Business Development Director

Job description

Requisition Number: 77505 The company built on breakthroughs. ​ Join us.​ Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible. ​ How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations – not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward. ​ ​At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.​ ​ Come break through with us. Corning’s businesses are ever-evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets. We are changing the world with: Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions Role Purpose The incumbent will lead new business creation for Corning across India, Middle East and Africa by identifying and advancing high-potential opportunities beyond current customers, applications, and business plans. The role will engage senior external stakeholders—CXOs, promoters, technology leaders, and ecosystem partners—to understand emerging needs, create access, and connect opportunities with Corning technologies and capabilities. Working across Corning businesses and functions, the incumbent will move opportunities from discovery through validation, business case development, partnership exploration, and commercialization to create meaningful medium- to long-term revenue streams in IMEA. Key Responsibilities New Opportunity Identification & Pipeline Development • Identify high-potential opportunities across IMEA beyond current customers, applications, and business plans. • Track market, customer, application, and technology shifts relevant to Corning growth. • Build a focused opportunity pipeline with clear hypotheses, strategic recommendations, and medium- to long-term revenue potential. Customer, CXO & Ecosystem Engagement • Build senior relationships with CXOs, promoters, technology leaders, large business groups, and ecosystem partners across IMEA. • Create access for Corning in organizations, markets, and applications where it has limited presence. • Understand external priorities, customer problems, technology roadmaps, and emerging needs while representing Corning credibly. Cross-Business Opportunity Shaping • Work across Corning businesses and technology platforms, not as a single-product representative. • Connect customer needs and market opportunities with relevant Corning technologies, capabilities, and solutions. • Align technical, commercial, and leadership stakeholders to evaluate and shape promising opportunities. Business Case Development & Commercialization Support • Advance opportunities from discovery through validation, partnership exploration, business case development, and commercialization planning. • Assess market attractiveness, customer relevance, technical feasibility, strategic fit, scalability, and long-term value. • Prepare compelling business cases and recommendations for regional and global leadership. • Transition mature opportunities to the appropriate Corning business and support progress to scale as required. Strategic Growth Focus • Explore emerging and adjacent spaces such as AI/data infrastructure, advanced electronics, mobility, aerospace and drones, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing. • Maintain a forward-looking view of market evolution and recommend focus areas for engagement, partnerships, or commercialization. Cross-functional Leadership & Stakeholder Alignment • Collaborate with regional/global business leaders and cross-functional teams across commercial, strategy, finance, legal, supply chain, regulatory, and technology. • Operate effectively in a matrix to align stakeholders across businesses, functions, and geographies. • Communicate opportunity status, risks, decisions, and support requirements to build momentum around priority growth opportunities. Experiences/Education - Required • Technical undergraduate degree in Engineering or related discipline; MBA from a reputed business school preferred. • 15–20 years of experience in business development, new business creation, strategic partnerships, technology commercialization, commercial strategy, or complex B2B environments. • Proven ability to identify and develop opportunities with strong commercial acumen • Track record of engaging CXOs, senior decision-makers, customers, and technical stakeholders with credibility and executive presence. • Experience operating in multinational, matrix environments and influencing without direct authority across businesses, functions, and geographies. • Strong technical aptitude, curiosity, and learning agility to assess early-stage opportunities and connect external needs with enterprise capabilities. • Entrepreneurial mindset, sound judgment in ambiguous environments, and ability to manage medium- to long-term opportunity horizons. • Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills; willingness to travel across India, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally as required. PURPOSE STATEMENT: The incumbent will lead new business creation for Corning across India, Middle East and Africa by identifying and advancing high-potential opportunities beyond current customers, applications, and business plans. The role will engage senior external stakeholders—CXOs, promoters, technology leaders, and ecosystem partners—to understand emerging needs, create access, and connect opportunities with Corning technologies and capabilities. Working across Corning businesses and functions, the incumbent will move opportunities from discovery through validation, business case development, partnership exploration, and commercialization to create meaningful medium- to long-term revenue streams in IMEA. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES: New Opportunity Identification & Pipeline Development Identify high-potential opportunities across IMEA beyond current customers, applications, and business plans. Track market, customer, application, and technology shifts relevant to Corning growth. Build a focused opportunity pipeline with clear hypotheses, strategic recommendations, and medium- to long-term revenue potential. Customer, CXO & Ecosystem Engagement Build senior relationships with CXOs, promoters, technology leaders, large business groups, and ecosystem partners across IMEA. Create access for Corning in organizations, markets, and applications where it has limited presence. Understand external priorities, customer problems, technology roadmaps, and emerging needs while representing Corning credibly. Cross-Business Opportunity Shaping Work across Corning businesses and technology platforms, not as a single-product representative. Connect customer needs and market opportunities with relevant Corning technologies, capabilities, and solutions. Align technical, commercial, and leadership stakeholders to evaluate and shape promising opportunities. Business Case Development & Commercialization Support Advance opportunities from discovery through validation, partnership exploration, business case development, and commercialization planning. Assess market attractiveness, customer relevance, technical feasibility, strategic fit, scalability, and long-term value. Prepare compelling business cases and recommendations for regional and global leadership. Transition mature opportunities to the appropriate Corning business and support progress to scale as required. Strategic Growth Focus Explore emerging and adjacent spaces such as AI/data infrastructure, advanced electronics, mobility, aerospace and drones, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing. Maintain a forward-looking view of market evolution and recommend focus areas for engagement, partnerships, or commercialization. Cross-functional Leadership & Stakeholder Alignment Collaborate with regional/global business leaders and cross-functional teams across commercial, strategy, finance, legal, supply chain, regulatory, and technology. Operate effectively in a matrix to align stakeholders across businesses, functions, and geographies. Communicate opportunity status, risks, decisions, and support requirements to build momentum around priority growth opportunities. Key Outcomes / Success Measures High-quality opportunities identified beyond existing business plans Access created to key customers, decision-makers, and ecosystem stakeholders Robust IMEA pipeline progressed from discovery to validation, business case, and commercialization Internal alignment secured around priority opportunities and execution support Strategic recommendations accepted by leadership and selected opportunities converted into future revenue streams EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Technical undergraduate degree in Engineering or related discipline; MBA from a reputed business school preferred. 15–20 years of experience in business development, new business creation, strategic partnerships, technology commercialization, commercial strategy, or complex B2B environments. Proven ability to identify and develop opportunities with strong commercial acumen Track record of engaging CXOs, senior decision-makers, customers, and technical stakeholders with credibility and executive presence. Experience operating in multinational, matrix environments and influencing without direct authority across businesses, functions, and geographies. Strong technical aptitude, curiosity, and learning agility to assess early-stage opportunities and connect external needs with enterprise capabilities. Entrepreneurial mindset, sound judgment in ambiguous environments, and ability to manage medium- to long-term opportunity horizons. Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills; willingness to travel across India, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally as required.