Manager, Corporate Development & Strategy

Job description

What you'll do Niron Magnetics is seeking a Manager of Corporate Development to serve as a hands-on execution partner to the senior leadership team as the company scales toward high-volume production. This role sits at the intersection of capital formation, government financing, strategic partnerships, and corporate strategy — building the models, materials, and analysis that inform decisions made by the CEO, CFO, and Board. This is a builder's role, not a supervisory one. The right person is early enough in their career to want to own the work directly, and senior enough to be trusted with it. You will report to the Senior Director of Corporate Development and work daily with executives across commercial, finance, technology, and operations. Capital Formation and Investor Relations • Support the execution of Niron's equity and debt financings end to end: financial models, investor materials, diligence trackers, data room management, and pipeline coordination. • Build and maintain the analytical backbone of the fundraise — capitalization scenarios, use-of-proceeds models, unit economics, and long-range operating cases. • Draft investor-facing narrative and Board materials that translate technical and manufacturing progress into a clear commercial story. • Coordinate diligence responses across finance, commercial, technical, and legal stakeholders, holding the process to deadline. Government and Strategic Financing • Support applications, information requests, and ongoing reporting obligations across federal and state financing programs, grants, and loan facilities. • Assemble the customer, pricing, and demand data required by government and institutional counterparties, working closely with the commercial team. • Track policy and appropriations developments relevant to domestic critical materials and permanent magnet supply chains, and translate them into implications for Niron. Corporate Strategy and Market Analysis • Build market sizing, segmentation, and demand models across Niron's target end markets, including motors, industrial, defense, and consumer applications. • Own competitive intelligence on the global magnet supply chain, rare earth pricing dynamics, and alternative material entrants. • Produce analyses that inform capacity planning, pricing strategy, capital allocation, and go-to-market sequencing. Partnerships and Inorganic Growth • Support the structuring and negotiation of commercial agreements — joint development agreements, supply agreements, and offtake arrangements — including comparable transaction benchmarking and term analysis. • Screen and evaluate inorganic opportunities such as acquisitions, joint ventures, and licensing arrangements as the company grows. • Prepare negotiation materials, valuation analyses, and structure options for executive and Board review. What We're Looking For • 2–6 years of experience in investment banking, private equity or growth equity, corporate development, corporate strategy, or top-tier management consulting. • Demonstrated ownership of financial models built from scratch — not just maintenance of someone else's file. • Excellent written communication, with the ability to produce Board- and investor-quality materials with minimal editing. • A track record of managing multi-workstream processes to hard external deadlines. • Proven ability to manage stakeholders across functions and levels of seniority without direct authority — pulling inputs from engineering, manufacturing, commercial, finance, and legal, and holding people to a schedule while doing it. • Ability to work fluently across technical and commercial content, and to translate engineering and manufacturing progress into language investors and partners understand. • Comfort operating in an ambiguous, fast-moving, early-stage environment with limited process and high accountability. • Low ego and a willingness to work at any altitude, from Board strategy to formatting the appendix. • Strong proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with CRM and data tooling a plus. • Based in or willing to relocate to the Twin Cities. This role is on-site at our Minneapolis headquarters [confirm on-site expectation and any relocation support]. Nice to Have • Experience in hard tech, advanced manufacturing, materials, automotive, or defense sectors. • Direct experience executing a venture or growth equity round from the company side. • Familiarity with government financing and procurement processes, including federal loan programs, grants, and defense-related funding mechanisms. • Working knowledge of critical minerals, permanent magnets, electric motors, or adjacent supply chains. • Advanced degree in business, engineering, economics, or a related field, or a CFA designation. • Passion for clean tech, sustainable materials, or climate-positive innovation. Our pay and benefits • Salary $130,000 — 150,000 • Equity position in Niron via stock option grant • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance • Mental healthcare • 401k plan with company match • Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays • Experience in a fun, high-performing, manufacturing environment Recruiters and Employment Agencies: Please note that Niron Magnetics does not accept unsolicited resumes from external agencies. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our career site, hiring managers, or employees will be considered the property of Niron Magnetics. Consequently, we reserve the right to hire these candidates at our discretion without any financial obligation to the submitting agency. The following notices apply only to positions involving access to export-controlled technology, technical data, or CUI as determined by the nature of the role and applicable program requirements Export Control / ITAR Notice This position may require access to information, technology, or technical data controlled under U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR, 22 C.F.R. Parts 120–130) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR, 15 C.F.R. Parts 730–774), as well as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) as defined under 32 C.F.R. Part 2002. Where such access is required, the Company will evaluate all available license exceptions and exemptions before determining that a formal export authorization is necessary. If an export authorization is required, the Company will determine, based on legitimate business and regulatory considerations alone, whether to pursue one. The Company is not obligated to seek an export authorization in every circumstance, and any decision regarding authorization will never be based on a candidate's citizenship status, immigration status, or national origin. Each candidate's eligibility will be evaluated individually through a consistent, documented review process. The Company complies fully with all applicable federal anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.), the anti-discrimination provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1324b), and Executive Order 11246 as implemented by 41 C.F.R. Part 60. The Company does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, citizenship status, or immigration status in any aspect of employment. Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) This role may involve access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Candidates selected for roles involving CUI will be required to comply with all applicable safeguarding and handling requirements, including those under NIST SP 800-171 and any governing contractual obligations. About Niron Niron Magnetics is commercializing the first new magnetic material in decades powered by its breakthrough material formulation and advanced manufacturing process. The company’s proprietary magnet technology based on Iron Nitride enables magnets that are inherently high magnetization, free of rare earths and other critical materials, and solve supply chain reliability challenges, will drive innovation in various industries. Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, Niron Magnetics is comprised of a team of professionals with a desire to make a positive impact on the global community. We were named one of “America's Top GreenTech Companies” for 2024 and 2025 by TIME Magazine and the “Innovation of the Year” at the 2025 mHUB Fourth Revolution Awards. Our team is made up of people who think big, dare to innovate, and strive to impact the planet through technological innovation for our customers. Ready to work alongside amazing people, solve complex problems, and leave a legacy? Join our team.