasheets, case studies, FAQs, and tradeshow/website copy; maintain a version-controlled collateral library; tailor content for key accounts.
• Lead market research and competitive assessments: Refresh TAM/SAM views, track competitor offerings, SWOT and positioning, benchmark pricing and terms; deliver quarterly insight briefs that inform pricing, messaging, and roadmap.
• Navigate channels wisely: Sell direct to vertically integrated OEMs; and where OEMs source externally, coordinate with the OEM and relevant Tier-1 suppliers to avoid channel conflict and preserve value.
• Safeguard compliance: Conduct material sanction screening and export-sanctions diligence for accounts and shipments; escalate edge cases if needed.
• Build the team: At month 12, recruit and onboard two Business Development Managers (automotive and cross-sector); install operating workflow (weekly pipeline, quarterly account reviews, playbooks, templates) and coach to consistent execution.
• Represent Kite Magnetics at priority industry events and customer sites; Manage a lean commercial budget for travel, shows, and contracting support.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, a related field, or its equivalent in relevant experience.
• A master's degree, MBA, or equivalent experience is also welcomed.

Experience:

• Significant experience in commercial roles across the automotive industry with OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers.
• Demonstrated success negotiating long-term supply agreements for components or materials.
• Strong working knowledge of production supply and quality programs, RFQ processes, sourcing gates, and program phases from concept through validation and start of production.
• Excellent relationship building relationships, communication and negotiation skills with senior customer stakeholders.
• Experience with HubSpot or general CRM tools and disciplined sales operations practices. Experience integrating into an ERP is valued.
• Existing networks within automotive purchasing, procurement and engineering is valued.

Working arrangements 

• This global role is available as Remote, Hybrid, and On-Site with travel.
• A 30-day onboarding will be undertaken full-time in person, in Melbourne, Australia.
• Flexible hours to support international calls.
• Regular international travel is required, with Europe and North America as the initial focus.

Benefits

• Base salary of AUD 250,000 plus superannuation. 

• Employee Share Option Plan. 

• Performance-based bonus tied to the success measures above. 

• Relocation support available for exceptional candidates. 

• Collaborative and inclusive work environment. 

Kite Magnetics is an equal-opportunity and equal-outcome employer. We celebrate you and the diversity you bring and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees, suppliers, and customers.